Short sleeve casual dresses are a go-to summer wardrobe staple for me. When it’s too hot for layers and restricing waistbands, what’s better than summer casual dresses with short sleeves? How about a blue floral dress that can be worn dressed up for occasions like garden weddings and dressed down for your daily summer activities?
I featured this blue floral dress with ruffle sleeves as one of three dresses to wear to a garden or outdoor wedding and it was a hit here and on Instagram. It’s a knee length women’s dress that’s the perfect combination of dressy and casual depending on what you style with it. A knee length women’s dress is a modest and functional choice for many activities but can be hard to find given the focus on midi and mini dresses these days.
This aline knee length dress is flattering to most body types and especially a pear body shape. It’s least flattering to an inverted triangle, or women whose shoulders are bigger than their bottom half.
Three Ways to Wear It
I’ve created three looks for three different activities. One look is for work and the other two outfits are casual and can be worn for several activities.
Blue Floral Dress With a Blazer for the Office
I paired a blush pique knit blazer with this dress, but a beige or light grey blazer or shorter cardigan would work with the colors. A lilac blazer would also work and would be on trend for this year.
A tote is an essential purse for work and a blush tote is a complimentary accessory for this outfit.
Nude pumps are proffessional and don’t compete with the rest of the look. Keep jewelry simple for the office. I added a mini flower necklace by Kate Spade. Pearls would also be great accessories for this look.
Blazer- option; dress- Amazon; tote- Amazon; shoes- option
With a Denim Jacket and Slides for Errands
Throw on a white denim jacket and some white or neutral slides for running errands. Add rattan earrings and a straw bag for summer vibes.
See Also: 15 Ways to Wear A White Denim Jacket.
The flat slides are not the most flattering on me with a dress of this length, but sometimes comfort and function win out. You could also make this look more casual with white sneakers.
If you are petite, and height is important, you could choose a platform sandal and still keep the look casual.
With a Straw Hat for Brunch or Lunch
Keep the look casual but step it up a bit with studded sandals and a straw hat for an outdoor lunch or brunch. I choose another straw bag but one with a little more pizazz with the colorful stripes and pom poms.
Hat- Amazon; earrings- Amazon; dress- Amazon; sandals- Steve Madden; tote- option
This cute blue floral dress is a summer casual dress with short sleeves that is versatile enough to go from work to weekend with the change of a few accessories.
You may also like: 11 Casual Summer Dresses and Skirts From Amazon (That Will Take You Stylishly to the End of the Season and Beyond)