Confidence-instilling, ultra-flattering, super-comfortable and timelessly chic: dresses are officially the unicorns of the fashion world. Once you find one you feel good in and can wear pretty much anywhere, you know it’s something you’ll never want to part with .The key to finding a forever dress is to stick to classic prints, shapes and colors, and – most importantly – to choose a style that you feel incredible in.

With weddings and special events starting to happen again this summer, and also just because it feels good to get dressed up after a year of staying home, I thought I'd share some chic dresses that would work for daytime events and evening as well. I still love wearing my summer separates, but the simplicity and ease of just slipping on a dress is hard to beat. And in the PNW we’ve started out summer with soaring temperatures in the triple digits! So my go-to uniform of late is loose, easy and breezy. Something that feels airy and light.

I really love this dress, although it is almost sold out. It would work for a daytime event as it’s styled in the photo, as well as dressed up with some nude heels for an evening event. And this dress from Madewell is perfect for warm summer days styled with strappy flats or espadrilles. I love the style of this dress, especially the sleeves, it’s very feminine and eyelet is the quintessential summer fabric. And here is a similar option in black. I saw this dress at Mango,( below ) while shopping online for a client and bought it on the spot. Maybe because it’s 86 degrees at 10 AM this morning and it looks very cool, but it’s also a dress I can wear in multiple ways, plus it’s on sale!

If you love prints, or even if you are considering venturing into one for the first time - since they’re everywhere - you might like this dress from Likely, or this polka dot sundress from Phillip Lim. I’ve always loved polka dots, and with the black and white you can add a splash of color with some red sandals or a pink or yellow ( or whatever color you love) short cardigan. And of course the ever useful denim jacket to dress it down for a cooler day or evening. And who doesn’t love gingham? Especially this puff sleeve style from Mango.

Stay cool and enjoy these long summer days. I know I will be!