Let’s make one thing clear: It is still summer dress season! No matter how much autumn enthusiasts say otherwise, we still have almost a full month of official summer left (and plenty more, if we’re really being honest about how hot late September actually is now!). And as someone who is constantly scouring the plus size market online, one of my top shopping tips is that mid August is my favorite time to find a cute summer dress to add to my collection, because lots of brands are already marking them way down in their end-of-season clearances. It’s like getting the deep discounts of buying off-season, but with the added benefit of being able to wear your new piece at least once before storing it for next year! And a lot of these styles can easily be transitioned into fall just by adding boots and/or a light jacket!

And summer dresses are a particularly fun category to shop for: There’s just something so wonderful about a one piece outfit you can throw on and run out the door in without having to think about it, especially when that outfit gets you tons of compliments! There are plus size dress options for every vibe and aesthetic too: Whether you want floaty sundresses, slinky slip dresses, chic shirt dresses, casual tee dresses, sexy minis, or resortwear-ready maxis, there are a LOT of great plus size summer dresses on the market right now – if you know where to look!

Luckily, you don’t need to, because I’ve done all the virtual leg work for you and rounded up the 80+ best plus size summer dresses for 2026. Click through the slideshows below for some of my personally selected picks – and if you see a price that is out of budget, definitely click through to see if that is the final price, because many brands have additional sales on site!

A few tried and true personal recommendations:

This might be the best shirt dress silhouette I’ve ever tried! The black linen is immensely chic and breathable, and perfect for a transition to fall vibes even when the temps are still hot.

This printed linen dress feels like the spiritual successor to Mara Hoffman’s gorgeous geometric prints (RIP to that brand – I miss it so much!), and the stretch linen is perfect for accommodating fuller busts. I got this one in my usual US size (M 18/20), and it fits perfectly. If you prefer a different silhouette, this same print also comes in a linen shirtdress and the cutest pair of linen overalls. Plus, it is part of a MAJOR sale happening right now (and ending tomorrow, so don’t dilly dally too much if you want to shop this one!)

I love Rachel Antonoff SO much, and this flowy babydoll style of dress is just the thing for days when I am feeling a little bloated but still want to feel cute. The allium print is just beyond too – I need to see one of my chef friends in this one ASAP! P.S. I have a reader code CURVILY15 for orders on their site!

This polka dot maxi from Ashley Graham’s line is even better than I expected, with the type of thoughtful print placement and style details that you don’t usually get at this price point. The fit is true to size, and the high slit gives it a little va-va-voom. I got so many compliments the first time I wore this!

This is another fave from the same collection, and one that was clearly made with plus size bodies in mind! The ruching at the lower torso is perfect for highlighting the waist without clinging to the belly, and the keyhole neckline detail and animal print vamps it up. It is also super comfortable!

This dress has a really sweet print that evokes a perfect day in an Italian seaside town, and it is now on sale for $25!

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Another fave on sale is this cool twist on an animal print maxi, marked down to $14.99 right now (the lowest I’ve seen it by a long shot!)

This cool crochet dress from the excellent PatBO x Eloquii collab is marked way down now, but is the perfect beach party to fall transition piece (this would look SO good with some boots and a cool printed headscarf).