When the weather heats up and the sun is beating down, there’s nothing better than dressing up in a comfortable summer dress. Every woman needs this staple piece (or 10) in her wardrobe. However, not all summer dresses are created equal. Once you find a style that suits your body, you’ll be able to stock up easily, but where to begin?

With so many shapes, cuts, styles and fabrics to choose from, we’re here to walk you through some of the trendiest options so you can find that perfect summer dress. Before you consider the various fabrics and colors to choose from, take your body shape into account. As a general rule:

• Apple-shaped bodies look best in loose cuts that show off the arms and legs without clinging to the midsection. Go for shift styles and don’t be afraid of short cuts.
• Straight bodies look best in form-fitting illusion dresses that use color blocking or patterns to create curves.
• Hourglass bodies look best in dresses with defined waists. Go for cuts that pull in at the middle at the slimmest point of the waist.
• Pear-shaped bodies look best in sleeveless styles that pull in at the waist and balloon out with a full skirt.

Now that you know which shapes to look out for, let’s explore the various fabrics, lengths, colors and sleeve styles that are on-trend for the warm-weather season.

Fabrics That Keep You Cool

With natural fibers that allow air to circulate through the fabric, cotton is always the ideal choice for summer wear. Some other comfortable contenders include linen, chambray, rayon and blended fabrics.

Browse the broad range of options at JJsHouse, where you can find a wide selection of summer dresses in the coolest fabrics for the season.

Wear it High or Low

The cool thing about dresses for hot weather is that they come in every length imaginable. From mini-skirts to fun and flowy knee-length dresses to maxis that reach down to the floor, it’s really all about your body type and comfort level when it comes to choosing a length for your summer dress. Curvy bodies look best in styles that pull in at the waist and flow out into a knee-length skirt, while straight and tall bodies do well in long, form-fitting maxis.

The summer dress collection at VeryVoga includes the trendiest dresses in every length. Browse their collection for everything from mini lengths to floor-length maxis.

All the Colors of the Rainbow

The most important rule for choosing summer dress colors is to stay away from dark shades. Not only do they not embody the spirit of the season, they attract the heat from the sun and will make you feel much hotter. That being said, go as bold or neutral as you like. Choose bright colors like orange and magenta, play it pale with peach and lavender or choose neutral shades like beige and nude.

Sleeves or No Sleeves? That is the Question

Many summer dresses are sleeveless, but if you have reservations about letting your arms show, there are some super-stylish looks with short sleeves and 3/4-length sleeves. If you’re looking for a dress with sleeves, make sure they’re loose to allow air to flow through them so you don’t feel overheated.

Now that you know what to look for this summer season, upgrade your wardrobe by stocking up on this hot-weather essential.