Linda Kenney

Hot summer nights are ideal for cool summer dresses. What other fashion is so comfortable and charming for evening? Dresses of all lengths are available this season; take your pick. A short, striped dress worn with flat sandals connotes summer fun. Layer with a cute shrug. A very casual red dress is perfect for your pool party; its built-in bra makes it easy to wear. Perhaps a dropped waist knit fills the bill for you; it works with heels or flats. Choose solid or print. A print shift dress with lace affectation is feminine and flattering for all. Or wear your shift with lace leggings for an edgy look.

The long patio dress, or maxi as it used to be called, is tremendously popular this season. Wear it to all evening functions. From pool party to formal dinner, the fabric decides whether it’s a casual or dressy look. Viscose and knits do casual well, while silk and voile are great for the dressy party.

Invitations for evening that include a dress code can be confusing. Let’s take a quick look at the usual options for women. Black Tie, White Tie, or Formal call for long dresses or long evening separates. Creative Black Tie would add cocktail dresses to the mix. Semi-Formal and After-Five dictate cocktail dresses. Business Formal suggests that women opt for short, elegant dresses. Cocktail Attire or Informal also mean short, elegant dresses. Festive Attire usually means informal with the appropriate party flavor. Dressy Casual or Texas Chic mean dressy separates including dressy jeans. Casual generally means anything goes; reflect the tone of the event. Wherever you go on these hot Texas nights, enjoy them and be cool.