I've Been Wearing This Summer Staple for 10-Plus Years—8 Fresh Ways to Style It

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(Image credit: @helenacuesta)

One thing about me: I'm a sucker for a good sundress. It could be adorned with puffy sleeves, smocked, embroidered, mini length, ankle grazing, simple, or brightly printed. For as many summers as I can remember, I've had a never-ending rotation of sundresses in my closet. Of course, the types of sundresses I've worn have varied as I've explored different aesthetics and lived in different parts of the country, from L.A. to NYC. But no matter what my summer wardrobe looks like, it will always have a few key staples, including the perennial sundress, sandals, swimsuits, and sunglasses.

As I look to build out my summer wardrobe this year, I'm craving some fresh styling inspiration. Naturally, my first instinct was to look to my fashion friends on Instagram who always offer a wealth of outfit ideas, and today is no different. Ahead, I'm highlighting the eight sundress outfits I've screenshotted to re-create myself because of how fresh they make the timeless dress style look. Keep scrolling for the unconventional-but-cool ways I plan to wear mine this season.

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(Image credit: @champagnemani)

Dresses and sneakers are a fashion-person favorite, especially in the summer when a breezy dress and comfortable shoes are a must. For summer 2022, they'll be combining retro kicks with cottagecore-style dresses for a cool contrast of delicate and sporty.

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(Image credit: @laurenelson)

Sundresses are flouncy, feminine, and flirty by nature, so styling one with socks and loafers lends an academic feel that's really fresh. Up the school-uniform vibe when you add a headband and blazer.

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(Image credit: @helenacuesta)

We talk a lot about matching sets for spring and summer but have yet to consider matching our scarves to our sundresses—until now. This look alone has me beelining to Amazon to order bandanas in the same colors as all the dresses in my closet.

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(Image credit: @raeannlangas)

Fans of Western style are no strangers to pairing their cowboy boots with sundresses, but for anyone who's not as familiar with the combo, it's undeniably fresh.

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(Image credit: @nonicyngor)

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(Image credit: @monikh)

Another unexpected shoe choice that just somehow works? Clogs. The shoes ground an airy cotton sundress so perfectly and have me dreaming about spending the summer in a cottage in Sweden.

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(Image credit: @luciacuesta_)

My first instinct wouldn't be to throw a blazer over my dress, but that's why this works so well. It's casual but polished.

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(Image credit: @smythsisters)

Even classics like little black dresses are updated with cool midriff cutouts that bring the piece into the present day.

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Coming up: I Live in Basics: Here's What I'm Keeping, Swapping, and Putting Away for Summer

Senior Editor

Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.