Colorful Summer Dresses Under $250.

I’m a color girl at heart. I love a bold pattern and a joyful print; it’s the Magpie in me, drawn to high-contrast and glitter. Above, I’m wearing this $148 Ivy City Co dress — I went down a size to an XXS in it and it’s perfect. I wore it just after returning from Bermuda and enduring the post-vacation blahs; it put a little pep in my step.

Meanwhile, the latest Hill House launch is fabulous for us color-seekers; I love the contrasting ribbon ties on the Charlotte Nap Dress, spotlit below. Sadly, this longer style sold out in record time, but I also adored that print; it has a kind of Etro or Missoni flair to it. I did manage to get this gorgeous skirt and the matching top! Not technically a dress, but the patterns — !!

I’ll have to see if I like the top with it. I love a matching set but I don’t love an exposed midriff, so I will have to see where the shirt hem falls. The skirt will be adorable with a white tank or tee, though, so I’ll keep that regardless! (Another great spot for fabulous patterned sets: Julia Amory. I wore this skirt and top set in Bermuda, almost sold out now. This more full-stocked set is equally chic.)

Anyway — onward, into a roundup of a fabulous $250-or-less colorful dresses —

LEFT TO RIGHT:CATANIA CRINKLE DRESS // THE RIBBON CHARLOTTE NAP DRESS // FLARED MIDI DRESS

LEFT TO RIGHT: V NECK MIDI DRESS // THE MARGOT DRESS // SMOCKED MAXI DRESS

Styling Colorful Dresses for Summer.

CATANIA CRINKLE DRESS // CASHMERE SILK SCARF // THE CAPE TOTE // KEENE SANDAL // SEDONA SUNGLASSES // GISELLE HUGGIES

V NECK MIDI DRESS // ALBA BALLET FLATS // BASKET CLUTCH // PILLOW OVAL SUNGLASSES // ORGANIC HOOPS // NURA REEF BANGLE // HYDRA BARRIER GEL GLOSS

THE MARGOT DRESS // THE MAEVE HEADBAND // ROSIE LARGE TOTE // VICKY ROSETTE SANDAL // WYNNE EARRING // DREAM LOVER SUNGLASSES

FLARED MIDI DRESS // SILK SCARF // SHELL EARRING // PORTIA BANGLE // OUTTA LOVE SUNGLASSES // SAWYER FLAT SANDALS // JUSTINE BASKET BAG

THE RIBBON CHARLOTTE NAP DRESS // POOLSIDE BAGS // BIG EFFING CLIP // CROWN EARRINGS // JACKIE SUNGLASSES // LEATHER SLIDES (LOOK FOR LESS HERE)

P.S. Styling gingham pants.

P.P.S. Bandana print microtrend.

P.P.P.S. Minimalist summer wardrobe.

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