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Girl, That's a Cute Dress: 15 Stores for Sundresses, Caftans, Shifts, and More

By Laura Gurfein
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By Laura Gurfein

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Have you walked outside today? Then you know it's time to retire pants until September. The summer solstice is officially past us, so now we're looking to keep our clothing options as lightweight and hassle-free as possible—the less fabric that's touching skin, the better. To help you build out this wardrobe, we've rounded up Manhattan and Brooklyn's 15 best spots to buy summer dresses, whether you prefer flirty fit-and-flare styles from wallet-friendly hot spots or oversized-tee looks from high-end contemporary labels.

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Reformation

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The Los Angeles-based brand's signature dress style—deep v-necks, high slits, nipped waists, and flowing fabrics—make Reformation a no-brainer for hot months. And even though most dresses are at least a couple hundred bucks, their timeless cuts and patterns make them repeatable for seasons on ends. [Photo: Brian Harkin]
156 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002
(646) 448-4925
(646) 448-4925

COS

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Want summer minimalism at its best? Look no further than Spring Street, where a COS tee-shirt dress that clocks in at just over $100 (unless it's on sale) will navigate you through steamy subway commutes and rooftop happy hours alike. [Photo]
129 Spring St, New York, NY 10012
(212) 389-1247
(212) 389-1247

Topshop

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No other store on this list has the variety you’ll find at the Brit fast-fashion chain, which ranges from trendy shorteralls, 70s denim dresses, beach-ready maxis, shapeless shirt dresses, boudoir-esque slips, and more. Plus, prices generally only exceed two digits on special occasion dresses or in Topshop’s Boutique collection. [Photo: Topshop]
608 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10020
(212) 757-8240
(212) 757-8240

& Other Stories

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COS and H&M's sister brand works for pretty much every clothing category—shoes, swimwear, jewelry—and summer dresses are no exception. Lots of their seasonal patterns are available in multiple styles, with mini-dresses often coming in at under $100. [Photo]
575 Broadway, New York, NY 10012
(646) 767-3063
(646) 767-3063

Cloak & Dagger

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The pink neon sign here that says “cute shit” tells you all you need to know: Cutesy, 60s-style dresses are the name of the game at this East Village boutique, which carries vintage dresses from the actual 1960s as well. Also included among the pineapple-papered walls? Schoolgirl dresses from L’Ecole des Femmes and Lauren Moffat frocks. [Photo: Driely S.]
441 East 9th St, East Village, NY 10009
(212) 673-0500
(212) 673-0500

American Two Shot

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If you're trying to get in on the ground floor with an up-and-coming indie label, stop by this Grand Street boutique to find unique dress options from Nomia, Nanushka, Dusen Dusen, and more. The price range is, well, up there compared to some other places mapped out here. [Photo: Driely S.]
135 Grand St, New York, NY 10013
(212) 925-3403
(212) 925-3403

La Garçonne

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The first real-life version of Kris Kim's successful e-commerce business contains plenty of her favorite dress form: Smocks. But shoppers can find structured and non-structured pieces alike from the likes of Isabel Marant, Maison Kitsuné, Rachel Comey, and Apiece Apart co-mingling on the racks. [Photo: La Garçonne]
465 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013
(646) 553-3303
(646) 553-3303

SWORDS-SMITH

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Those looking to take the title of “coolest girl in the office” can count on this South Williamsburg boutique, where a husband-and-wife team keep a mix of under-the-radar, international designers like Finnish brand Samuji, German-based Vladimir Karaleev, and the Macedonian Risto. As one can deduce, prices are steep—most dresses are in the $300 to $500 range. [Photo: Driely S.]
98 S 4th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
(347) 599-2969
(347) 599-2969

Concrete + Water

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This Williamsburg boutique bills itself as a “gateway to fashion,” so it’s no surprise that Concrete + Water’s dress selection toes the line between sweet and daring. A recent run-through of the shop turned up bleach-splattered denim shirtdresses, inky floor-length styles with waist-high cut-outs, and laser-cut neoprene shifts that could take any drink spill. The stock is pretty evenly split between local designers (Samantha Pleet, Sea) and under-the-radar Euro labels (Ganni, Nanushka), with a few West Coast and Aussie brands thrown into the mix. [Photo: Driely S.]
485 Driggs Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211
(917) 909-1828
(917) 909-1828

O.N.A

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Magdalena Jaworska fills her Prospect Heights boutique with on-trend merchandise from local designers like Ilana Kohn, and Samantha Pleet, along with a mix of affordable labels like BB Dakota. Be sure to stop in for Pizza, too—the store dog, not the food. [Photo: Driely S.]
593A Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
(718) 783-0630
(718) 783-0630

Carven

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Carven is French-girl dressing at its most fun. Meaning, you might not find any Breton striped dresses in the brand’s Mercer Street shop, but you will come across off-the-shoulder satin fit-and-flares, watercolor-print shifts, and drop-waist designs in super-saturated shades. Try to hit up Carven during its twice-yearly sales if you have a lot of fancy weddings on your agenda. [Photo: Tiffany Yannetta]
83 Mercer St, New York, NY 10012
(646) 684-4368
(646) 684-4368

Trademark

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If “does not touch any part of my body” is the main quality you look for in a summer dress, then Trademark has you covered. Pookie and Louisa Burch (daughters of Chris Burch and former step-daughters of Tory Burch) brought their debut label to Soho last summer, and the Grand Street shop is full of minimalist trapeze dresses, sharp updates on the caftan, and knee-length sheaths in unexpected hues. [Photo: Trademark]
95 Grand St, New York, NY 10013
(646) 559-4945
(646) 559-4945

Electric Nest

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Electric Nest—the South Williamsburg shop that houses designer Leana Zuniga’s label, Electric Feathers—attracts a lot of dancers. Which isn’t surprising, since the pieces are designed to move. Zuniga is all about customization, and many of her breezy silk trapeze dresses, metallic halter maxis, and sunset-hued caftans can be draped, wrapped, and belted endless ways. [Photo: Driely S.]
60 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11249
(347) 227-7023
(347) 227-7023

Babel Fair

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Owner Erica Kiang specializes in finding international labels that typically don't have a stateside presence, and the pieces are often more budget-friendly than what you'd find elsewhere on Elizabeth Street. Summer dresses you'll find here range in occasion from block-party BBQ to casual wedding. [Photo: Driely S.]
260 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012
(646) 360-3685
(646) 360-3685

Zara

Copy Link
Take advantage of their major summer sale to stock up on cute dresses that run the gamut in length, material, color, occasion, and more. Fifth Avenue is your best bet for the biggest selection, as it's the city's biggest store—for now. [Photo: Brian Harkin]
666 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10022
(212) 371-2555
(212) 371-2555
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Reformation

156 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002
The Los Angeles-based brand's signature dress style—deep v-necks, high slits, nipped waists, and flowing fabrics—make Reformation a no-brainer for hot months. And even though most dresses are at least a couple hundred bucks, their timeless cuts and patterns make them repeatable for seasons on ends. [Photo: Brian Harkin]
156 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002
(646) 448-4925
(646) 448-4925

COS

129 Spring St, New York, NY 10012
Want summer minimalism at its best? Look no further than Spring Street, where a COS tee-shirt dress that clocks in at just over $100 (unless it's on sale) will navigate you through steamy subway commutes and rooftop happy hours alike. [Photo]
129 Spring St, New York, NY 10012
(212) 389-1247
(212) 389-1247

Topshop

608 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10020
No other store on this list has the variety you’ll find at the Brit fast-fashion chain, which ranges from trendy shorteralls, 70s denim dresses, beach-ready maxis, shapeless shirt dresses, boudoir-esque slips, and more. Plus, prices generally only exceed two digits on special occasion dresses or in Topshop’s Boutique collection. [Photo: Topshop]
608 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10020
(212) 757-8240
(212) 757-8240

& Other Stories

575 Broadway, New York, NY 10012
COS and H&M's sister brand works for pretty much every clothing category—shoes, swimwear, jewelry—and summer dresses are no exception. Lots of their seasonal patterns are available in multiple styles, with mini-dresses often coming in at under $100. [Photo]
575 Broadway, New York, NY 10012
(646) 767-3063
(646) 767-3063

Cloak & Dagger

441 East 9th St, East Village, NY 10009
The pink neon sign here that says “cute shit” tells you all you need to know: Cutesy, 60s-style dresses are the name of the game at this East Village boutique, which carries vintage dresses from the actual 1960s as well. Also included among the pineapple-papered walls? Schoolgirl dresses from L’Ecole des Femmes and Lauren Moffat frocks. [Photo: Driely S.]
441 East 9th St, East Village, NY 10009
(212) 673-0500
(212) 673-0500

American Two Shot

135 Grand St, New York, NY 10013
If you're trying to get in on the ground floor with an up-and-coming indie label, stop by this Grand Street boutique to find unique dress options from Nomia, Nanushka, Dusen Dusen, and more. The price range is, well, up there compared to some other places mapped out here. [Photo: Driely S.]
135 Grand St, New York, NY 10013
(212) 925-3403
(212) 925-3403

La Garçonne

465 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013
The first real-life version of Kris Kim's successful e-commerce business contains plenty of her favorite dress form: Smocks. But shoppers can find structured and non-structured pieces alike from the likes of Isabel Marant, Maison Kitsuné, Rachel Comey, and Apiece Apart co-mingling on the racks. [Photo: La Garçonne]
465 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013
(646) 553-3303
(646) 553-3303

SWORDS-SMITH

98 S 4th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Those looking to take the title of “coolest girl in the office” can count on this South Williamsburg boutique, where a husband-and-wife team keep a mix of under-the-radar, international designers like Finnish brand Samuji, German-based Vladimir Karaleev, and the Macedonian Risto. As one can deduce, prices are steep—most dresses are in the $300 to $500 range. [Photo: Driely S.]
98 S 4th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
(347) 599-2969
(347) 599-2969

Concrete + Water

485 Driggs Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211
This Williamsburg boutique bills itself as a “gateway to fashion,” so it’s no surprise that Concrete + Water’s dress selection toes the line between sweet and daring. A recent run-through of the shop turned up bleach-splattered denim shirtdresses, inky floor-length styles with waist-high cut-outs, and laser-cut neoprene shifts that could take any drink spill. The stock is pretty evenly split between local designers (Samantha Pleet, Sea) and under-the-radar Euro labels (Ganni, Nanushka), with a few West Coast and Aussie brands thrown into the mix. [Photo: Driely S.]
485 Driggs Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211
(917) 909-1828
(917) 909-1828

O.N.A

593A Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
Magdalena Jaworska fills her Prospect Heights boutique with on-trend merchandise from local designers like Ilana Kohn, and Samantha Pleet, along with a mix of affordable labels like BB Dakota. Be sure to stop in for Pizza, too—the store dog, not the food. [Photo: Driely S.]
593A Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
(718) 783-0630
(718) 783-0630

Carven

83 Mercer St, New York, NY 10012
Carven is French-girl dressing at its most fun. Meaning, you might not find any Breton striped dresses in the brand’s Mercer Street shop, but you will come across off-the-shoulder satin fit-and-flares, watercolor-print shifts, and drop-waist designs in super-saturated shades. Try to hit up Carven during its twice-yearly sales if you have a lot of fancy weddings on your agenda. [Photo: Tiffany Yannetta]
83 Mercer St, New York, NY 10012
(646) 684-4368
(646) 684-4368

Trademark

95 Grand St, New York, NY 10013
If “does not touch any part of my body” is the main quality you look for in a summer dress, then Trademark has you covered. Pookie and Louisa Burch (daughters of Chris Burch and former step-daughters of Tory Burch) brought their debut label to Soho last summer, and the Grand Street shop is full of minimalist trapeze dresses, sharp updates on the caftan, and knee-length sheaths in unexpected hues. [Photo: Trademark]
95 Grand St, New York, NY 10013
(646) 559-4945
(646) 559-4945

Electric Nest

60 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Electric Nest—the South Williamsburg shop that houses designer Leana Zuniga’s label, Electric Feathers—attracts a lot of dancers. Which isn’t surprising, since the pieces are designed to move. Zuniga is all about customization, and many of her breezy silk trapeze dresses, metallic halter maxis, and sunset-hued caftans can be draped, wrapped, and belted endless ways. [Photo: Driely S.]
60 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11249
(347) 227-7023
(347) 227-7023

Babel Fair

260 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012
Owner Erica Kiang specializes in finding international labels that typically don't have a stateside presence, and the pieces are often more budget-friendly than what you'd find elsewhere on Elizabeth Street. Summer dresses you'll find here range in occasion from block-party BBQ to casual wedding. [Photo: Driely S.]
260 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012
(646) 360-3685
(646) 360-3685

Zara

666 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10022
Take advantage of their major summer sale to stock up on cute dresses that run the gamut in length, material, color, occasion, and more. Fifth Avenue is your best bet for the biggest selection, as it's the city's biggest store—for now. [Photo: Brian Harkin]
666 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10022
(212) 371-2555
(212) 371-2555