Tent dresses, despite their unfortunate name, have become a warm-weather staple in recent years. The billowy silhouette is a dream to wear in the heat, and when accessorized properly, this style can work for all body types.
One of my favorite tent dresses is the Brit Tiered Ankle Maxi Tent Dress from Amazon The Drop. It is offered in seven versatile colorways and is reasonably priced (<$60), with classic design details that won’t date the piece in a few seasons. The material–100% Tencel lyocell aka rayon–is lightweight and breathable, but isn’t stretchy.
As tent dresses are generally cut generously, I found the dress to fit true to size, except for the bust, which fits a half size smaller than expected. And for those who are short (as I am at 5’2), the straps have to be shortened a few inches, but it’s a simple enough operation that even I, a sewing novice, managed to do on my own.
* I typically wear size 00P, and ordered this dress in XXS. The straps were shortened by ~2 inches in these photos.
With maxi dresses in solid colors and relaxed silhouettes, adding a contrasting belt will help define the waist and also add some structure to your look.
If you live in an area with dramatic temperature swings, top the dress with a utility vest for warmth and visual interest.
Love tent dresses? Here are a few more options to choose from:
