20 Affordable Summer Dresses to Add to Cart—All Under $45

last updated 16 September 2021

What can I say? This article is as straightforward as the title implies. Twenty warm weather–ready dresses that are, indeed, as delightful as they are affordable—thanks, of course, to our very own Who What Wear collection. What more could one really be looking for two-thirds of the way through spring and with summer Fridays officially in full swing now that Memorial Day weekend has come and gone?

I guess you could say that there’s actually a bonus here in that below you’ll also find photographic evidence of just how perfect some of the dresses are, thanks to some of our favorite girls on Instagram. For me, that always helps to get a sense of what a piece really looks like in the wild and, most of the time, to narrow down my many, many options. So, to see how 13 of our shoppers are already styling their summer dresses and, of course, to shop the frocks for yourself, just keep scrolling.

Who What Wear x Target

Polka Dot Short Sleeve Halter Neck Mini Dress

Also available in more sizes.

Who What Wear x Target

Floral Print Sleeveless Ruffle V-Neck Loose Fit Maxi Dress

Also available in more sizes.

Who What Wear x Target

Eyelet Long Sleeve V-Neck Front Tie Loose Fit Trim Maxi Dress

Also available in more sizes.

Who What Wear x Target

Floral Print Short Sleeve Scoop Neck Asymmetric Hem Dress

Also available in more sizes.

Who What Wear x Target

Convertible Sleeve Button Detailed Shirtdress

Also available in more sizes.

Who What Wear x Target

Floral Print Elbow Sleeve Square Neck Shirred Midi Dress

Also available in more sizes.

Who What Wear x Target

V-Neck Full Sleeve Trim Maxi Dress

Also available in more sizes.

Who What Wear x Target

Long Convertible Sleeve Button Detailed Shirtdress

Also available in more sizes.

Who What Wear x Target

Short Ruffle Sleeve Boat Neck Tie Waist Shift Dress

Also available in more sizes.

Who What Wear x Target

Floral Print Off the Shoulder Long Sleeve Shirred Midi A Line Dress

Also available in more sizes.

Who What Wear x Target

Short Sleeve V-Neck Trapeze Shirtdress

Who What Wear x Target

Leopard Print Sleeveless Halter Neck Dress

Also available in more sizes.

Who What Wear x Target

Sleeveless Collared Button-Front Tie Waist Shirtdress

Also available in more sizes.

Shop more dresses:

Who What Wear x Target

Floral Print Short Sleeve V-Neck Wrap Dress

Who What Wear x Target

Off the Shoulder 3/4 Sleeve Knotted Cuff Maxi Dress

Also available in more sizes.

Who What Wear x Target

Polka Dot 3/4 Sleeve V-Neck Maxi Dress

Who What Wear x Target

Floral Print Sleeveless Ruffle V-Neck Maxi Dress

Also available in more sizes.

Who What Wear x Target

Sleeveless Collared Front Button-Down Shirtdress

Who What Wear x Target

Floral Print Cap Sleeve Boat Neck Ruffle Tiered Maxi Dress

Also available in more sizes.

Who What Wear x Target

Short Sleeve V-Neck Wrap Dress

Up next? These are the seven travel accessories I won't fly without.

Explore More:

Since starting as an intern back in 2013, Nicole Akhtarzad Eshaghpour has held several roles here at Who What Wear, and she is currently Editor-at-Large. Upon joining, she was a senior about to graduate from business school at USC. Fast-forward to 2025, and she's moved to NYC from her hometown of Beverly Hills and spends her workdays a little differently from when she was just starting out. Currently, she focuses on a weekly mélange of shopping content and her Trust Me—Buy This newsletter. As far as her personal style goes, she's largely drawn to neutral, classic pieces but will always make an exception for something colorful or bejeweled as long as it's deemed worthy enough. After all, the only thing she loves more than a party is dressing up for one. On her downtime, she can usually be found at home eating something delicious and trying to force her husband to watch Summer House.