28 Things For Anyone Who Doesn’t Want To Sweat This Summer But Refuses To Wear A Dress

28 Things For Anyone Who Doesn’t Want To Sweat This Summer But Refuses To Wear A Dress

BuzzFeed-Shopping·2025-06-14 05:03

Popular products from this list

Drawstring shorts if you want to wear garments so light in weight that you feel as if you could just float away. And of course, these shorts have functional pockets, we know those are essential.

Levi's 501 original shorts with a stretchy and soft feel that'll make you think they were custom-made to fit your particular bod. They'll hug you without smothering you.

A high-waist split wide-leg pant just begging to give you the perfect bottom — a little skirt, a little pants, and a little bit Alexis.

Unless otherwise specified, all sizes in this post are listed in women's.

1. Cotton belted linen pants, a great alternative to jeans with a light material that'll still allow for airflow so your nether regions don't get too steamy. Some even come with a flowy ruffled hem.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review: "I was really surprised by these. I was looking for comfortable cotton, high-waisted pants to wear around the house while working from home. These pants are a great price for the quality, in my opinion. I’ve spent double the price on other high-waisted pants that I have to constantly steam to keep wrinkles out of after washing and wearing for 10 minutes. The key for these pants is the cotton material. It makes them breathable and comfortable for all-day wear. They don’t wrinkle up or require ironing/steaming after you wash them if you just hang them to dry. The high waist is lovely, and I think I am going to buy another pair." —Wolfvswolf

Get them from Amazon for $25.63+ (available in sizes S—XL and 18 colors).

2. A crochet vest because you like rockin' the DIY looks, even if you didn't actually do it. This ensemble (oh, did I mention it has matching shorts?) is ready to be the star of your summer season.

Target

Get it from Target for $14 (originally $20; available in sizes XS–4X and two colors).

3. A floral flared polka dot skirt that's pretty much like wearing a dress, except you get to pair it with your fave graphic tee so it's better.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review: "I live in California and it's hot. Cotton is the way to go and so hard to find. This skirt looks great and is cool and comfortable for any activity. It's great for travel. I took it out of my suitcase, put it on, and was ready to go." —Christopher Archuleta

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in sizes S—XXL and 18 colors).

4. A stylish and breathable off-shoulder romper because when the heat starts to turn up, you won't want to waste energy piecing together an outfit. One and done? Works for us! Also, it has a banded ankle that's perfect for the shorty doo wops because it won't drag on the floor.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review: "This jumpsuit is amazingly comfortable! This romper fits me great! I can dress it up with heels, wear it casually with Vans, or even super comfy with some sandals! It is soft and breathable and is made with great material. It also looks lovely as a scoop neck. I am so happy with this purchase!" —Brandy B

Get it from Amazon for $35.99+ (available in sizes S—3XL and in 32 colors).

5. Summer-approved, high-waisted yoga shorts you can wear beyond your morning walk around the block. You can wear them with other workout gear or pair them with an oversized beach tee or crop top. The possibilities are endless.

amazon.com

Promising review: "I bought these shorts for a recent hiking trip. I haven't ever purchased this style of shorts before but knew they would probably be the most comfortable to wear for all-day hikes in Arizona. I absolutely love them! I bought them in navy, and the camo print, and both pairs are great. The waist stayed in place, and the legs didn't ride up at all. I will be buying more of these for my summer outdoor activities!" —Isabella

Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in sizes XS—3XL and 36 colors).

6. A stretchy faux-wrap tee to replace those basic tees with a top that has added flair. There is nothing basic about this tee, honeyyy. Practical note: One reviewer says it's also a great top for nursing! 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "I have this shirt in black and white, and it's the perfect crop top for anything high-waisted or maxi skirts. The material is super stretchy and comfy. The white is not as see-through as I thought it might be and is perfect to wear with a simple bra or cami. Would buy in every color!" —skye

"Firstly, I LOVE modal fabric. It’s lightweight and keeps you at a comfortable temperature, whether hot or cold, because it’s truly breathable and is buttery soft. The color is spot on, and the fit is as expected if you know your measurements. It seems good quality for the cost. It’s a must for nursing moms!" —Zee Tee

Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in sizes XS-XL and 18 colors).

7. An open-back unitard in case you're looking for a two-for-one scenario. It comes with a built-in bra and comfy bike shorts, together as one, in unity.

Girlfriend Collective

Promising review: "I absolutely LOVE the cut! I have other Girlfriend Collective unitards, but this one is so incredibly complementary in the fit, length, and cut. As always, the feel of the material is so wonderful — incredibly soft and stretchy while also feeling comfortable enough to be sweating and working out in!" —Jessica S.

Get it from Girlfriend Collective for $82 (available in sizes XXS—6XL and 11 colors).

8. A mega-full tulle skirt for a storybook look that gives main character energy, but isn't too dressy to wear on a regular day. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This skirt is lovely! The perfect length and just the right amount of fluff to it. I bought the dark champagne color, and it looked gorgeous in the sun. Very fun! It fit perfectly." —Kimberly

Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in sizes XS–5X and in 45 colors).

9. Levi's 501 original shorts with a stretchy and soft feel that'll make you think they were custom-made to fit your particular bod. They'll hug you without smothering you.

amazon.com

Promising review: "The shorts are amazing. I was skeptical at first, but they fit so comfortably. I always like to say Levi's makes denim to fit bodies comfortably. If you know what I mean, you know what I mean. These shorts have a little bit of give. They are not stiff. The length is perfect. I do not like pants to be tight around my abdomen. These shorts fit perfectly! I wore them a few times, and they do not stretch out. Fit me like a glove. I will be buying another pair today. If you are looking for cute denim cut-off shorts, you found them." —Sarah balasanian

Get it from Amazon for $25+ (available in sizes 23—39 and 41 colors).

10. A high-waist split wide-leg pant just begging to give you the perfect bottom — a little skirt, a little pants, and a little bit Alexis.

amazon.com

Promising review: "These pants are so gorgeous and airy! The elastic waistband is very stretchy and the material is soft and thin so it’s perfect for both warm and cool weather. These pants can be easily dressed up or down and are so comfortable you can probably sleep in them (lol). I love that the style of these is appropriate for both everyday wear and dressier wear, depending on how you style them. I’m so impressed by these that I will be purchasing them in other colors. It's definitely a great staple to have in your wardrobe!" —Casey B.

Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in sizes 0—12 and seven colors)

11. A V-neck jumpsuit in case you want to rock a one-piece with as little sleeve as possible so your shoulders can catch some sun. Reviewers say it's so comfortable, you may never want to take it off (that's why they slept in theirs).

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review: "Loved this so much. Bought it for my trip to the Bahamas and received a lot of compliments. Very, very comfy. The soft material and size were perfect. You can dress it up or down. I will be buying another one in a different color." —Motherof3boys

Get it from Amazon for $28.99 (available in sizes S–XL and in 12 colors)

12. Or some overalls with pockets that you'll practically live in, especially if you WFH. Two words: So comfy.

amazon.com

Promising review: "These are so cute and comfortable! I wore it to Disneyland on a hot sunny day. It kept me cool while waiting in line for rides. The front pocket was perfect to hold my phone and shades." —Heidi

Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in sizes S—3XL and 12 colors).

13. A sheer long-sleeved ruched crop top — yes, technically it's a bathing suit cover-up, but this bohemian piece can be whatever you need it to be. And, in this heat, it will be a top.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review: "If you’re on the fence, buy it! I bought the white, and it is ridiculously adorable. The arms are very long, which is great. I plan to wear this on our summer vacation to the beach. This can be worn as a beach cover with shorts or as an outfit for later." —M. Hadley

Get it from Amazon for $36.98+ (available in sizes S—XL and 28 colors).

14. A lightweight button-down tank that's effortless to style and ready to mix and match with your already bustling wardrobe. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I love these shirts so much! I have a couple of colors and will buy more! They’re super comfortable, the material is great, and they look good with almost all bottoms! You can dress them down or up, and so far, they’ve been fine in both the washer and dryer." —C_Jameson

Get it from Amazon for $24.95 (available in 18 colors and in sizes XS–XXL).

15. A ~groovy~ oversize dolman-sleeve tee to add to your wardrobe if you're in your boho era. It's giving wild and free lead singer of a 70's rock band. All you need is a tambourine and a dream.

Torrid

Promising review: "I LOVE how this shirt fits and how the cut complements me! It’s soft, and I like the detail of the rough edges." —Kikicali89

Get it from Torrid for $39.90 (available in sizes 10–30 and three colors).

16. Jean overall shorts for that farmer-chic look you love so much. This denim onesie will let you wear your favorite material without suffocating your stems.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review: "These are the perfect summer staple and are of decent quality! The denim is a bit thinner but that will be nice when it's 100+ degrees in the summer. It fits just like I want it to. Really excited to wear these!" —Georgia Berning

Get it from Amazon for $35.99+ (available in sizes S—XXL and 13 colors).

17. A flowy maxi skirt complete with pockets. Such a cute and airy option, don't be surprised if you see your roomie sashaying in it on their Instagram story.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review: "This is a great, lightweight skirt. It's versatile and can be dressed up or down. The best part is that it has pockets! It's very flowy and fun. It fit perfectly in the waist (I wear mine high-waisted) and is ankle length on me." —jessie

Get it from Amazon for $33.89+ (available in sizes S—XXL and 17 colors).

18. A glitzy mesh top that's super chic for a BFF getaway. At this point, it doesn't even matter what bottoms you're wearing — your top has done ALL the work. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I love this top! It is so comfortable and looks great! Not scratchy at all. Fits great!" —M. A. Stavropoulos

Get it from Amazon for $18.98+ (available in sizes XS–XXL and nine colors).

19. A cotton racerback tank top to give you another versatile top that comes in a million colors you can mix and match with all of your bottoms all summer long. Yes, all summer long.

amazon.com

Promising review: "I have bought four different colors of this exact same shirt. I think I am slightly obsessed! I sized up, but I knew I wanted the shirt to be longer and not too cropped. The material is great! It's not see-through, super soft, and holds up great in the washer and dryer. I also love the style of the racer back so it doesn't show my sports bra, which allows for a clean and sleek look." —shelley

Get it from Amazon for $9.98+ (available in S—3XL and 45 colors).

20. A comfy casual T-shirt ready to become 90% of your summer wardrobe because it's an easy number that can be dressed up, dressed down, or slept in, tbh. It's a classic.

amazon.com

Promising review: "Can I tell you how much I HATE wearing an undershirt on a hot day?! It’s so frustrating to look for shirts in the store and have them all be translucent, too tight, too baggy, or have words on them. I saw these and figured I could send them back if I hated them. Well, I LOVE THEM. They are soft, they aren’t see-through, and they fit amazingly well. I get complimented on them every time I wear them. You can’t beat the price, either. I can even wear the white ones without an undershirt. I have several colors and will buy more." —KH

Get it from Amazon for $12.80+ (available in two- and four-packs, sizes XS—XXL and in a variety of colors).

21. A halter romper to showcase those shoulders with a stylish but simplistic design.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review: "I wasn’t really sure if I would like this romper, but I love it!!! I received so many compliments today. I wasn’t sure how long it would be. It’s still kinda short (especially in the back) because I have plenty back there, but I love it anyway." —Tippy

Get it from Amazon for $34.99 (available in sizes S–XL and 14 colors).

22. A scoop-neck spaghetti-strap top you should probably buy in every color offered because they're lightweight and look amazing with anything.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review: "This is the perfect tank! It’s exactly what I wanted. It hits right above my belly button, not too cropped, not too long. I will be ordering many more colors. I wear them to work out and dress them up a little more with jeans. You won’t regret buying this!" —Timmy Demelo

Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in sizes XS—L and 40 colors).

23. Drawstring shorts if you want to wear garments so light in weight that you feel as if you could just float away. And of course, these shorts have functional pockets, we know those are essential.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Some reviewers suggest sizing up for a looser fit.

Promising review: "I really like these! They’re the perfect paper bag shorts. Very complimentary! I want some in every color now!!" —Corinne Best

"I have them in two colors — I like my shorts to be a bit bigger, so I sized up from my usual XL to XXL. They wash well and serve as a summer basic staple. Very comfortable and cool." —Yup.

Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in sizes S—4XL and 14 colors).

24. A floral puff-sleeve blouse on the days you're looking for a little extra style for an outing or work meeting. It's still a lightweight option, but it's heavy on cuteness.

amazon.com

Promising review: "This is a very cute top. At first, I was afraid that the print was too old-fashioned, but I paired it with jeans and Birkenstocks, and it was adorable. The top is lined, and you cannot see through it. The quality is very good. You can definitely dress it up or down, but I thought it looked better tucked in. I think you could wear it in all seasons with layers. Please note, I love the cute back button but I thought the top was hard to button by myself. It may be difficult if you live alone or have upper mobility issues. Highly recommend overall." —Rachel Boggs

Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in sizes S—XXL and 29 colors).

25. High-waisted rolled denim shorts if you're into that ~ready to journey to Skull Island~ kind of look. The waist also features this super cool ruffled detail that almost demands a crop top pairing.

amazon.com

Promising review: "These are the best summer shorts. I wish I had these in multiple colors. The fit is spot-on. I purchased the blue denim and the black and both are great, but I want more colors. I also love the elastic waist." —doub515

Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in sizes XS—XL and four colors).

26. An off-the-shoulder peplum top to give your shoulders and clavicle the spotlight they deserve while also accentuating your silhouette. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Great fit and so comfortable! The wiring at the front required a little messing around with to get right, but after figuring that out, it was perfect. Planning to purchase in other colors!" —Amanda Lessner

Get it from Amazon for $34.99 (available in sizes L–4XL and five colors)

27. High-waisted adjustable bow shorts — picture it, a local community concert in the park with your besties. You've got a chilled drink in one hand and a deep-fried something in the other hand. Can you see it? Now, add to cart.

amazon.com

Promising review: "I've had the pants version of these for a while now and wear them constantly, so I had to try out the shorts for warmer weather. They're exactly what I was looking for and are, as expected, a shorts version of the pants — same material, same fit. The high waist is perfect, and the material is lightweight without being cheap." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in sizes S—XXL and 17 colors).

28. A long sleeve tee made with UPF50+ for ultimate sun protection. This top is designed to help your body stay cool and also wicks away moisture. You'll definitely want to pack this one for your weekend lake getaway.

amazon.com

Promising review: "This shirt provided great protection from the sun during our fishing and beach trip. I wore it on the boat, pool, and ocean. It fit well and was comfortable. The sleeves were the perfect length for me. The fit around my shoulders and stomach was just right for me." —Bryant

Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in sizes XS—3XL and 28 colors).

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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