I put 3 under-$100 Amazon dresses to the test. As a 48-year-old mom of 2, this 'flattering' one stood out
It's no secret that I live in sweatpants most of the time. I'm a 48-year-old mom of two young boys who are always on the go, so getting dressed often consists of throwing on whatever's easiest.
But after my son recently said, "Mama, look, we have the same uniform," pointing to his blue sweats and T-shirt, I felt like I wanted to step things up for summer. Amazon is one of my go-to's for affordable clothing, and they have a ton of cute dresses that I was eyeing for summer 2025.
I purchased three trending Amazon dresses — all under $100. Read on for my honest review.
$38 at Amazon
This dress is probably the one I have worn the most since purchasing. It's super comfortable, requires minimal maintenance and when my son got chocolate on the skirt, it was easily removed with a quick wash. It's one of those dresses that can work for any occasion. I wore it first on a long car trip and then, a few days later, to a family reunion. I'm also a fan of any dress with capped sleeves, especially ones with ruffles. I also appreciate that the pockets on the dress are hidden in the seams so they don't add bulk. The length is perfect. It's not too long, so wearing it with heels is easy, but it also isn't so short that I need to be mindful if I shaved my legs that day, or, well, the day before.
This dress features an elastic bodice that I find a bit itchy, especially in humid summer weather. Since my double mastectomy a few years back, I don't wear a bra, so maybe if you do it's less of an issue.
Customers are also fans of this "flattering" and "really cute, classy" dress — however, while some shoppers say it fits "true to size," others find it to fit "very small." If you're worried about having enough room, "especially under the arms," shoppers advise to size up.
$37 at Amazon
This dress is super easy to dress up or down. I can throw a blazer over it and am camera-ready for a Zoom meeting, or I can dress it up with heels for a summer patio party. I already own this frock in black, but I decided to purchase a second one in this cute summery pattern, which is so flattering and hides all the dribbles and dirt from my two kids. I also really like how it falls right below the knee, as the skin on my knees is super dry and can sometimes look a bit crepey.
I love any dress with pockets, but I wish the pockets on this dress were placed on the seams for a more streamlined look. I also found this fabric to wrinkle quite easily — so it's best to have a steamer nearby.
With more than 6,000 reviews, shoppers have lots of good things to say about this no. 1 bestseller. "Beautiful dress," raves one customer who says it "fits well" and is "true to size." Another person says they love the "very comfortable" and "well-made" dress. However, some did caution it's "built for smaller busted women" and that if your bust is on the "larger" size the waist of the dress "rides up higher."
$90 at Amazon
This dress caught my eye because it reminded me of one I spotted at Aritzia last year, but was half the price. The cotton dress has two sexy side cutouts and comfortable elastic at the waist. While I haven't washed it yet, I do appreciate that it's machine washable. The midi length and seamed skirt are also super fun. And yes, it has pockets at the side, which I adore. The size selection is also terrific, with sizes ranging from XXS to 4X in stock. I have to say, you don't always get a broad selection of sizes on Amazon, so it's always a nice plus when you do. I ordered it in the XS and love the way it fits on top. The dress also provides a bit more coverage, so great option for fall or cooler summer evenings — or an air-conditioned wedding!
It's always a double-edged sword with cotton dresses. On the one hand, they feel so soft against your skin, but on the other, they tend to wrinkle a lot. Unfortunately, this frock is no exception. I steamed it before going out and yet by the end of the night, the wrinkles were back with a vengeance. That said, everyone complimented me on the dress, and honestly, no one but me noticed the wrinkles.
The "cute and comfortable" dress is "great for summer," shoppers say. Customers also noted that the "true to size" dress "fits beautifully." While the dress is machine washable, one customer said it will "shrink in the dryer," and some also mentioned that if you have a larger bust, you may want to size up.
While I like all these Amazon dresses, if I had to choose one, the Coloody Women's Summer Casual Midi Dress comes out on top. It's easy to pack, hard to wrinkle and feels great on — plus it comes in so many cute colours. The fact that I have washed it a couple of times and it still looks great is an added bonus.
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