I have been spending freely on cheap thrills, as they sometimes help tame the boredom and repetition that define pandemic living. My thrills of choice have been a cloying mix: sugary drinks, whole cakes, and pullover dresses that require no styling. For those of you looking for a quick fix, here are a few dresses for your consideration:


The Drop Iona Long Sleeve Hooded Mini Sweatshirt Dress (Size XS)
The Iona Long Sleeve Hooded Mini Sweatshirt Dress is a very reasonable option for those in the market for a well-priced sweatshirt dress. It costs <$40 and comes in eight colorways. The cotton blend (47% Cotton, 47% Modal, 6% Spandex) is medium-weight, and can easily take you into fall. The fit is true to size, but the cut is generous; size down as needed.


BTFBM Short Sleeve Ruched T Shirt Dress with Buttons in Grey Blue (size S)
One major detail that I missed when I ordered this dress was the asymmetrical collar, which I am not a big fan of. But this chic (and affordable) t-shirt dress with a wrap front skirt is otherwise a fine purchase and comes in a dizzying 27(!) colors. If you aren’t familiar with sizing for third-party (usually Chinese) sellers on Amazon, most fashion items run S-XL, with the S translating to roughly an XS in American mass retailer sizing.


Rebecca Minkoff Marta Short Sleeve Knit Dress in Heather Grey (size Extra Small)
This (100%) cotton t-shirt dress with obi belt detail is very comfortable to wear, but I thought it ran big and the material is semi-starched (before washes) so the fit felt a little potato-sack-y. But it’s definitely an interesting option for a pullover dress, and requires almost no styling–maybe a colorful necklace if your dress is in a muted tone, and finish with a straw tote and a pair of fun sandals.


BTFBM Sleeveless Ruched Bottom Dress in Khaki (size S)
The juxtaposition of the rugged muscle tee and the slinky mini skirt in this dress is striking. I also think the side ties (and the resulting ruching) work really well to balance the wider top. But the material is on the thin side, and the waistline sits a little low on a shorter frame, so temper your expectations accordingly. Would be best for someone who’s at least average height, if not taller.
How have you been coping?