Summer 2020 officially kicked off this weekend! Nothing says summer quite like backyard barbecues. Like many of you, I enjoy dressing up, especially since most of us have been living in loungewear for the last three months! I don’t have anything against loungewear, I live for my joggers and Nike running shorts on the daily, but I love wearing cute dresses when out with family or close friends, especially during the extremely warm summer months.
Nothing beats the heat in my opinion quite like a lightweight summer dress! If you’re looking for a great dress that you can wear to a friend’s barbecue while social distancing, to your parents for the 4th of July or one you can wear for a barbecue in your own backyard, you’re in luck! Today, I’m excited to share 20 cute dresses for the 2020 summer barbecue season. Not only are these dresses perfect for a barbecue, but you can wear them to the store, to run errands, the neighborhood fruit stand, a small wedding, and more!
Without further ado, here are 20 cute dresses for summer backyard barbecue season! I also shared tips on how you can dress them up or down with shoes, jewelry, and accessories. Stay safe and healthy, friends! Xoxoxo
Casual Solid Color Dresses You’ll Wear Throughout The Year
I can’t get enough of this sleeveless tie front dress. Like many of you, tie front dresses have long been a favorite and this one is perfect for a casual afternoon or date night! You can dress it up with gorgeous earrings, and trendy heeled sandals!

I love prints, but 90% of my closet is filled with solid color dresses, tops and sweaters! The thing I love the most about them is you can accessorize them easily and effortlessly. This cute Capri Ruffle Sleeve Dress with tie waist detailing is the perfect dress for spring, summer and fall too. You can pair it with slide sandals, wedges, sneakers and ankle booties. It’ll look great with your favorite summer straw hat as well!

Z Supply is one of my favorite brands for casual affordable clothing (with free shipping)! I own a few of their sweatshirts, t-shirts and joggers. I currently have this grey split neck dress on my wish list! It’ll look cute on its own or under your favorite summer sweater. It’s the perfect dress for the 4th!

If you love the puff sleeve trend as much as I do, you’ll simply adore this Violet mini dress! It is perfect for summer backyard barbecues or dinner at your favorite restaurant.

Must Have Floral Print Dresses For Summer Barbecues
As a flower farmer and floral lover, I can’t get enough of gorgeous floral print dresses! This navy blue Reformation mini dress is beyond fabulous. It can be worn to a summer barbecue with your favorite sandals. You can also wear it on a date with strappy heels or wedges! There are so many options.

It’s no secret, puff sleeves are definitely having a moment! Puff sleeve dresses gained popularity last year and are still going strong. This trendy light blue floral print dress with trendy smocking is perfect for a barbecue or for walking your pup around the block!

While online shopping this morning I stumbled on this new floral print tiered dress and I can’t get enough of it! This is one you can dress up or down depending on the occasion! You can pair it with a straw tote for a casual barbecue or a clutch for date night!

If you’re searching for a trendy and super affordable dress with dainty floral print, you’re in luck! This lovely mint green floral print ruffle minidress with a ruched bodice is an absolute must and only $35! It’s perfect for backyard barbecues, brunch with your family or the Derby in September!

If you love the dress I featured above but searching for a different color combo, you’ll adore this cinch dress in blush with blue flowers!

I stumbled on this white pink and yellow floral print wrap dress last night while online shopping and can’t believe how fast it’s selling! This beauty is only available in a few sizes, but I am hopefully it’ll be restocked in ALL sizes soon. I can’t get enough of this trendy, budget-friendly brand, especially this dress with a ruffled hem. It is perfect for summer!

Cute Short Print Dresses In A Variety Of Styles
I’ve shared my love for Rails brand clothing time and time again over the years because the material feels luxurious and everything is so well made! I love their summer 2020 dress collection. This strapless blue button-down Helena dress is perfect for warm summer days and fall too! You can wear it on its own this summer, and it’ll look great with a cardigan or denim jacket come fall. PS: Scarlett Johansson was just spotted in this dress at the farmers market!

Nothing says summer barbecue season quite like a trendy coastal inspired Lilly Pulitzer dress! This fab and blue dress is perfect for barbecue and summer vacation season.

Like many of you, I love rich jewel tones like the color turquoise and tend to wear this flattering shade throughout the year! This fabulous budget-friendly Forever Yours print minidress with a flared skirt and flutter sleeves is perfect for hot summer days! This is one you can wear in the fall, spring and summer months with your favorite shoes, headband and handbag!

Trendy Midi and Maxi Dresses For Summer Barbecue Season!
Like my mom, I have quite a few casual little black dresses that I wear time and time again! I’ve struggled to find the perfect midi length dress to wear with wedges and sandals. I was so happy to stumble on this black midi length dress with shoulder ties and side slits! If you’re petite like I am, you know that often times midi length dresses are actually maxi dresses when we try them on! Thankfully this one has adjustable straps, so you can make it just right for your height.

The tie dye trend is extremely popular for 2020! I’m loving tie dye dresses, joggers, shorts and skirts. This summer, you can’t go wrong with this cool lightweight Delilah Midi Dress in white with purple tie dye. Not only is it perfect for relaxing at a summer barbecue, but it will make a great swimsuit coverup after you get out of the pool!


Not only is this pretty rose pink paisley print midi dress perfect for summer, but it’s a must for fall too! Nothing says fall in my opinion quite like charming paisley print, and this beauty will be perfect for a barbecue, a fall pumpkin patch, and more. I love the flattering flounce overlay too! This dress comes in two different colors and is a favorite!

Maxi Dresses You’ll Wear Often This Summer!
How fabulous is this white button front maxi length dress? It is the perfect dress for summer. You can wear it on its own with your favorite pair of sandals or with your Golden Goose sneakers and a denim jacket on a cool evening. I guarantee you’ll wear this chic dress time and time again this season and for summers to come!

Free People has long been one of my favorite brands, but this summer I am obsessed with their entire collection. This fab Let’s Smock About It maxi dress is available in two different colors and perfect for nearly every occasion this summer! You can wear it to a friend’s house, your backyard, to run errands or an intimate wedding.

Just because tropical vacations have been canceled doesn’t mean you can’t dress like you’re on vacation! 😉 This season I’m loving this tropical-inspired Valeria tiered maxi dress. It’ll brighten your spirits and will have you dreaming about your next vacation in 2021!
