ICYMI, It's Hot Outside—These 30 Lightweight Dresses Are Guaranteed to Combat the High Temps
Ever wondered how fashion people never look hot and sweaty on 100-degree days? These dresses are their secret.
In case you haven't noticed, it's hot outside—like, really hot. For days, temperatures across the globe have been skyrocketing, and figuring out what to wear to stay cool has gotten harder and harder as the hours tick by. Cutoff jean shorts and a flimsy tank top will only get you so far, and with another workweek starting, it's important (and timely) to find heat wave–proof dressing options that look polished and chic. The trick fashion people have relied on summer after summer? Lightweight dresses that don't cling to sweaty skin, and fortunately for you, I've rounded up 30 of them below.
From affordable options from Nordstrom, Zara, J.Crew, and H&M to investment-worthy designer alts by the likes of Calvin Klein, Doën, and Staud, there's a heat wave–ready summer dress for every shopper in the collection that follows. Shift minidresses, nightgown-inspired frocks, and silk slips are all included, and the easy linen numbers will get you through even the hottest and sweatiest of July days. All you have to do is add sunscreen, a raffia bag, and some easy flat sandals to finish off your 100-degree outfit.
Shop Heat Wave Dresses
Just add simple strappy heeled sandals.
An affordable way to get into the pretty dress trend It girls like Kaia Gerber love.
The perfect drop-waist dress.
I can so see Alexandra Leclerc wearing this dress in the Formula One paddock.

Eliza Huber is currently the Associate Editorial Director at Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2021 as a fashion editor after starting her career as a writer at Refinery29, where she worked for four years. During her time at WWW, she launched Go Sports, the publication's sports vertical, and published four (and counting) quarterly issues tied to the WNBA, Formula One, and more. She also created two franchises, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, Gracie Abrams, and Sabrina Carpenter for WWW's monthly cover features; and reported on new seasonal trends, up-and-coming designers, and celebrity style.