I’ve always been someone who is overdressed for occasions and will always err on the side of dressing up a bit more rather than dressing down. Even my casual outfits tend to look more elevated because I love to add extra touches to style them in a more put together way. That could mean adding certain accessories, doing my hair/makeup or ensuring all the pieces are free of wrinkles or creases. I feel my best when my outfit is well thought out and put together and it can definitely create a good impression when meeting people for the first time.
I’ve had questions over the years about how to look dressy without dedicating a ton of extra time and energy to it which is possible but does require a bit of planning. I am strategic when buying new items for my closet making sure I choose pieces that are easy to style, fit well and can be worn over and over. And accessories may seem like an afterthought but they can truly take an outfit from casual to dressy in a second. Here’s a roundup of dressy outfits for women that will keep you looking chic all summer long!
How To Look Chic This Summer – 10 Dressy Outfits For Women
Summer Dressy Outfits
Floral Midi Skirt with Neutral Accessories
Tank (similar) | Sweater | Skirt | Shoes | Bag (similar) | Necklace | Sunglasses
A billowy floral midi skirt is the quintessential piece for spring and summer. It’s easy to style with a simple white tank so the skirt becomes the focal point of the outfit. Pull in some of the colors with a statement necklace and leave the rest of the accessories neutral and timeless.
Wide Leg Linen Pants and an Eyelet Blouse
Outfit details: Blouse | Pants | Shoes | Belt | Bag | Sunglasses
Wide leg pants have been gaining popularity for years now so the options to style them are endless. Especially in a dressy way for a night out or a weekend event. Find a style that drapes which will give the outfit some movement. Offsetting the conservative look of the pants with a feminine eyelet blouse. Adding a bold belt and jewelry helps to balance out the look perfectly.The best shoe to finish off the look is a clear simple sandal that elongates the leg.
All White Outfit with Neutral Accessories
Sweater | Jeans | Belt | Shoes | Bag | Sunglasses
An all-white look for summer is something I go back to year after year because it always looks chic. Once again I’ve kept the accessories neutral though not necessarily all matching in exact tones. You can definitely choose beiges or browns in the exact same shade but I personally like to mix different ones together to give the all white outfit a bit more interest.
Dressy Outfits With Jeans
Straight Leg Jeans with Chic Accessories
Tee | Jeans | Belt (similar) | Sandals | Bag (similar) | Sunglasses
In its truest form, this casual outfit is just jeans and a t-shirt. But adding the right accessories and ensuring your clothing fits well (not too oversized or too tight), a simple jeans/t-shirt look can be dressy. And even if you don’t want to wear heels, choose a more structured flat sandal over rubber flip flops or athletic sneakers.
Midi Tank Dress with Neutral Accessories
Dress | Belt | Sandals | Bag (similar) | Sweater | Necklace (discount code: MAREE20)
If you were to see this dress online, it doesn’t immediately scream chic and dressy. But with the right accessories and styling, it looks polished and put together. Mixing textures like the rattan bag with the glitter jelly sandals helps to add interest to the look while still keeping everything neutral.
Belted Shirtdress in a Bold Color
Dress | Bag (similar) | Shoes (similar) | Sunglasses
Another example of how a shirt dress really can look dressy with little to no styling. This dress has been a top seller with my readers for nearly a year and I personally find it to be one of my most worn dresses. The fabric is stiff and has a slight sheen to it which instantly elevates the outfit. I usually choose neutral accessories to wear with it and it’s an outfit I don’t put a ton of effort into styling. The dress IS the outfit.
Striped Tank Midi Dress with Neutral Shoes
Dress (similar) | Sweater | Sandals (similar) | Bag | Belt | Sunglasses
Stripes are one of the safest prints to wear because it’s always in style and automatically looks dressy in regards to certain clothing styles. A striped midi dress like this one has a classic look to it and even styled with sneakers and a casual bag, it would still have an elevated dressy vibe. Also consider the fabric of certain items when shopping because certain fabrics can look dressier than others. This particular dress is a heavier stretch fabric so it holds it shape nicely.
Slip Skirt with a Simple Tank
Outfit details: Tank | Skirt (similar) | Sandals | Bag (similar) | Belt | Sunglasses
A slip skirt is a closet staple for me. I recommend everyone adding one to their wardrobe because the versatility is endless. It can be styled year round and always looks modern. With the intense summer heat, a basic tank is one of the best tops to wear with a slip skirt. The foundation of this outfit is very minimal with no real personalized style. Adding tons of bold accessories creates a more polished look. Don’t be afraid to mix and match different neutral tones in the same outfit. For example my bag and belt are different shades of brown but manages to look seamless and well put together.
Black Slim Pants with a Striped Blouse
Outfit details: Blouse | Pants | Belt (similar) | Sandals | Bag | Sunglasses | Necklace (discount code: MAREE15) | Earrings (discount code: MAREE20)
I’ve had a classic pair of black pants in my closet since my early 20’s. Nothing with added details or elements that make them look too trendy. Clean lines in a classic shape will always be timeless. Adding a crisp striped blouse instantly elevates the look but the choice of a strappy sandal versus something closed toe dresses the entire look up. A bold belt and statement jewelry adds another layer of style that makes the outfit work well for a night out after work.
Floral Midi Dress
Dress | Belt | Sandals | Bag (similar) | Sunglasses
This outfit is a perfect example of how accessories can instantly elevate a look. A floral midi dress is fine but adding the wrap belt, strappy sandals and necklace stack makes this outfit look more styled and dressy. Adding these extra touches are what can take your outfits from boring to instantly polished. . I want to find items that be worn with various outfits and looks.
How To Make Casual Clothes Look Dressy
Add accessories – adding a belt or jewelry can immediately elevate a look
Steam all your pieces – be sure to give a quick steam to all your pieces before you wear them. Wrinkles can make or break an outfit.
Focus on fit – if something fits too tight or too loose, it can really detract from the overall look of an outfit.
Hem anything too long – if pants or jeans are too long, it can make them look messy or ill-fitting. I personally cut nearly all of my jeans leaving a raw hem but if it is pants, I will go have them tailored to a length that works for heels or flats.
Do your hair or makeup – you don’t have to do both, but spending the time to style your hair or add a bit of makeup can instantly make any outfit look dressier.
What Is Dressy Casual For Ladies?
Well tailored clothing
Make sure you choose clothing that fits as it is intended and works with your personal style. If you don’t like the look of wide leg pants, don’t push yourself to wear them. Find a silhouette that feels comfortable to you and ensure your clothes reflect that.
No activewear
Leave the workout looks and athleisure fits for the weekend. Even though a matching set may look put together, it isn’t the best option for a casual dressy occasion.
Invest in basics
Your wardrobe should have a good solid foundation of basic pieces like a crisp black blazer, well-tailored pants, classic button-down blouses and non-distressed denim.
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