How to Style Summer Dresses: The Best Summer Dresses Under $100 and How to Wear Them

This post will show you how to style summer dresses, with 12 outfit ideas and the best summer dresses under $100.

As soon as the summertime hits, out come the summer dresses. And for good reason!

I love summer dresses because they make getting dressed so easy—instead of worrying about what top matches with what bottoms, just throw a dress on, and you’re all set. Plus, even the most casual of dresses still makes you look put-together (especially compared to shorts).

And let’s face it: the less time you need to spend on your outfit, the more time you can spend doing all the fun summer activities you’ve been waiting for all year!

So to make things easy for you, I’ve rounded up some of the cutest summer dresses under $100 and will be showing you how to style them, with 12 outfit ideas you can wear all season long.

How to Style a Floral Print Dress for Summer

What could be more summery than a floral print mini dress?

Now is the time to pull out your printed frocks and wear them as often as you like. That’s the great thing about summer dresses: you can wear them for day or night, whether you’re brunching, shopping, hanging out with friends, or going out.

This mini dress features feminine details like a sweetheart neckline and ruffled straps, and its sweet pink floral print is perfect for the summer. You can wear it with flat or heeled sandals, but can also style it more casually with some low-top sneakers in a matching color like some trendy Adidas Gazelles or Sambas for a cool, sporty touch.

Accessorize the look with summer-ready accessories like a woven mini tote bag and a layered beaded and faux pearl necklace.

How to Style a Polka Dot Dress for Summer

While floral prints are a classic every year, in 2025, polka dots are making waves, and wearing a polka dot print dress will give you maximum style impact.

Stand out from the crowd with a halter neck polka dot mini dress that has an adorable pleated skirt and straight neckline. Its retro black and white print is great for both daytime and nighttime wear; if you want to dress it up, go for some kitten-heeled thong sandals.

Give the ensemble a pop of color with a structured red shoulder bag—this one has a belted design and elongated shape that is right on trend.

Add in some vintage-inspired gold button earrings and get ready for a fun (and stylish) summer night out and about!

How to Style a Tube Dress for Summer

Strapless or “tube” dresses are always a summer must-have, and I love how effortless they are.

This floral print strapless maxi dress has a super summery vibe thanks to its colorful print — which BTW, it comes in more than 10 different color combinations. It would be perfect to bring along on a summer vacation!

Go for a beachy look by styling it with some raffia flatform slide sandals and beach-inspired jewelry like a charm necklace and beaded drop earrings.

Don’t forget a straw bag, like this chic croissant-shaped option which matches the sandals and the color palette of the dress.

How to Style a Crochet Dress for Summer

Crochet is arguably one of the best materials to wear as a swim cover-up, and luckily, it also happens to be a big trend again this season.

Embrace this summery, boho look by wearing an open-knit crochet mini dress as your cover-up over your swimsuit. But don’t just stop there — you can even incorporate crochet into your swimsuit!

This triangle bikini set features an eye-catching crochet design that has over 10 different color options, adding to the boho vibe.

Go the extra style mile with trendy accessories like a pair of aviator sunglasses, a large straw tote bag to carry your sunscreen, towel, etc., plus some rubber slide sandals that are water-friendly, making them a must-have for the beach or pool.

How to Style a Going Out Dress for Summer

If you want to have a Hot Girl Summer, you’re going to need a Hot Girl Dress, like this cut-out halter mini dress featuring an eye-catching abstract print.

The cut-out detail is perfect for showing off your tan, while its O-ring detail and ruffled accents add to its flirty vibe.

Since the dress has a draped cowl neckline, play it up by wearing a beaded lariat necklace that drops at the center.

Crossbody bags are ideal for when you’re going out, but upgrade yours with a straw or raffia crossbody bag to give your outfit a summery feel. This one has a metal accents and a detachable metal chain strap for an elevated look.

Complete the look with some vintage-inspired kitten heel sandals that look sleek and match the dress’s color palette. The kitten heel will also be a lot more comfortable to wear out compared to stilettos!

How to Style an Athletic Dress for Summer

Not all dresses have to be girly, fancy, or reserved for dressy occasions: athletic dresses are perfect for everyday wear in the summer, even if you’re just running errands rather than hitting the court, gym, or trail.

An active mini dress with a built-in shelf bra and built-in shorts—complete with pockets that are super convenient—is the ultimate “one and done” piece that makes getting dressed a breeze and will keep you comfortable wherever the day takes you.

This dress also features a stylish cut-out back and breathable, buttery soft fabric, adding to its appeal.

For a sporty yet laid-back vibe, wear it with some lightweight mesh sneakers (which are ideal for the summertime) like a pair of New Balance 530s, along with some white ankle crew socks. A belt bag, which can be worn around your waist or crossbody-style, is perfect for stashing your small essentials without getting in the way of your activities.

Not only is a white and navy blue graphic print trucker hat going to bring the look together (and save you from any bad hair day), but it’s going to shield your face from the sun if you’ll be outside, and we all know how crucial that is (in addition to SPF, of course).

How to Style a Dress for Summer Vacation

Got summer vacation plans?

If you’re heading somewhere beachy, lightweight dresses will be your BFF. They’re easy to pack and will hardly add any weight to your luggage. Plus, they can be dressed up or down, making them ultra-versatile.

Thanks to its flowy, tiered babydoll silhouette, crisscross strappy back, and breezy cotton gauze material, this mini babydoll dress was practically made for summer vacation. I also adore its eyelet lace triangle cups that give it a girly vibe.

By bringing a pair of water-friendly slide sandals with you, like this neutral pair with an elevated design, you’ll easily be able to go from the beach to dinner without worrying about changing your shoes — they’re so versatile and will match almost everything else in your suitcase.

Add in nautical jewelry like this painted shell pendant necklace and this bracelet set with fish and pearl charms, plus some sunglasses, of course. A straw crossbody bag is also going to add to the summery vibe, while also being functional.

How to Style a Western-Inspired Dress for Summer

Western-inspired fashion is still going strong this season, and with so many country concerts happening throughout the summer (Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour comes to mind), it’s no surprise!

Get in on the trend with a white flare mini dress with a corseted bodice and flared skirt that will make you want to twirl around.

While this dress would also look adorable with sandals, go the cowgirl route with some white western boots and a straw cowboy hat. This cowboy hat features a beaded seashell trim, making it extra summery.

Don’t forget to add in cute jewelry like this adorable gold cowboy boot pendant necklace, adding to the western vibe.

P.S. — This outfit would be perfect for a summer concert!

How to Style a Summer Wedding Guest Dress

Heading to a wedding this summer? You’ll want to pick a pretty yet lightweight dress to beat the heat!

Consider a silky or satin dress, like this floral print satin midi dress. Its warm-toned floral print gives it a summery look (and most importantly, it’s not white).

Style it with some neutral-colored block-heel mule sandals; a block heel is usually more comfortable than a stiletto, which is key if you’ll be hitting the dance floor.

Add in a stone pendant necklace, gold drop earrings and a chic embossed clutch bag with a crossbody strap that will make you the best-dressed wedding guest.

How to Style a Bubble Hem Dress for Summer

As a fashion girly, I love following trends and seeing which fresh styles take center stage each season.

This season, bubble hems on both dresses and skirts have become a massive trend, so of course I had to feature a bubble hem mini dress in this post!

But the trends don’t stop there. Butter yellow is undoubtedly *the* color of the season, which is why this butter yellow bubble hem mini dress totally hits the mark. Its strapless design also makes it extra summery, and is ideal for showing off a statement necklace like one with plenty of cute charms.

Moving on to footwear: metal details—particularly on sandals—are major right now, and these strappy ball ornament sandals with a block heel, square toe, and neutral tan hue have an upscale look (with a budget-friendly price tag). They will add a luxe vibe to the outfit while helping to show off your legs, along with the mini length of the dress.

You may have also noticed that shoulder bags with elongated straps and rectangular silhouettes have become extremely popular recently, and this butter yellow option adds to the outfit’s trend appeal while creating a fun, monochromatic effect.

How to Style a Maxi Dress for Summer

You can’t go wrong with a maxi dress in the summertime—especially a linen-blend cut-out maxi dress with a gingham print.

Gingham print is huge this season, and this dress offers the trendy print in a neutral color scheme, making it ultra versatile.

Whether you’re headed abroad or just headed to a local backyard BBQ, this lightweight maxi dress with a cute open tie-back detail is going to look incredible, and can be dressed up or down.

Another trend to watch for this season are beaded shoulder bags with fun designs, and this strawberry print beaded bag couldn’t be more perfect for the summer. It will add a pop of color to the outfit and also add to the summery feel—especially when you also accessorize with a gold charm necklace that has a tiny strawberry charm to match!

These flat raffia slide sandals are affordable yet look elevated, and will pair perfectly with nearly all of your summertime outfits.

A pair of luxe-looking gold metal sunglasses complete the look.

How to Style a Denim Dress

This summer, it’s all about denim, denim, denim!

Get in on the trend with a denim dress, which is a fun alternative to classic denim shorts or overalls.

This cute denim mini dress has a halter neck and smocked bust with a breezy baby doll silhouette. It’s also 100% cotton, which is always a plus during hot weather. This dress works for daytime or nighttime wear (depending on where you’re headed), making it a versatile option.

You can go the casual route by wearing it with sandals, or make it extra trendy by styling it with some jelly Mary Jane flats. Jelly shoes happen to be another huge trend this season, and this pair’s woven translucent design is giving fisherman core, the ultimate aesthetic of Summer 2025.

For extra style points, add in some fisherman core-inspired jewelry like this adorable layered fish pendant necklace and a cute pair of cat-eye sunglasses.

Bring the ensemble together with a blue gingham print tote bag with a knotted strap and slouchy, roomy design.

What do you think of our summer dress styling guide?

Which outfit is your favorite? What kind of dresses will you be wearing this summer? Leave a comment and let us know!