What is a sundress?
A sundress is a light, casual dress made for hot days: thin straps, bare shoulders, an easy skirt, often in cotton or linen. Wear it to the beach, on holiday and to backyard barbecues. Throw a denim jacket or cardigan over it when the sun goes down.
When to wear a sundress
Wear it to
Think twice for
Who it suits
Works on you if you want air on your shoulders and nothing clingy on a hot day.
Works on you if you like a one piece outfit you can throw on in a minute.
Works on you if you want a dress that goes from the sand to lunch with one extra layer.
Heads up if you'll be in full sun for hours. Bare shoulders burn, so pack a shirt to throw over it, plus sunscreen.
Heads up if the venue has a dress code. Most sundresses read casual.
Heads up if you need a bra with regular straps. Thin straps and low backs make that tricky, so check the cut.
How to style it
- Flat sandals or slides
- White sneakers
- A straw or woven bag
- A denim or leather jacket for evening
- A light cardigan
- Sunglasses and a wide brim hat
- Avoid. Thick tights in summer
- Avoid. Stilettos and a formal clutch
What makes it a sundress
Short answer: it's built for heat. Merriam-Webster defines it as a dress with an abbreviated bodice that usually exposes the shoulders, arms and back. In practice that means thin straps or a halter, a light fabric and a skirt with room to move. Length is up to you, mini to maxi. Prints lean floral, gingham or plain white, but there's no rule.
Don't stress the label. People argue online about which dress is "the sun one", as NPR found. If it's light, easy and you'd wear it on a 35 degree day, it counts. Plenty of tiered dresses and slip dresses double as sundresses.
A bit of history
The sundress became a summer staple after the Second World War, when American sportswear designers popularised it, NPR reports. The point was ease: these dresses were meant to be worn without fussy undergarments like girdles. Honestly, that's still the appeal.
Fabric and heat
Natural fibres are your friend. Linen absorbs and releases moisture quickly and is a good conductor of heat, so it feels cool to wear, says Britannica. It also wrinkles easily, so embrace the crumple or go for a linen blend. Cotton, cotton voile, seersucker and chambray are the other classics. If it's properly hot, skip anything with a heavy synthetic lining.
When it cools down
A sundress keeps working after sunset with one extra layer. Who What Wear suggests wearing it on its own by day, then adding a leather moto jacket when the sun starts to set. A denim jacket, an oversized shirt or a light cardigan does the same job. Swap slides for sneakers if you're walking.
In Australia vs the US: peak sundress season in Australia is summer, December to February, with warm spring days from September (Bureau of Meteorology). In the US, summer is June to August (NOAA). That's why a sundress works for an Australian Christmas party, and why you'll be packing one in our winter for a northern summer beach holiday.
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See all sundressesCommon questions
What is considered a sundress?
A light, casual dress made for hot weather, usually with thin straps and bare shoulders. It can be any length, and it's most often in cotton or linen.
Can you wear a sundress to a wedding?
Only if the dress code is casual or it's a relaxed daytime do, like a beach or backyard wedding. Choose a dressier fabric, avoid white and add nice sandals. For cocktail or formal, pick a midi dress instead.
What do you wear over a sundress when it's cold?
A denim or leather jacket, a light cardigan or an oversized shirt. Swap slides for sneakers and you're set for the evening.
What bra do you wear with a sundress?
It depends on the straps. A strapless or convertible bra suits thin straps and wide necklines, and some sundresses have built in support. Try it on with the dress before the big day.
Are sundresses only for summer?
Mostly. Light ones work on warm spring days too, with a cardigan and sneakers. Once it's properly cold, switch to a heavier dress.
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