Little Summer Dresses: Stay Cool While Feeling Hot

It is so obscenely hot here in Taiwan, I don’t even want to put on clothes. And the thought of dressing up in this weather is pure misery, but people still bring it in this city!

So when a tank top and short-shorts won’t do (that ultra-casual look gets tired fast, if you ask me), the little summer dress is a best-of-both-worlds alternative. But it’s got to be the right cut, fit, fabric, and mood; while a mini is definitely the way to go, city-living requires you to look like you’re wearing an ensemble and not a pool cover-up.

A dress that’s polished yet reveals just enough skin to cool you off without whoring you out. Correct fabric choice is vital (think lightweight cotton, silk, even rayon) – you want a loose fit on a material that won’t suffocate. Here are some options that promise to keep you hot and cool at the same time.

Deep red has never looked as airy as it does on Reed Krakoff‘s sheer silk-chiffon dress($1,290). Spaghetti straps and an emphatic V-neck keep it extra-light. Only Alexander Wang ($525) could turn would-be drab khaki cotton into a dress so fresh and forward. Casually turned layers of lightweight fabric cover you up and create interest, offering safari cool without putting you in a theme outfit. Jersey styles can air on the side of overexposed, but BCBG‘s allover-ruched mini ($178) (has the right portions of length and volume. A woven belt brings a touch of exoticism to T-Bag‘s fuchsia dress ($176), an easy halter that can hold its own in the evening. And no summer dress assortment would be complete without printed and wrinkled silk, the most summery of fabrics – Velvet‘s “Lourdes” dress ($242) is a breath of fresh air.