Ask the Edit: Jersey Dresses for Summer
Jun 28, 2018
Hi Abra,
I don’t spend much money on my weekend wear because I need all the money for work clothes. Last summer, you convinced me to start wearing jersey dresses, and they were perfect for me. The trouble is that I haven’t seen many for sale this summer that weren’t way too millennial looking for me. I’m 33, and I don’t want armholes that hang to my navel or super short swing dresses. Help a fellow lawyer out?
KC
This summer, I switched it up to wrap dresses. Mostly because I’ve gained a little weight, and they’re a flattering option for that issue. But I still have a few easy jersey dresses for the days when I just want to be casual and comfortable.
I’ve discussed my adoration for Amazon’s Daily Ritual brand before, but this season, they are making some great, basic dresses.
This Jersey V-Neck Dress ($18) is the perfect solution for dog walking, quick coffee runs, pool days, etc.. It also comes in seven colors. Daily Ritual’s jersey tank dress ($15) is also high on my list for being the best post-gym dress (aka. I am not getting dressed again) I’ve ever owned. And for those days when you don’t want a snug fit, this short sleeve swing dress is a good choice.
Daily Ritual also offers plus-size and maternity options.
Other options include this COS a-line jersey dress ($49) with a more modern shape. I’d also check out this James Perse tank dress. And if you like prints, Boden always has a few pretty jersey dresses in vibrant prints.
For something more expensive, but also more durable, try these Michael Stars dresses. I like their Racerback midi-dress and Ruched tank dress.
Plus-size? LL Bean has this versatile v-neck dress, and I like this Ralph Lauren scoopneck maxi dress.
Would these Daily Ritual dresses work on a pear shape? I own their sleeveless gathered dress which I love for my body type, but I was reluctant to try out these other styles.
I’m fairly pear shaped. The t-shirt dress is a little tighter on bottom, but it skims on me instead of constricts.
I just bought three jersey dresses at White House Black Market that are the perfect length and shape. (I’m a size 10/12 and VERY curvy so a lot of jersey dresses either look like tents on me, or are way too short.) Oh! And they have sleeves! Joy! Links to my two favorites:
https://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/product/shortsleeve+black+laceup+knit+shift+dress/570230703?color=001&catId=cat8169279
https://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/product/shortsleeve+stripe+knit+shift+dress/570234691?color=1994&catId=cat8169279
I purchased this jersey dress from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D26Q15Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1. It’s super comfortable and has held up nicely through washing and drying.
In the Daily Ritual price point, I love the jersey dresses from Old Navy. I prefer the swing dresses because I’m an extreme pear and t-shirt dresses that claim to “skim” quickly become body-con on my lower half. I have several of the sleeveless and short sleeved ones and they hit just the right place above my knee (I’m 5′ 6″) and I can wear a regular bra even with the sleeveless.
If you don’t like swing dresses, they also have regular t-shirt dresses on sale for $8 right now.
Do the jersey dresses cling to you in hot/humid weather? If so, any remedies for that problem?
I haven’t experienced that issue, not even in DC in August.