13 Easy, Breezy, Under-$50 Summer Dresses That Are Perfect For The Southern Heat

The summer heat just hits differently down here in the South, and if your wardrobe is not fully equipped with lightweight basics that can easily be layered, you’re doing something wrong. The key to surviving a Southern summer (besides a weekly pitcher of homemade lemonade, of course) is a light and flowy capsule collection of breezy dresses that will keep you cool on sweaty days and humid nights. And these Amazon summer dresses, which are all under $50, definitely fit the bill.

Included in our top picks for Amazon summer dresses are fan-favorite Amazon brands that you know and love: PrettyGarden, Anrabess, Zesica, and more. Some of these frocks are customer-loved with thousands of positive ratings and reviews, while others are newer styles we’re sure will make a splash among shoppers looking to beat the Southern heat.

Keep reading for the best Amazon summer dresses under $50—below. Prices start at $28.

Shop Amazon Summer Dresses Under $50

• PrettyGarden Button-Down Maxi Dress, $49.88
• Anrabess Flutter Sleeve Midi Dress, $27.99
• Yesno Swing Dress, $34.99 (orig. $55.99)
• Grace Karin Floral Maxi Dress, $32.19 (orig. $46.99)
• Anrabess Tiered Maxi Dress, $33.99 (orig. $42.99)
• PrettyGarden Cross Neck Maxi Dress, $49.98 (orig. $66.98)
• Dokotoo Block Maxi Dress, $31.99
• PrettyGarden Tiered Long Dress, $45.98
• Anrabess Babydoll Beach Dress, $40.99
• Zesica One-Shoulder Maxi Dress, $34.84 (orig. $47.99)
  

PrettyGarden Button-Down Maxi Dress

Did someone say “garden party?” This button-down maxi dress takes a subtle page out of the shirtdress’ book and raises it up one thanks to flouncy tiers, black pom-pom trim, and dramatized puff sleeves that add volume and interest. This breezy dress is versatile enough for most summer occasions, garden tea parties, picnics, and brunch plans included, and depending on what you’re going for, it’s very easy to dress up—for an event—or dress down—for the beach.

Anrabess Flutter Sleeve Midi Dress

Throw this flutter-sleeved, tiered midi dress on and head out the door—it's as simple as that. It has a crew neck, high waist, and playful, flirty frills on the shoulder that add some texture and volume. For just $28, it's available in Army Green (as pictured above), Burgundy, Navy Blue, Black, and Pink, so there really is a color for every occasion, whether you take it with you on vacation, wear it on the weekends, or style it for the office. No matter where you wear it, it's bound to keep you cool and looking stylish.

Yesno Swing Dress

With more than 10,000 perfect five-star ratings, this pretty swing dress has a lot of fans that pine over its casual comfort and flattering fit. It can easily be dressed up with wedges or dressed down with slip-on sneakers. It also makes a great maternity dress for summer (if that applies to you), and one shopper even mentioned in the reviews that they wore it as a wedding guest dress.

“I wore it to an outdoor wedding last week and it was perfect in the Southern summer heat,” one five-star reviewer wrote. “I got so many compliments and gave out the link to numerous people.” They added that they are “long-waisted,” so it can be “super difficult for me to find a dress that  hangs right and has a waist in a good spot.” But for this shopper, “this dress was perfect.”

Grace Karin Floral Maxi Dress

A floral patterned dress in summer is always a good idea—just as long as the bees don’t mistake you for something that needs to be pollinated. You’ll love how delicate and sweet this pale yellow midi dress with light ruching and ruffles is, especially when paired with other summer accessories like marked down pastel bags from the Coach Outlet or a Vera Bradley tote. Shoppers also call it “flattering, soft, and flowy,” too.

Anrabess Tiered Maxi Dress

This casual frock is perfect for beach walks, porch sitting, or just about anything else you’d do in the South during the summer. It has a lovely loose fit that’s comfortable yet still flattering, and best of all, it has pockets—aka every woman’s dream! Available in more than 28 colors (though prices may vary by style), this loose pull-on dress with 1,835 five-star ratings gives you plenty of room to breathe whether you’re traveling, working, or lounging around the house. One shopper said, “It is so cool and comfortable for Florida weather,” adding that they “love this dress” and even bought it in blue, too.

PrettyGarden Cross Neck Maxi Dress

When you need a summer dress that’s just slightly elevated than the traditional, more casual frock, this cross neck maxi is the perfect fit. A cinched-in, ruched waist, multiple frilly tiers, a deep V-neck, and tie-strap sleeves give it that little something “extra” that’s giving more “event” or “special occasion” than it is “beach.” Wear it as the perfect guest wedding dress on a hot Southern Sunday, or like some of the dress’ reviewers, to a baby shower, dinner party, work event, or a family photoshoot. This maxi has also converted several large-chested shoppers into fans, with them raving about the flattering fit.

Dokotoo Block Maxi Dress

This block maxi dress doesn’t need much else in terms of styling—maybe just some summery sandals and a beachy bag—because the bold striped design, the small V-neck, and color-blocked hemline do most of the work. Designed for a loose and comfy fit, you can wear this relaxed maxi around the house, as a bathing suit cover-up, to run errands, pick up the kids, and even out to lunch with the girls. It also has a side-split detail that opens up the dress, so it’s not too restrictive and easy to walk in.

PrettyGarden Tiered Long Dress

Fitted on top and loose, flowy, and tiered on the bottom, this PrettyGarden dress is the ultimate sun dress that you’ll find yourself wearing all summer long. Available in 15 colors—including newly introduced styles in Bean Paste Red, Blue Green, Lake Blue, orange, and navy—the best part about this flowing smocked dress is that you pull it on and head out the door. It requires little to no styling, is extremely flattering, and immediately gives you a desirable silhouette that’s both classic and complimentary.

Anrabess Babydoll Beach Dress

This ruffled babydoll dress will keep you cool on extra sunny days when a midi or maxi dress just won’t cut it. Available in 12 colors, including black, red, navy blue, and more, it falls just above the knee, making it the perfect bathing suit cover-up or day dress to wear as you run errands or sit outside on the porch sipping lemonade. It’s got pretty, flutter-like sleeves that add a little volume to the frock’s loose fit, and what do you know—it also has pockets!

Zesica One-Shoulder Maxi Dress

With a sleek empire waist and structured off-the-shoulder top, this Zesica maxi dress is giving feminine elegance from top to bottom. Sleeveless, backless, and featuring flattering side ruffles that add volume to the one shoulder strap, this airy dress might have more structure than some other swing maxis, but it’s still plenty airy to keep you cool at an event—even when there’s no air conditioning.

PrettyGarden Puff Sleeve Maxi Dress

Available in 10 vibrant colors and patterns, this puff sleeve maxi dress really makes a statement on a bright and sunny day. While you could absolutely wear this on casual days where you don’t do much or go out, this bouncy, flowing dress is begging to be worn out to a girls’ night, brunch, or a weekend BBQ. It, too, is layered with figure-flattering tiers and each style’s bold prints serve as an eye-catcher and a conversation starter. Pair it with sunglasses, a hat, and some strappy sandals for a more curated look.

Anrabess Spaghetti Strap Asymmetric Maxi Dress

Grab this spaghetti strap maxi dress with asymmetrical ruffled tiers in 16 different colors and three patterned styles. This long and flowy dress screams “beach!,” but of the 1,608 five-star Amazon ratings, plenty of shoppers have worn it to birthday parties, anniversary parties, date nights, outdoor weddings, and more.

PrettyGarden A-Line Beach Sundress

Bring a little coastal flair to the South with this beach-inspired A-line sundress adorned in stripes (or buy it in any of its other bold patterns if that’s more your style). Our favorite feature is the tie-on straps that give it a beachy yet romantic vibe—you know, something straight out of a Nicholas Sparks film. Like so many of the maxi and midi dresses on this list, it pairs well with minimal accessories—just a sun hat and flip-flops will do.