The sundress is to summer as peanut butter is to jelly. You can't have one without the other, and even if you do, something just feels wrong.

A cotton sundress is easy to slip on and looks flattering on almost all body shapes. The best part is that they are versatile enough to look appropriate for the boardwalk, the classroom or the dinner table.

The Kate Dress ($98 from J. Crew) is a modern style mini-dress that comes in Bright Flame and Cabana Blue. Its scoop neck and mid-thigh cut make it a little dressier and more sophisticated, so it's great for pairing with heels for a nighttime look.

The Kate Dress

A lightweight full length dress provides more coverage, but is still airy enough for warmer weather. The Maxi Tube Dress ($29.50 from Old Navy), for example, looks best with flats or sandals, which don't overwhelm the size of it. Warning: petite girls should steer clear of this size dress!

Maxi Tube Dress

Classic style sundresses like the Donna Morgan Eyelet Sundress ($158 from Nordstrom) that are updated with bright colors and subtle designs will become staples in a wardrobe because of their ability to stick around through the waves of trends.

Donna Morgan Eyelet Sundress

The most popular sundresses style this season is "smocked." It's flowy. It's lightweight. It's comfortable. It's all over Hollywood and if you want a trend you've got one. In my opinion the look is a bit sloppy, but if you are really feeling it, follow the examples of Eva Mendes, Nicole Richie and Sienna Miller and pair the dress with a neutral bag or jeweled sandals.

Smocked Sundress

--Johnie