The Best Linen Dresses To Make Your Summer Effortless

J.Crew has lots of great linen offerings this season, and this knee-length shirtdress style is your answer to easy summer dressing. It has a button front and removable cinch tie; it comes in classic, petite and tall fits; and it’s available in six timeless colors (the white is lined). Style tip: Wear this with a contrasting belt to get even more wear out of this piece, and dress it up with bold fashion jewelry in either metallics or organic materials.

Anthropologie has one of the best linen dress selections around in a variety of lengths and silhouettes. This style is cut from linen and viscose, which makes it lightweight and flowy and gives it a beautiful drape. It has a chest patch pocket, side slant pockets and simple cinch tie. The ankle-skimming length makes it perfect for weekend afternoon shopping in town, strolling through the farmer’s market, or sunset beach barbecues.

This tiered silhouette—in a linen-cotton blend—is effortless, forgiving and swingy, making it laidback for summer days. We love it with sandals, espadrille wedges or cute, light-colored sneakers. It comes in eight colors and patterns (although many are cotton instead of linen) and it’s available in sizes from XXS to 3XL.

The v-neck shape and bubble sleeves make this mini extra unique. What’s also great is that it’s fully lined so you don’t have to worry about your undergarments showing, and it’s got side-seam pockets. The Livia dress comes in regular, tall and petite fits and four colors. Reviewers love that it can be dressed up or down.

A structured belt—rather than a simple cinch tie—can make all the difference in elevating a linen dress, and this style’s wide fabric belt adds an element of polish. Other details include a flattering A-line shape, cuffs on the short sleeves, and a mid-calf length. It comes in four happy summer colors, and this style is available in petite and regular fits.

For a breezy dress you can wear for errands, work, or outdoor parties, Quince’s flattering A-line dress is a versatile choice. This style has pockets, adjustable straps and a smocked back so you get the perfect fit through the chest. To note: The white colorway has a fully lined skirt so you don’t have to worry about overexposure.

Lifestyle brand Faherty excels at laidback cool, and this linen-viscose blend dress is another airy option. It comes in a stripe or floral print with pockets, shell buttons and side vents. You’ll reach for it again and again all summer long—pair it with flip flops, sandals or sneakers.

Brazilian womenswear brand Farm Rio’s fun, brightly patterned dresses are a statement addition to any summer wardrobe. This white style, while more sedate than many of their more tropical-inspired styles, is beautifully detailed. It features a high neckline, flutter sleeves, scalloped hem and structured belt that elevate this dress to a showstopper.

Everyone needs a wrap dress in their closet—they offer just-right coverage and have a flattering A-line shape. Everlane’s wrap style is fully lined so you don’t have to worry about obvious undergarments. The midi length and short sleeves make this a nice linen option for the office. It comes in four colors—black, bone, dark sea and cornstalk chambray.

If you’re looking for a casual linen style, this popover mini can double as a beach coverup. It has unique smocked styling and a raw hem, and it’s available in three nontraditional colors—grey, rose and mint. This dress comes in standard, petite and plus sizes—but take note that some reviewers say it can run small in the bust.

A fitted, button-up bodice, and an A-line skirt with unexpected box pleats give this Reformation linen dress vintage vibes. We like it styled with a belt and paired with ballet flats or heels. It comes in white or cornflower stripe.

While some linen styles can sometimes skew shapeless, this more structured take has puff short sleeves, scallop detailing and a thick tonal belt. It comes in a beautiful summery yellow gold or in white with black detailing.

Think of this linen mini dress as basic in the front, party in the back. The square-oval neckline is low cut but not overly so, and the crossover back creates a keyhole cutout detail. It comes in three colors—true black, rouge and pale pineapple—and it’s available in sizes 00 to 16.

Linen dries quickly, which makes it a good choice for swimsuit coverups. This inexpensive button-up shirt dress transitions easily from the beach or poolside to lunch in town. Roll the sleeves and cinch it at the waist for a relaxed look. This style is roomy so you may need to size down.

Elieen Fisher is the master of quiet luxury, and this understated organic linen shirt dress is destined to be your next wardrobe staple. It has a button front, patch pockets and subtle vertical striping.

Show off your toned shoulders in this ankle-length style. It’s cut from a linen viscose blend (translation: less creasing), and has a shirred panel at the back so it won’t gap at the chest. Other practical features include straps with elastic for a comfy fit and pockets offset just in front of the side seam so they don’t create excess bulk.

The subtle crinkly texture of this linen dress is elevated with a square neckline, contrast button front and fabric belt. This style looks great styled with a neutral heel and classic jewelry. It comes in regular and petite fits and four colors—blue stripe, flax, lei flower and cross blue herringbone.