My summer closet consists of mainly of two things: dresses and shorts. That’s why I get especially excited when the two meet in the middle to create the best piece imaginable — a dress with built‑in shorts. As someone who’s been obsessed with this fashionable, functional style throughout my 30s and early motherhood, I know the slimming, sculpting power this wardrobe powerhouse delivers. That’s exactly why I’m stocking up on new styles this season.
Thankfully, retailers have caught on to how much shoppers love this summer‑ready dress style, with breezy options ranging from athletic dresses with shorts to work‑ready styles and even date‑night‑approved silhouettes. If you also want to embrace slimming summer dresses ahead of the season, join me in shopping these 21 options below from retailers like Amazon, Nordstrom, Walmart, Abercrombie & Fitch and more — starting at just $15.
21 Slimming Summer Dresses With Built-In Shorts
1. Our Favorite: Flirty and fun, this wrap mini dress shows off the best of your figure. With built-in shorts and a slimming mid-section wrap, it smooths, shapes and keeps you covered, so you can move with well-deserved confidence.
2. Breezy Vibes: Embrace breathable, beautiful style in this flowy romper dress. Reviewers say the empire-waist pick is the perfect blend of breezy comfort and flattering design.
3. Best Seller: As one of Amazon’s top-selling tennis dresses, this flattering V-neck athletic dress is made to move. Whether you’re running errands or laps, the built-in shorts stay secure and comfortable throughout.
4. Immediate Purchase: A smocked sundress with built-in shorts? Why didn’t someone think of this sooner! It’s the perfect mix of cute, comfy and flattering.
5. Best of Both: A tad athletic, a bit ‘everyday,’ this pleated dress with built-in shorts blends performance with polish. Source the slimming summer dress in fuchsia or black.
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6. All-Over Support: This Quince one-shoulder athletic dress isn’t just ultra flattering, it’s also built for stay-put movement from top to bottom. The top offers real support (even for busty gals), and the built-in shorts don’t venture into chaffing territory.
7. Oh Baby: Baby doll dresses are so in, and Abercrombie read my mind with its Emerson mini dress. With an empire-waist cut, built-in shorts and flirty bust ties, it’s both sweet and practical.
8. A Bit of Bounce: Even those averse to showing too much leg won’t be able to resist this ruffle skort dress from Abercrombie. With breezy layers and a slimming midsection fit, the resort-ready frock has that flouncy, flattering appeal.
9. Trending Design: Drop-waist dresses have come back with a vengeance, and this smocked skort dress is a testament to the trend. The forgiving fit and swing skirt are about to become my whole summer vibe.
10. Boardroom Babe: A work dress with built-in shorts? This slimming blazer dress has total coverage that makes it as functional as it is fashionable.
11. One and Done: This fit-and-flare athletic dress is an Old Navy favorite. With sizes XS to 4X and fits including regular, petite and tall, it’s a summer staple that works for every shape and size.
12. Wear Everywhere: Get the look of an everyday dress with the function of an athletic style in this square-neck tennis number. Walmart reviewers love how easy this slimming dress — complete with cute cap sleeves — is to dress up or down.
13. Top-Tier Bra: Built-in shorts aren’t the only thing selling me on this slimming athletic dress. The criss-cross back straps give my bust all the support I need to make every day comfortable and secure.
14. Chic Movement: Adorned with a cute gingham pattern, this zip-front athletic dress blends sporty ease with feminine fashion. The shorts offer stay-put, compression-like coverage, while the ruffle hem adds a cheeky-but-chic finish.
15. Distinct Style: Should your style lean more romper than dress, consider this crossback tennis style. With a tank-like top and flowy built-in shorts, it gives you freedom to move without tugging, shifting or second guessing.
16. Classic Touch: Bubble hems add a touch of timeless style to any ensemble, and this slimming athletic dress rocks the look beautifully. With a sculpted, slimming top that gives way to a flirty skirt, the shorts swoop in to keep everything comfortably in place.
17. Everyday Pick: A ruched waist and sweetheart neckline merge with a tiered ruffle skirt in this sleeveless A-line dress with shorts. Reviewers say it has that dreamy fit that hugs in all the right places without riding up.
18. Brilliant Contrast: The piping does all the work in this slimming tennis dress with shorts. Far from being predictable, the color palette steps beyond basics with fun seasonal hues like lilac, baby pink and more.
19. Best Brand: As a long-standing Beach Riot fan, I promise this color-block athletic dress delivers all the slimming magic you want it to. The colorful waist design cinches in, while the flowy black skirt offers a sophisticated contrast.
20. Drinks and Dinner: One too many dresses with built-in shorts are all about athleticism. This Bcbg mini dress with shorts switches things up with a sleek romper look that reads date night ready at first glance.
21. Best Bodysuit: There’s a reason nearly 1,000 Amazon shoppers swooped up this cozy shapewear dress with shorts this past month. The stay-in-place bodysuit hides under the top layer, which floats beautifully over it.
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