I Found the Perfect Cooling Summer Dress, and It's $18 at Old Navy

A couple of summers ago, I bought the softest shirred cotton dress that I had to stop myself from wearing every day. It was thick and textured but also incredibly light and breathable. The weave reminded me of a temperature-regulating muslin blanket, a dreamy fabric that felt cozy to the touch without making me overheat. This year, I’ve committed to finding a similar option to throw into the rotation. Since my go-to uniform for the last couple of summers has been was a white midi dress, I wanted something short and colorful to mix it up. I’m happy to report that I’ve found a new summer dress that checks all of my boxes: Old Navy’s Waist-Defined Puff-Sleeve Printed Mini Shirt Dress ($18, originally $40).

What I Love About Old Navy’s Waist-Defined Puff-Sleeve Printed Mini Shirt Dress

Just like the first dress I fell in love with, this Old Navy dress feels like I’m wearing a soft, light-weave blanket. It has a loose fit, elbow-length puff sleeves, and a banded collar and pockets, so it’s comfortable and easy to throw on. Since it’s made from crinkled cotton fabric and is naturally textured, there’s no reason to worry about it wrinkling. I can throw it in a beach bag as a swimsuit cover up or pack it in a suitcase to wear on vacation – no steamer necessary! The sky blue stripes are a nice change of pace from an all-white dress, which requires more vigilance with food stains and dirt.

What’s Worth Noting About Old Navy’s Waist-Defined Puff-Sleeve Printed Mini Shirt Dress

I go back and forth between a size small and medium with Old Navy dresses. I bought this black Old Navy shirt dress in a size medium but grabbed this striped dress in a size small. It has a slightly oversized fit, so even the small hangs loosely on my body. Other reviewers on Old Navy’s site also recommend sizing down to get the perfect fit. To keep the shape and integrity of the fabric, make sure you wash it in cold water on a gentle cycle and hang it to dry.

Who Is Old Navy’s Waist-Defined Puff-Sleeve Printed Mini Shirt Dress Best For?

This dress is best for someone who appreciates the volume of a long, dramatic puff sleeve. Some of the reviewers who rated it with fewer stars mentioned that they disliked how puffy the sleeves are, which is actually one of my favorite features of the dress. It’s also a great option for someone who wants a casual, lightweight and loose-fitting dress that they can wear on a hot day. You can throw it on with sneakers for running errands or flip-flops to head to the pool.