I do this post every year, several times a year, and I’d like to tell you that it’s a pleasure to put together, but that would be a lie. It is never not a challenge to find enough dresses that meet my—really pretty straightforward—criteria for inclusion: the dress must be cute, obviously, and hit at the knee or below, and—this is crucial—it must have sleeves (I might make an exception or two to this rule during summer, when many of you have reported you go proudly sleeveless). Factor in my dislike of cutouts and ruffles, and that leaves precious few options these days. I used to roll my eyes when older women complained about how tough it was to find dresses that worked for them, and now I am that older woman, and isn’t that a pip. I did manage to dig up some winning options, though, like this graphic print from Farm Rio.
An A-line skirt and flocked waistline make for a flattering silhouette here. Also, the fabric is seersucker, which you can’t really see.
An embroidered shirt dress with a kind of retroish, Talented Mr Ripley appeal.
This is really sharp-looking, but also seems like it’d be easy to wear.
A jersey shirt dress that comes in several good colors, and a ton of sizes.
I keep seeing the green on this adorable dress everywhere, and am so tempted by it. It’s a really chic shade, but happy too.
This has an always-flattering side tie.
A batwing sleeve satin shift dress that could be dressed way up, if you so chose.
A pretty pink confection that’s ladylike without being prissy.
The pleats on the skirt here are pretty great.
I’ve shown you this dress before I’m pretty sure, but it’s just so perfect that I’m doing it again.
An empire waist dress with just a hint of ruffle.
This has the ease of a caftan, but with somewhat cleaner lines.
A simple, button-front twill dress for wearing to work or wherever.
And finally, a gleefully loud print for not a lot of cash.
When I was in Germany last summer I saw a lot of women wearing dresses that all had a similar theme: minimal, Scandi-chic, midi length, cap or slightly balloon 3/4 sleeves, cotton or jersey, neutral colors like stone and beige and navy. Not sheaths, slightly flowy, but not oversized tents. Worn with flats, gladiator sandals, mules. I wish I'd walked up to a few of them and asked what they were wearing because they were so perfect.
I own five dresses. One for funerals in the winter, one for funerals in the summer, one for a cocktail party (like that's ever going to happen again), one for a casual summer event and one for a dressy summer event. I'm certain as I age the funeral dresses will get more wear––otherwise, put me in pants, please.