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13 Breezy Full-Coverage Dresses That Won’t Make You Sweat

Reviewer-loved easy, breezy frocks that cover areas like your arms, legs and chest.

13 Breezy Full-Coverage Dresses That Won’t Make You Sweat
An oversized cotton button-down, a smocked shirt dress and an organic cotton tunic dress.

Fuller-coverage dresses, even in warm weather, can be great whether you’re looking for increased sun protection or just prefer to keep your body covered. And if research has taught us one thing, it’s that “modest” doesn’t have to mean restrictive tailoring or suffocating fabrics.

With the help of reviews, we built a selection of dresses that, while still full-coverage, feature breezy sleeves, sumptuously breathable materials and billowing skirts to help wearers feel cool and comfortable in every way.

HuffPost and its publishing partners may receive a commission from some purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently curated by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.

1.
Amazon

A cotton button-down maxi dress

Made with 100% cotton, this perfectly slouchy and oversized button-down features a turn-down lapel collar, two hidden side pockets and batwing sleeves that are perfect for rolling up to your desired length. You can find this in four pinstriped colors like coral and cornflower blue, and in sizes S-3XL.

Promising Amazon reviews: "Happy this maxi shirt blue & white striped dress is 100% cotton -- a breathable fabric rather than polyester. The length is perfect for me at ankle’s length. (I am 5’5). The two side pockets are very deep which is a big plus. I have not yet washed it so I hope it does not shrink in length. I liked it so much I ordered a back up dress in case of food spillage & it stains. I wore it with a neutral color vest for contrast and liked the combination look. If there was a purple & white striped dress color In the future, I would purchase it." — BJ

"This was perfect and just what I was looking for. I wore it with a fedora and some gladiator sandals and it was comfy and cute!! I’m short so it was long on me and I sent it off to get hemmed a few inches. I highly recommend this dress. It’s not see through, runs oversized and breathable material." — Monica Norris
2.
Anthropologie

A smocked Somerset shirt dress

The Somerset maxi from Anthropologie is apparently one of the company's best-sellers for its versatile design and ability to look good on every body type. Available in three colors and sizes XXS-3X (including petite options), it features oversized elbow-length sleeves, an A-line tiered skirt and a flattering smock waist.

Promising Anthropologie reviews: "This dress is very light and airy. I got the PXXS Im 115 and it fits good. It could be an inch shorter to be perfect, I’m debating whether to have the length altered, but overall I highly recommend." — Gurlll

"The Shirt Dress is a versatile wardrobe staple that effortlessly combines comfort and style. The soft, breathable fabric feels luxurious against my skin and drapes beautifully. I love the synching around the waist to create a feminine silhouette. I’m a huge fan of the Somerset dresses!" — TwinsAndOne
3.
Target

An adjustable cinching maxi shirt dress

Wear this collared shirt dress cinched at the waist for a figure-hugging silhouette, or wear it completely loose using the adjustable tie waistband. Made from a breathable voile cotton fabric, the pocketed and machine-washable dress comes in five colors and patterns and in sizes XS-4X, though most reviewers suggest sizing down.

Promising Target reviews: "This is my new favorite dress! Soft, lightweight, flowy, and super comfortable. Perfect with flat sandals for a casual look, but can be dressed up with wedges/heels for a more polished outfit. Cinch ties at the waist make it easy to adjust the fit. Usually wear a size 10 (5'4"; 145 lbs) -- the medium is an absolutely perfect fit." — allison

"I love this dress! It is very flowy and the fabric lightweight. The double slits on the side adds a little sexiness." — Momof2boys
4.
Eloquii

An eyelet maxi dress

Available in tangerine or soft white and in sizes 14-28, this maxi is made from a floral woven eyelet fabric and is finished off with a sweetheart neckline and bow detailing. There's less coverage along the chest and back, but the puff elasticized sleeves reach to the elbows and the full-length skirt reaches a modest ankle length.

Promising Eloquii review: "I have never gotten so many compliments on a dress. It fit so well made me feel cute but also a little sexy. The pattern is adorable and the fabric is very nice. I want to start with all the pros. This dress was airy and flowy. I have personal insecurities with my arms and this covered them with feeling tight and constricting. You can wear off the shoulder or not. The tie bust is amazing. I love that I can adjust it bc I'm a pear and my chest is average. It did make the girls look phenomenal. I carry alot of weight in my stomach and this wasn't tight against me. Cons (there isn't many) I sized down based off reviews. I'm normally a 26/28 I went with 24 and it fits wonderful. I have to be careful putting it on because the empire line isn't elastic so there isn't any give. So I'd say size wise go with what your bust is not your pant size. It is pretty long. I'm 5'5 and this sits right at the top of my fit. I wore sandals and when I walked I could feel the dress on my heels. If you're shorter then you'd need to hem it. I may just so it won't get dirty. That's all. I love this dress. I'm gonna get it in every color. I was stopped 3x to tell me that it's beautiful and how amazing it looked on me. Boosted my ego so much." — April M.
5.
J.Crew

A linen pull-over dress

J.Crew's Bungalow maxi popover can be worn as a beach cover-up, cinched with a belt or on its own. It's made from a 100% lightweight linen and features two short, breezy side slits near the hem. Available in seven colors and patterns like this dip-dye fabric and an embroidered design, you can find this in sizes XXS-3X, though the retailer suggests that the fit runs slightly big.

Promising J.Crew reviews: "This dress is a great summer piece. I wore a belt with it to give it some shape. It’s lightweight and flattering." — HVT03

"At first I thought this dress would be heavy and overwhelming on me, I'm 5’3” 128, but It fits great in an XS. It will be perfect as a beach cover up but I will be wearing it to dinner at the club as well this summer. It’s a nice light linen. It doesn’t wrinkle like some other linens do. Buy it in every color!" — Jgpop
6.
J.Crew

A cotton poplin shirt dress

Another popular J.Crew design, the Elena shirt dress is a fuller-coverage option made from an elegant and crisp poplin cotton. It features two seam pockets and an elastic smock waist, and comes in five colors and patterns, like this vibrant floral print, baby blue pinstripes and olive green. Find it in sizes 00-24 in most colors.

Promising J.Crew review: "Having this dress is a staple to add to your wardrobe. At 5’4 this dress comes ankle length to me and can be worn with flats or heels. The fabric is light and the dress in unlined so can be worn in higher temperatures comfortably. Fits true to size and depending on your bust size you may be able to size down one size because of the stretch at the waist of the dress and circle skirt style. The color is vibrant and an interesting watercolor design that turns heads (I wore strolling the streets of Charleston and received several compliments on this dress) definitely recommend even in the other colors for the fit and style." — sharpandsound
7.
Etsy/TailorDidiStudio

An organic cotton tunic dress

This kaftan-style tunic dress is handmade by a small business in India using 100% organic cotton for a soft and light feel. It has a tiered full-length skirt and a detailed pleated bodice, along with two hidden seam pockets and airy balloon sleeves. You can get it custom-made in sizes XS-4XL and tons of color options, from burnt toffee to bay leaf green to soft petal pink.

Promising Etsy review: "The dresses are perfect. I ordered one in blue and one in pink. They're loose but they don't look loose, they have a flattering fit. The pockets and wonderful and the material is high quality and airy, perfect for hot weather. Very responsive seller too! Thank you! I'm about to order one for my sister too." — T Ahmad
8.
Free People

A drop-waist all-season knit dress

Don't let the knit fabric fool you: Reviewers claim this all-season dress is lightweight, soft and supremely cooling. It features a flattering drop waist, a generous mid-length hem line and a tasteful scoop neck — plus functional side pockets. Shop this in six colors and in sizes XS-XL.

Promising Free People reviews: "IT HAS POCKETS and it’s a lightweight queen. The top part is made with a nice thick material that has lots of stretch while the bottom is a lightweight cotton. I wore this dress on a recent travel trip and went straight from the plane to a restaurant! Highly recommend multiple colors!" — Free People reviewer

"This is the second of this dress I’ve purchased. I love the versatility. I’ve worn it with ballet flats and also kitten heels. I would recommend this dress. It’s cool when it’s warm outside. FP has added other colors. I love Free People. I’ve never once been disappointed. Very well made. Thank you!!" — EmilyCaite
9.
Etsy/OffOn

A fun oversized seersucker dress

This adorably boxy and oversized empire-waist dress is handmade in Lithuania and is an Etsy top-seller. Made from a seersucker fabric, the dress has side-seam pockets and comes in flexible sizes XXS-XXL, and the seller has a few other color and print options.

Promising Etsy review: "So high-quality, breezy, and unique. I am going to live in this dress this summer." — Krista Mitchell

"This one has a nice airy fabric, I can’t wait to live in this this summer and throw a sweater over it during winter." — Robbie Alternative
10.
Amazon

A tiered dress with flowy sleeves

This effortless maxi dress with flowy flutter sleeves, an elasticized waist and a tiered skirt is an Amazon exclusive. It's machine-washable and available in nearly 20 floral patterns and colors, in sizes S-XL.

Promising Amazon review: "Loose, but still flattering. Vibrant colors, lightweight, breathable fabric. Sleeves are long enough to cover and flatter those who prefer more modesty around their upper arm area. Drawstring at middle is just for show, does not tighten or loosen. Perfect length for my 5’5 frame. Just ordered another one in a different print. Love!" — Bailey M.
11.
Amazon

A stretchy T-shirt-style dress with pockets

This full-length dress is made with a soft and stretchy jersey-like material for a T-shirt-like feel. Just below the elastic waist are two discreet side pockets, and the dress can be purchased in sizes XS-5X, in more than 15 colors and in a very similar long-sleeved version for anyone looking for more coverage.

Promising Amazon reviews: "This dress is perfect for staying cool on those hot summer days. Also great for traveling as it packs well and dues not wrinkle. Comfortable and stylish -- a perfect combination. I may just order another!" — Frustrated

"This is my new favorite dress! It is modest, incredibly comfortable, and flattering. It is breathable for the hottest days or can be paired with a cardigan on chilly spring days. I love that it is versatile for occasions -- just a day at home, going to the park, church, date night with my husband. I will be ordering multiple other colors!" — Micah
12.
Free People

An embroidered smock dress

This smock dress is detailed with three-dimensional embroidered flowers, a stretch-fit bodice and perfectly billowed sleeves that can be worn off-the-shoulder or on for more coverage. It's made with a delightfully gauzy cotton fabric and comes in 18 color combinations like summer peach, coastal blue and bubblegum pink. Find it in sizes XS-XL in most colors.

Promising Free People review: "Love how this dress feels on! It's a lightweight cotton that's soft and thick enough to not be totally see through, whilst still feeling flowy and airy! It's stretchy so it will deffo fit you in a size up and down, I'm 200lbs and wore XL, deffo a little more give in it and I could comfortably lose/gain 10lbs and it would still fit perfectly!" — Free People reviewer
13.
Anthropologie

A linen maxi shirt dress

The Maeve linen button-down has a belted waist and three functional pockets, and requires only low-maintenance upkeep. You can shop it in three different colored prints and in sizes XXS-3X, including petite sizing in most color options.

Promising Anthropologie reviews: "This dress is so beautiful and fits like a dream. It’s fully lined but still airy enough for warm summer weather. I was nervous that the puff sleeves were going to be too oversized and dramatic, but they are lovely. This dress makes me feel like I should be enjoying a classy summer in the Hampton. Love it!" — BVirginia

"Breezy and beautiful. I am obsessed with this dress!! I bought every color available. It’s cool, casual, can be dressed up and so flattering. I was able to order a size smaller than usual, and that’s rare. I’ve gotten a ton of compliments every time I’ve worn it!!" — KimC