The Pretty (and Under-$45) Summer Dress Everyone Is Wearing

I'd argue no summer wardrobe is complete without a printed dress. Think about it—you can wear one with sandals and sneakers alike, take it on your beach vacations, and throw it on for an easy outfit when you don't know what else to wear. Since we know a solid summer dress is a staple that always delivers, we took it upon ourselves to design our own version that checks off all the boxes I just outlined.

Our Shirred Midi A-Line Dress is a midi-length floral number that features one of the summer's biggest dress trends: smocking. The shirred, off-the-shoulder neckline weirdly looks great on every single person who wears it, which, as you're about to see, is seemingly everyone. While the red version is the clear favorite, it also comes in a black-and-white print if color just isn't your thing. And if that wasn't reason enough to shop the dress, it clocks in at just under $45.

Ahead, see all the different ways to wear the dress, shop both colors, and even more affordable summer frocks.

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Run (and jump) around in the dress when you wear it with classic kicks.

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The flowy shape and stretchy neckline make it mom-to-be approved.

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The perfect base to all your summer sandals.

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… and woven bags.

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Pack it for your next vacation and thank me later.

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We'd smile this big if we were wearing this look, too.

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Basically the real-life version of the dancing-girl emoji.

Shop the dress:

More affordable summer dresses:

Next, see which pieces were the most popular fashion items of the month.

Editor

Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.