I put 6 Amazon summer dresses to the test — they're all under $50, and one stood out above the rest

Yahoo

2 days ago

Last year, I purged my closet and donated several dresses that no longer brought me joy. The best part about getting rid of stuff is that you feel less guilty about treating yourself to something new — it's simple math, really. When I set out to revamp my wardrobe, I wasn't looking to spend a fortune, so I took a look at some of Amazon's bestselling dresses for inspiration. I couldn't decide on just one, so I ended up adding six different styles to my cart. Everything I chose is under $50, so I figured, why not?
I was most excited about this corset dress, but did I love it when I tried it on? And what about this floral maxi dress? It has more than 15,000 reviews, but did it live up to the hype? Scroll below to see which Amazon dresses have earned a permanent place in my closet, whether for my next summer party or vacation.
What I like about it: The moment I tried this on, I knew it was a keeper. It falls right at the knee, and the soft spandex/rayon blend hugs my figure in all the right places. It's easy to dress up with a pair of heels and a stylish blazer or throw on over your bathing suit for a day at the beach. I ordered it in a small which was perfect as it fits true to size. The empire waist and pleats make it a great choice for when I'm feeling a bit bloated but still want to wear something cute.
Room for improvement: It does wrinkle and it's also a little sheerer than I thought, so you definitely want to be mindful of your undergarment selections when wearing.
What other shoppers are saying: This dress has an average rating of 4.0 stars from more than 950 reviews. Shoppers agree it's "true to size," "flattering," and say it "drapes beautifully."
What I like about it: This maxi is a fun choice for a night out or a summer wedding. I like the sash, which gives it a bit more of a refined look. My favourite detail of the dress is the cute ruffled capped sleeves. The 95 per cent rayon fabric feels great on and doesn't cling to the body, which is perfect on those hot summer nights. I ordered this wrap dress in a small and it was a little big on me.
Room for improvement: This dress wrinkles so easily! For that reason alone I would hand wash it, anything to cut down on the wrinkles. Also, as it's shorter in the front, it does ride up a bit when you sit down, which I don't love.
What other shoppers are saying: Shoppers call this maxi "so comfortable" and say it's "flattering and forgiving." Another reviewer is impressed with how much "boob room" the dress provides, saying that if you are "chesty," this is the dress for you.
What I like about it: This cheap corset dress was the one I was most excited to order. The length is great, falling a little below the knee. The corset is surprisingly comfortable even when tied tight. This polyester dress is not stretchy and it runs true to size.
Room for improvement: I so wanted this dress to be a winner for me, but alas, it was far from it. I'm 5'5" with a short torso, and this dress didn't fall quite right on my frame. The slit up the front was also a little too high for my personal taste. I know I am slim, but the corset still didn't seem to do anything to "snatch" my waist.
What other shoppers are saying: One reviewer called this dress "very flattering," going on to say that the fabric is "light and flowy" and "perfect for summer." Another said that it "fits true to size" and is "amazing quality."
What I like about it: I could live in this soft and stretchy dress all year long. It falls rights below the knee, is easy to put on, and the front pockets are the best. The decorative brown buttons down the front? Perfection. I accidentally ordered a medium, and I'm glad I did. It fits great and the looser size is great for throwing on over my bathing suit or to run errands in the morning.
Room for improvement: As I mentioned, I accidentally ordered the medium, so it's a little baggy in the underarms, but I think if I had gotten the small, that wouldn't have been a problem.
What other shoppers are saying: "The dress fits great and is very comfortable," says one review. They also said the "soft" dress "feels good on." Another customer said that this "great" dress is "very forgiving," while another person called the dress "flattering" and "comfy."
What I like about it: This maxi dress is my top choice dress for casual comfort. I don't care what mood I am in; the second I put on this virtually wrinkle-free dress, I am revived. The hidden side pockets are great and I find myself reaching for this dress over others I own. It's flattering and runs true to size.
Room for improvement: I'm 5'5" and I ordered a small and it fell right at my ankles. I can imagine if I were any shorter the dress would be too long.
What other shoppers are saying: Dubbed the " most comfortable dress" by one shopper, the maxi has earned more than 15,000 reviews on Amazon. It's "beautifully made" and "true to size."
What I like about it: If you are looking for a low-maintenance dress that gives you a polished and professional look, this is it. The fabric doesn't wrinkle easily, and it's super easy to clean.
It's also great for travel. Just take it out of your suitcase and let it hang in the closet for a bit and voila, your dress is ready for a night on the town.
Room for improvement: The only reason I am not giving this dress five stars is that I wish it was a little longer. What can I say? Below the knee is my preferred length for warm-weather dresses. It also runs a little big. But this one still scores an A, just not an A+.
What other shoppers are saying: Of its 1,770+ reviews, 59 per cent of shoppers gave this knee-length dress a perfect five-star rating. One person said this "great dress" looks "just like the picture" and "fits true to size."
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by all 6 of the Amazon spring and summer dresses that I tried — especially given their affordable price point. If you're thinking about buying — here's my ultimate ranking and reasoning:
1. MOLERANI Maxi Dress with Pockets: I'm obsessed with this wear-anywhere dress, which shoppers call the "most comfortable dress." It's versatile, flattering and fits true to size — but if you're on the shorter side, it may be a bit too long.
2. MOLERANI Sleeveless Button-Down Dress: Another slam dunk from MOLERANI! This little number is flattering and hits right below the knees, making it great for warm days. Shoppers say it's "very forgiving" and I'll be wearing it everywhere from backyard BBQs to the beach.
3. Famulily V-Neck Puff Sleeve Dress: This low-maintenance dress is polished and professional, and is also super easy to clean. The only downside? It's a bit short for me — but that definitely may just be personal preference.
4. WEACZZY Summer Dress: This sleek empire waist and pleats make it a great choice for a day when you're feeling casual but want to still want to look put-together. I do want to flag that it is a bit sheer, so you'll want to be mindful with your choice in undergarments.
5. GRECERELLE V-Neck Maxi Dress: This dress would be cute for a wedding or another event, but it wrinkles really easily. That combined with the fact that the front rides up when you sit down means I wouldn't recommend it for more than a couple wears.
6. Courecrop Midi Corset Dress: This one didn't do it for me at all — but again, personal preference. I found that the "corset" waist didn't do much to highlight my figure, and the front slit was a bit too high for my taste. I'd personally recommend skipping this one — but to each their own.