If you are thinking that sundresses are just for the 20-somethings, think again. It’s kind of funny, but I never wore them until my 40’s. I was a shorts and leggings kind of girl. Not really sure why, I guess because I was an active mom and always had to be ready to get down on the floor with my little ones, chase them up a tree, or go down the slide at the park. But once my children were a little more grown, I started to experiment with them. Now, they are my signature look for the warmer months. You can find flattering summer dresses for women over 50!
These summer dresses for women are my picks for the styles that I have found flattering, comfortable, and just super pretty for women over 50, 60, or more. Because we deserve to feel feminine and romantic and beautiful! (But are totally over feeling exposed, itchy, and confined.) I have chosen dresses for a variety of budgets, and many of these retailers have sales going on, so be sure to look around while you are there. Spoiler alert: Almost all of these websites offer a discount on your first order. Watch for a pop-up form when you visit the site!
Note: I only recommend products I would use myself. If you purchase items through the links on my site, I might earn a small commission from the retailer. This is at no cost to you and does not increase your price for the item. Money earned from these commissions helps keep The Middle Girls running! Thank you for your support!
Summer Dresses for Women Over 50
The five types of summer dresses that are perfect for older women over 50+:
Summer Dresses with Sleeves
- Feel less revealing
- Sleeves cover upper arms
Maxi Dresses
- Full length
- Adds visual height
- Covers legs
Midi Summer Dresses for Women Over 50+
- Perfect mid-calf length
- Offers more coverage but shows just a bit of leg
Wrap Dresses for Summer
- Most universally flattering style of dress
- For all body shapes
Summer Shift or Swing Dresses
- Skims and camouflages belly
- Comfortable but sophisticated
- My signature summer dress style
Summer Dresses with Sleeves
Summer dresses with sleeves are perfect as we age because so many of us (me included!) don’t feel comfortable showing our upper arms. Frankly, once you pass menopause, unless you spend regular time in the gym your upper arms lose some muscle mass. Personally, mine can look a bit flabby. But you can still feel cool in that summer sun with short sleeves! They camouflage those upper arms without feeling frumpy. Here are some great choices for sundresses with sleeves for over 50+! Also BTW, since I have sensory issues, I only wear soft fabric dresses because… well, they are soft and they breathe. I have tried to include a variety of body shapes and styles.
Striped Mini Pocket Shirtdress
This super cute summer dress with sleeves from Loft is classic with some amazing updates. The biggest one for me was that it is made of rayon, my summer fabric of choice. It is flowy and soft and super comfortable. It has an elastic belted waist, but I would suggest dressing it up a bit by adding a belt. Pink isn’t for everyone, but I love it. Fresh and feminine, but the classic lines keep it from being too sweet. A very flattering summer dress for women over 50!
Flutter Sleeve Short Bra Dress
This pretty Soma dress comes in two different colors, coral and black. This classic summer dress has flutter sleeves to cover those upper arms, and is a midi length for a little more coverage on the leg without being full-length. Oh, and it has a built in bra! It is machine washable and comes in sizes XS-XL. I love that it has an elasticized waist, but not the skinny little cheap-looking ones. Soft rayon fabric.
Ellie Flutter Maxi Tea Dress
If you are looking for a nice dress to make a statement for a wedding or other summer event, this cute midi dress is so flattering for all body shapes. I love this bold blue print! It’s super soft because it’s a rayon blend. It comes in sizes 2-12 and four different prints. Because it is gathered gently at the waist, the fabric flows gently over any areas you aren’t comfortable with. This summer midi dress has sleeves and it’s long enough to drape over your legs for modesty. The skirt is a fit and flare shape, which gives you that fun “swish” we all so love from a dress. High quality, beautiful, cool, and comfortable. Also comes in petite as well. One of the many five-star reviews?
“This is my favorite dress – I have it in a couple of colors and I find it so comfortable and flattering. Every time I wear it I get a zillion compliments. I swear it takes 20lbs off me the second I put it on. I LOVE the flutter sleeves – they give nice arm coverage”
Tencel Jersey Midi Wrap Dress
This super pretty find is classic and super soft, and brings out the best in any figure! Wrap dresses are considered the most universally flattering dresses, and this one is perfect! It has a cute little collar, and comes in sizes XS to XXl. Comes in 7 colors. Love. This. Dress! I love the elbow-length sleeves, that is a hard thing to find in a summer dress. And so important for those of us who are self conscious about our arms. This is an elegant summer dress for women over 50+!
Boho Style Summer Wrap Dress
I own another style of dress in this very fabric and pattern. The fabric is so soft and flowing, and this print… Ah, this print. Love the color so much! It comes in 20 prints and solids. I want to try the navy! If you are shorter than 5’4″, it might fall all the way to your ankles, but still looks great!
Flirty Summer Maxi Dresses
So if your arms aren’t the (only?🤪) part of you that you want to camouflage, maybe you would prefer not to show off your legs. Maybe this is because you prefer more modest dresses, or because you would prefer to disguise something on your lower half. For me, it’s veins and a little cellulite. Or maybe you just like the elegance of a flowing maxi summer dress! These summer dresses for women over 50 are some of the popular.
Organic Cotton Tiered Maxi Dress
My oldest daughter owns and loves this summer maxi dress from Quince. Made from 100% organic cotton gauze, it is super soft and super flattering. In a lovely tiered design, this dress comes in nine colors and a v-neckline in front and back that is modest, but still visually slims the body. It even comes in a black and white vertical stripe! (Again, very slimming!) By the way, I am a huge fan of Quince. They produce quality clothes with quality fabrics, at really reasonable prices. And they do more than clothes! Their bamboo bed sheets are on my bed as we speak, and every family member who has slept on them has gone off and bought a set for themselves. They are soooooo soft.
Women’s Wrap Boho Summer Dress
According to Stitch Fix, (and if you’ve never checked out this personal stylist service, to your door, you should!) wrap dresses are the most universally flattering style for all of us. I own this very dress. It is super soft, super flowy, and super cute. The only thing I would caution is that on some women I could see it showing a bit of cleavage. I wear it with a tank or bodysuit underneath, but you could also just pin it in place if it’s a problem for you. Very Boho fun, it’s perfect for the beach, or my personal fav, Palm Springs! I do think it runs a bit small. I am a size 10-12 and ordered a large. Basically, I would order the XL if I ordered it again. (Remember, sizes are just numbers!) Love this summer dress though! Not frumpy, just fabulous!
Goddess Maxi Bra Dress
This soft jersey sundress from Soma has a built-in bra, which is awesome. But the thing I love about it the most is the flattering wrap just below the bustline. This gives you a feminine shape, but allows the fabric below the bust to fall away from the body, helping to conceal anything you might want to hide away. It comes in black, berry, and 3 prints. In black, this could be a stunning going-out dress as well. Built in pockets, super soft rayon heresy fabric.
Midi Summer Dresses for Women Over 50+
Midi dresses hit about mid-calf, and are perfect for those of us not quite comfortable with above-the-knee dresses anymore. You can show a little leg while still keeping modest, and show off those cute summer sandals. For me, I still wear some (just) above-the-knee dresses, but something about a longer skirt makes me feel a little bit more like a princess. (Don’t tell my granddaughters, they are the real princesses in my house!) And remember, it’s about style confidence!
Vintage Wash Tencel Button Front Midi Dress
Ok, I am in love with this summer midi dress. Made from eco-friendly Tencel, it is super soft, amazingly flattering, and comes in three colors, including navy. Another one from Quince, this one has pockets, a clasp at the bodice for modesty, and an A-line silhouette. Did I mention how soft the fabric is? It has some smocking just in the back to give your waist shape, bust darts, and drapes beautifully over any areas of your stomach you may want to conceal. I’m gonna say it again… I LOVE this dress!
Sunset Lightweight Cotton Sleeveless Shirtdress
This fresh cotton summer midi dress beauty is so pretty. Cool, comfortable, and in a flattering and classic shirtdress style, this just may be the perfect sundress for older women. This would be so pretty with a sunhat and sandals while on vacation, but also great to run to the grocery store. And the vertical stripes are slimming! There are 3 stripes and 3 solids, from XXS to 3XL. This is quality dress that will last for years from a top name in sustainable clothing. Oh, and pockets!
Sunlit Shores Ornate Midi Dress
This 100% rayon dress is a beautiful print for summer. With an elasticized waist for shape and perfect just below the knee length, this dress is so comfortable yet so incredibly pretty! Add a leather belt to make it dinner night out ready. So soft!
Summer Swing Dresses for Older Women
Summer swing dresses are perfect for older women because they sweep over our belly and camouflage our hips. They are swingy and loose, but still give you enough shape that you look refined and timeless. These types of dresses are my favorite sundresses for women over 50., and the ones I wear on repeat.
Cotton Gauze Sleeveless Swing Dress
So this pretty summer swing dress from Quince is perfection. Elegant yet casual at the same time, it is a super soft and cool 100% organic cotton fabric. It has a relaxed and swingy fit so it is flattering to all body types. I am in love with the pintucking detail on the bodice. With functional side pockets and five color choices, this one is in my shopping basket.
Tulum Bound Geo Mini Dress
This super pretty sundress from CupShe is made from rayon, and has a super comfortable feel. Swingy and forgiving, it is pretty enough for vacation or casual enough for the grocery store. I love swing dresses because they float over your figure without adding bulk. This one gives definition to your bustline without showing cleavage or being too tight. A great summer swing dress for older women! I own a few dresses from CupShe, and I love the quality and style. But if you are on the edge between sizes, size up.
Women’s Printed Sleeveless Flip-Flop Dress
This super pretty summer swing dress has a flattering shape and print! It is casual but looks high-end. A rayon blend, it is a breathable and soft, flowy fabric. Comes in prints and solids and XS-XXL. Flip flops or heels would both work with this dress, making it a great value because it’s such a versatile piece.
These flattering summer dresses for women over 50+ are pretty, comfortable, flattering, and chic. Keep in mind, because I prefer soft fabrics, many of these dresses are made with rayon or viscose. I’ve learned the hard way not to machine dry them… hang them dry and you will be fine though! So whether you love sundresses with sleeves, maxi, midi, or summer wrap dresses, there is one here for you!
Sign up for updates and your free copy of 10 Best Inspirational Quotes for Women 50+!
I think you will also love my posts on How to Dress to Disguise , Comfortable but Cute Shoes, and Elevating Your Style Over 50+
Also visit my Freebies page, where everything is… well, free!
Back to the Blog for more great articles!
+ show Comments
- Hide Comments
add a comment