42 Dresses That'll Let Your Legs Breathe After A Long Winter Of Tights And Pants

Buzz Feed

01-04-2025

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
Just wait 'til the sun hits your knees.
All sizes in this post are listed in women's.
1. A midi corset dress that'll help scratch that cottagecore itch for the TikTok-famous House of CB Carmen dress. Except for nearly $200 less.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Check it out on TikTok.
Promising reviews: "Bought this dress because I always wanted to get the House of CB dress but didn't want to pay over $250 for it. It's honestly so good! I got the size large in this since they didn't have my normal sizes, which are small to medium (I have a bigger chest, so I tend to size up). But since this has a corset back, I was able to cinch it up really tight, and it fit perfectly!" — Chris Herfurth Kennedy
"Beautiful, stunning perfection. This may be the best thing I've ever bought on Amazon. The corset in the back makes it fit like it was made for me. It's double-lined and not see-through at all, even though it's white. The straps are adjustable, the slit is a good height, and the fabric is slightly stretchy. I cannot say enough good things about it. It did come slightly wrinkly in the skirt, but nothing that a good steam won't fix." — Shoshanna
Get it from Amazon for $53.99 (available in sizes 0–14 and 17 colors/styles).
2. A floor-length gown will look soooo pretty whether you're wearing it as a bridesmaid in your friend's wedding or in impromptu photo shoot by your pal who just got a new camera.
Promising review:"Dress is very pretty and it fit very well for my plus-size body type. I was super comfortable in it. I didn't feel like it made me look frumpy like some other dresses do. Bought size 22, the chest is for larger breasts so it was a little loose but it didn't collapse down if that makes since to anyone." — Jonella
"This is probably one of my favorite dresses! I ordered it for a wedding. The color is beautiful! The fit is perfection for a plus-size girl like myself. I usually wear a 14/16 in certain dresses. The 16 fit great!! I am 5'2, I will admit I should've had the dress hemmed about two inches because I tripped a few times. But nothing worth complaining about." — Shay Jackson
Get it from Amazon for $42.99+ (available in sizes 0–30 and in 31 colors)
3. A moisture-wicking sleeveless workout dress because I don't know about you, but I'm seeing more and more people wearing sweat-wicking workout gear on the reg while doing errands (and not just leggings!) to help survive in the heat. So you'll likely reach for this super often. AND it has a few secrets...pocketed shorts underneath and a built-in bra!
Promising review:"This dress is AMAZING. I love the removable bra pads. This is a dress you could work out in. The material is very breathable, and I LOVE how deep the pockets are. They easily fit my iPhone 11. I hardly ever order clothes online because I'm so picky with how clothes fit. This is a winner. I'm going to buy more colors!! Just buy it!" — Manda
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in sizes XS–XXL and in 10 colors/patterns).
4. A corset mini dress ready to serve as a base for your Cowboy Carter tour ensemble.
Just throw in a custom sash and satin-lined cowboy hat!
Get it from American Eagle for $55.96 (available in sizes XXS–XXL).
5. A very comfy T-shirt dress with a little extra something-something thanks to the tie at the waist.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I said 'it's comfortable' like 10 times when I tried it on because that's how comfortable this dress is! It's a soft T-shirt material and it runs true to size. I love the tie in the front. I could live in this dress!" — Cyndi Lundeberg
Get it from Amazon for $25.49+ (available in sizes S–XL and in 20 colors).
6. A floral mini dress if you've gotta look really cute, really fast after flying over The North Pole to get wherever you're vacationing.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I will be buying this dress again in different colors! This dress was so pretty and good quality too. Have worn it serval times and received tons of compliments! You can dress up with heels or dress down with sneakers. Such a great summer/springtime dress!" — Danielle Sharp Furlow
Get it from Amazon for $35.09+ (available in sizes S–XL and 16 colors).
7. A long-sleeve boho dress to help you realize your easy-breezy spring style after you've been wrapped up in all sorts of cozy layers all winter.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I really love this dress — I even went back and ordered another one in a different color so I could have two! After posting this picture, I learned that six friends ordered the same dress!" — Sofietofu
Get it from Amazon for $33.99+ (available in sizes S–XL and 19 color combos).
8. A belted ruffled dress will help cut back on the math you have to do to figure out if a top will tuck neatly into a dress. This gives you that look for half the effort.
Promising review:"I love this dress! Just what I was looking for. Super soft material and light weight. I am self conscious of my arms so I love the sleeves. I have an hourglass figure and feel it accentuates the curves in the right places. I recommend ordering if you're on the fence." — Jessica
Get it from Amazon for $41.99 (available in sizes S–2XL and nine styles).
9. A one-shouldered frock prime for that early-May wedding you've got on your schedule where you'll see a ton of old college buds and, therefore, will have a horde of pics from it after.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: " I absolutely LOVE this dress! I really wanted the red one, but I wore it to my rehearsal dinner, so I decided to go with something more tame. I got so many compliments; GET IT!!" — Katie888
Get it from Amazon for $44.99+ (available in sizes S–XL and 14 colors).
10. A knee-length halter dress available in a range of colors and prints so you'll probably wanna snag a few for all kinds of seasonal photo ops.
Promising review:"Great dress! Not so short Not so long, definitely a must-buy — would be great for a cruise or vacation! Nice soft and stretchy material. Will definitely be buying another dress in a different color." — Felicia
Get it from Amazon for $38.99 (available in sizes S–XL and 37 styles).
11. A floral midi built to impress — especially if a babydoll or nap dress shape isn't your thing.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This dress!!! I got a medium and it was the perfect dress for dancing and looked amazing!" — Tiffany Hawkins
Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in sizes XS–XL and nine styles).
12. A drawstring bodycon dress with some major versatility — you can adjust the drawstring for the perfect length and look, then throw all kinds of outerwear over it as needed. (There are sooo many pregnant reviewers who love it!)
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
I own this in black and get SO many compliments on it!
Promising reviews:"I finally bought this dress after seeing it all over TikTok and HOLY SMOKES. I cannot believe how universally [good it looks on people]. It's absolutely stunning!" — Catherine Thriveni
"This dress is amazing! The fabric is so soft and silky but also has structure and because the sides are ruched, I can adjust it to the perfect length, which means a lot when you're only 5'1". The ruching allows me to control the amount of fabric gathered in the tummy and behind areas. To sum it all up, I LOVE the dress and plan on purchasing at least two more in the army green and the brown because this style dress can also be worn in the fall and spring months with a basic or colored denim jacket and a cute pair of boots or booties!" — Tonya
Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in sizes S–XL and in 24 colors/styles).
13. A black organza dress that's giving Wednesday season two. But you shouldn't wait around 'til that airs to wear it! (You can get a plain black slip to wear underneath!)
Promising review: "I use this with a simple silk undergarment of the same color...From being a beach coverup for a casual and refreshing dress for the hotter days. Size up if you have bigger arms or large breasts as it doesn't have any stretch to it at all." — Joan Espinoza-Gonzalez
Get it from Amazon for $25.99 (available in sizes XS–3XL and four styles).
14. A bodycon T-shirt dress with a tulip hem for wearing with sneakers in hot weather or with a blazer or moto jacket with heels for drinks at night.
Promising review:"This dress is phenomenal. Not see through at all (I did buy black, though), and it is lined. It's also extremely comfortable. I plan to dress it both up and down either for work or casual outings. I'll admit I was skeptical, but I definitely won't be returning this dress. And as many have stated it looks much more expensive than what it goes for." — KG
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in sizes S–XL and 22 colors and prints).
15. A wrap dress will let ya show lots of leg to the period piece beaus you're currently binge-watching.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "This dress is SO PRETTY!!! The minute I walked out I had so many people compliment on this dress I bought my regular size and absolutely love it!!! The quality is amazing...extremely soft cotton." — Sarah Arshad
Get it from Amazon for $45.99+ (available in sizes S–2XL and 28 styles).
16. A cherry-picked frock in case you need yet another '90s-inspired thing in your closet. Yes, yes you do need it. Trust me, I bought it a few summers ago and have worn it at least a dozen times since.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This looked so cute on me! It fit perfectly! I just can't wear a super padded bra but I don't mind that. The material isn't bad either for what you pay." — JH
Get it from Amazon for $28.99+ (available in sizes XS–XL and 18 colors/patterns).
17. A ~dramatic~ belted gown for some truly enviable photos once the wind hits it. You + this dress + Santorini = travel pic GOLD.
FYI, the ribbon belt is removable!
Promising review:"This dress is so incredibly gorgeous. I've been very into the high-neckline trend. I can wear it with flats or heels without worrying about it getting dirty. I love that it comes with a little matching string to tie at the waist for a more fitted look. It's so comfortable and flowy. It's exactly what I was looking for and the colors are gorgeous. :)" — Paisley
Get it from Amazon for $42.99+ (available in sizes M–XXL, S–L petite, and L–XXL tall and 28 styles).
18. A ladylike polka-dot number that tbh you could wear to brunch with your great-aunt. But it also has accommodating stretch, barely wrinkles, and will look so nice in any photos where you wanna look fab but don't wanna upstage your bucket-list surroundings.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"It comes just below the knees and covers the shoulders, so this dress was perfect for my recent trip to Asia. I was able to go into all of the temples without needing an extra cover. The striking color came out beautiful in my photos also. The material doesn't really wrinkle, so it was easy to pull out of the bag and throw on. It's not tight under the underarms, which made wearing it in the 100-degree weather much more comfortable." — dctreview
Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in sizes S–XL and 18 colors).
19. A colorful print in your choosing — there are 24 of 'em! — with a peekaboo keyhole at the bust for a lil' extra something something.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
FYI, the straps are adjustable and depending on the style you order some front ties are functional and others are just for decor!
Promising review:"Omg best dress I've ever bought on Amazon. Super comfy. Past the knee so not too short, and stretchy so there is boob room. BUY IT!" — Jessica
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in sizes XS–XL and 22 colors and prints).
20. A flowy boho style you'll get a ton of use out of in other seasons. It'll look equally amazing with cowboy boots or sandals. Cue to you in a piazza in Rome rocking this with your favorite accessory, a cone of gelato.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Reviewers say it runs a tad big because that's the style.
Promising review:"Bought this to wear to a concert and it was perfect! It does run a little big but not so big that you need to exchange. Super comfortable! Love it!" — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $30+ (available in sizes S–2X and eight colors).
21. A showstopping mesh dress you can use as a base for basically any special event's ensemble. Hello, Summer Goth.
Promising review:"I bought this for my birthday party this month (July). The dress came on time, fit me perfectly in every area and the material was fantastic for the price. I found no downsides to this dress other than the mesh is hotter than it looks. Having been born in the summer I'm used to it but it's definitely toasty! I thought it was a beautiful addition to my closet. Dark but not tacky is my fashion goal LOL. I found it to be a bit itchy, but I have the most sensitive skin of all time. Overall I'd buy this dress again, I loved it and so did everyone else!" — Kelly
Get it from Amazon for $30.98+ (available in sizes 2/4–18/20 and 15 styles/colors).
22. A ruffly sleeve number with bell sleeves that you can also snag in tons of patterns and pair with the cute open-toe shoes you've been yearning to wear all winter.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"The material is lovely and the zipper in the back brings the quality of this dress right up. I chose the leopard and I'm so glad I did — it's a classy print for me. Today I wore jewel-green medium-heeled slides and matching fringe-green earrings!" — Cindy
Get it from Amazon for $35.99+ (available in 43 styles and sizes XS–XL).
23. A short-sleeve maxi dress with POCKETS to give you lots of room to contort your legs into the comfiest possible position while you catch up with your favorite YouTubers.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
P romising review:"Soft, comfy, and great material. The color is vibrant. It fits true to size. I received a lot of compliments. It has pockets too!! I'm definitely buying more in other colors." — Latoya Santiago
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in sizes 14—26 and 39 colors).
24. A striped beaut in case you like to keep things as comfy as possible. Turns out, we're kindred spirits!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"The dress is the perfect length for work and isn't see through at all. I love black and white stripes and this dress, also, pockets!" — Brinna Kerrick
Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in sizes S–XL and 31 colors/prints).
25. An airy nap dress I own and plan to wear as much as possible. It's super easy to adjust the puff sleeves from on- to off-the-shoulder to fit your mood.
I know, I look SO elegant and not at all like I've been running on ~three hours of sleep a night for going on a week at this point of my vacation, right?! I packed it for Italy knowing that I'd be going in lots of churches and religious sites that require having your shoulders and knees covered, and I pulled it off with this by merely slipping the sleeves up higher (as seen on the right when visiting the church with The Mouth of Truth from A Roman Holiday...turns out I'm NOT a liar after all). But I owned this dress months before I touched down in Rome and have been racking up compliments from strangers on the streets of NYC thanks to this frock. ("Thanks! It's from Amazon!') It washes well, is super lightweight, and very easy to wear with a regular bra. The only thing it *doesn't* have is pockets. But I'll make an exception for this comfy beaut.
Get it from Amazon for $33.29+ (available in sizes XS–XL and seven colors).
26. A strappy casual dress to really help you show off some of the local plant life. Your fiddle-leaf fig has never looked so stunning!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I'm obsessed with this dress! It's so light and so comfortable! I bought the sapphire blue and I'm going to buy the black and potentially the green as well!" — Morgan Tecchio
Get it from Amazon for $11.04+ (available in sizes S–XL and 13 colors).
27. A tie-strap beaut in an ankle-grazing length for those moments when you've GOTTA stoop down and play with a puppy. This has you covered.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I absolutely love this dress! It's comfortable but also looks chic. I feel like it could be easily dressed up or down. I've worn mine as a halter and regularly tied as pictured. It does run a bit large so I would size down if you're in between sizes. I ordered another color after receiving mine because it's so great!" — Ally Estergard
Get it from Amazon for $25.99 (available in sizes S–XL and eight colors/patterns).
28. A *pocketed* maxi will be super easy to wear, even if your plans for the day is to just roll around on the floor with the puppy. (Am I invited?)
Promising review:"This is my new favorite dress! I absolutely love it. I go back and forth between an L and an XL and ordered an XL to be safe. It's a little big, but overall a great dress! It's lightweight enough to be extremely comfortable and breathable, but heavy enough that you can't see what's underneath. I highly recommend!" — T
Get it from Amazon for $38.99+ (available in sizes XS–XL and 31 colors and prints).
29. A slinky slip dress can look sooooo hot but is prime for layering with all your spring faves. It's a total stunner!
As you can see, I own this dress in black. And after wearing that dozens of times, I bought it in Spiced Burgundy during Black Friday sales last year.
Get it from Aritzia for $34.99 (available in sizes 2XS–1X and six colors).
30. A tiger-print dress passersby will assume you bought on a luxurious, tropical vacation. Go ahead. Let 'em assume. But then if they ask, be super helpful and point them to this Etsy shop chock full of dresses in glorious prints.
Babita Tex is a New York-based clothing store.
Get it from Babita Tex on Etsy for $46.99 (available in sizes S–XL).
31. A body con option (with pockets!) to help cover up those scrapes from a hike your partner talked you into last weekend. (I can't be the only indoorsy person who gets talked into these things.)
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Reviewers suggest ordering one size down if you don't want a loose, oversized fit.
Promising review:"I purchased this to have as a dinner dress for a cruise that my husband and I went on this past winter. It is very over-sized and loose so I ended up just wearing it as a walkaround lounge dress. But it is very comfortable and has pockets so that's a plus! The striped colors are cute too!" — Red's Wife
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in sizes S–XXL and 23 colors).
32. A halter-neck sundress in a maxi silhouette and a variety of patterns to help elevate your grand entrance — even if it's just popping in the store to buy some TP.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This purchase completely exceeded my expectations. Dress is well made and SOFT. It's also has a slip underneath, which is awesome, no fear of undies showing! Waist is elastic. Comes with a detachable belt so it can be worn with or without." — MsMGR
Get it from Amazon for $35.99+ (available in sizes S–XXL and 18 colors).
33. A striped cap sleeve midi — it might be the next best (and comfiest) thing to wearing a night gown out and about.
Promising review:"This summer dress is a must-have! I must have worn it at least once a week all summer long. It's so comfortable and the material is breathable.. even on humid days. The pockets are ideal and the flutter cap sleeves couldn't be cuter. I wore it with white sneakers, sandals and espadrilles so it's very versatile. Looking forward to pulling it out of the closet next summer." — Nikki Scott
Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in sizes 4–10 and sven styles).
34. A casual striped option with some ruffled sleeves to make it feel a bit special but not super dressy. We're keeping it casual rn.
Promising review:"This dress was perfect for our beach vacation. Lightweight yet not too thin...you could not see through the dress so it was perfect for the hot weather!! High recommend!" — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in sizes XS–XXL and eight colors/styles).
35. A linen baby doll dress you can have custom-made to fit your measurements. Plus, that super cute low back (and the upcoming summer heat) will be the perfect excuse to go bra-less. Life is short. Bra bands are too tight.
Hanalulu / Etsy
Hanalulu is a Hanoi, Vietnam-based slow fashion business.
Promising review: "Beautiful, amazing quality and such a sweet person helped me. Will order again in the future!" —Isabella Murillo
Get it from Hanalulu on Etsy for $61.60+ (available in standard sizes or custom measurements).
36. A floral maxi dress can satisfy the Debbie Jellinsky part of your personal style. (Joan Cusack is such an icon in Addams Family Values).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "It's stunning, breathtaking, and beautiful. It was love at first sight when I saw it. It's worth every penny! It makes you feel like a goddess! I got all the compliments! I'm definitely buying this dress in different prints. 🥰" — Kia Howard
Get it from Amazon for $47.99 (available in sizes XS–XXL and 12 colors).
37. A pom-pom strap maxi for a stylish twist on the "nap dress" style we all rely on to keep us cool and chic when the sun starts to bake. Twirling in this is, in fact, mandatory, and lack of twirl is punishable by nap dress law.
Amazon
Promising review: "I love this dress! It's light and airy, while still providing plenty of coverage. Cannot beat the price and the delivery time!" — Stephane McCullen
Get it from Amazon for $25.53 + (available in sizes XS–XL and 24 prints).
38. An easy, breezy patchwork mini dress to wear when you need to look cute but want the least amount of fabric possible touching your skin. (Aka, most summer days.)
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I love this dress! I ordered it in the beige color first and I absolutely love the material! It is so light and airy and flowy!" — Ironlatina
Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in sizes S–XL and 27 styles).
39. A chic mini dress that reviewers say is lightweight and breathable, so it'll prob end up in the top of your rotation come late-sprint.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "This little dress is a delightful addition to any fashion-forward wardrobe. The mini dress exudes sophistication with its deep V-neckline and charming bow tie detail, adding a touch of elegance to your ensemble. It has a pretty lightweight and breathable fabric and it's perfect for staying cool and stylish during the warmer months. I wore this dress in white on Easter and received so many compliments! The mini length adds a flirty vibe, while the flowy silhouette ensures comfort and ease of movement. Whether you're attending a brunch with friends or a summer soirée, this dress is sure to turn heads!" — Petflix
Get it from Amazon for $31.19+ (available in 22 colors and sizes S–XL).
40. A linen-blend dress with an oversized fit, wide-scoop neck, and POCKETS, so you'll probably want a few to add to your rotation.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This dress looks just like it does in the picture. It's slightly sheer but you can't see through it really and it adds to the coolness. Very lightweight and perfect for super-hot weather. We are going on to a family reunion in American Samoa and it will be perfect for the weather. It is not stretchy at all but it is not form fitting either. It is a little boxy but it's kind of bohemian and cute. I really like it." — Jade Y, size 3XL
Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in sizes S–3XL and nine colors).
41. A versatile tiered maxi dress to layer with your longer-sleeve tops so you can comfortably sit in your chilly office.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
This dress is from Amazon's The Drop line.
Promising review: "I bought this dress for a trip to Miami. I wound up wearing it both as a dress and as a swimsuit cover-up and could not be happier. It is soft, breathable, and has deep, truly useable pockets. It packed very well and I felt pretty wearing it. Could not ask for more." — Becky in Iowa
Get it from Amazon for $43.33+ (available in sizes XXS–5X and in 20 colors).
42. A graphic maxi dress for a chic, dramatic statement. Pregnant *and* non-pregnant reviewers are raving about it!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I'm 5'2" and currently 33 weeks pregnant. I'm normally a small and I ordered a small. The dress was snug, but is a stretchy material so it stretched well to fit the bump. I got a lot of compliments on it when I wore it to lunch and from others on social media. I'm short and wore flats so you'll see it did not really go all the way down to the floor. It has adjustable straps and the material is like a thick sweater stretch material." — Jessica
Get it from Amazon for $22.33+ (available in sizes S–XL and 34 designs).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.