16 Cotton Dresses That Carry Themselves

Outfit Details: Merlette Dress, Toteme Bag, Call It By Your Name Loafers (sold out, more colors here), Celine Sunglasses (sold out, similar here, less expensive here)

There is a certain type of dress I reach for in August, when I still want cotton, bare ankles, and the ease of a sandal, but with a shape that feels more memorable than a simple sundress. Something with volume, that stands away from the body, catches the breeze, and gives the dress a shape that feels styled before anything else is added. It’s the difference between something that simply slips on and something that carries itself through the day.

I love when that volume comes through softly, in fabric that gathers, lifts, or swings without feeling overworked. A white dress looks almost sculptural with peplum ruffles, while a dark cocoa shade adds a dose of drama to a maxi. Cotton has a longer calendar than it gets credit for, which is why these are the dresses I want now and still imagine wearing well into fall.