Where to Buy Summer Dresses on a Budget

It seems harder and harder to find attractive, affordable women's clothing these days. As the days get warmer, a woman's thoughts turn to finding some perfect summer dresses. Unfortunately, the cost of clothing is on the rise, so it's hard to find summer dresses that don't cost a lot.

For the beach or those carefree warm days and nights, summer dresses are always appropriate. Here are a few places to buy some cute affordable summer dresses.

Wal-Mart

It might surprise you to learn that Wal-Mart actually has some cute summer dresses in stores this season. The retailer is usually associated with household products and food; however, Wal-Mart actually has a few trendy and affordable clothing lines. I've found some nice halter dresses and summer sundresses here, in fabrics like jersey and lightweight cotton. There are fun maxi dresses and minis too, in an explosion of bright floral prints.

Summer dresses by Faded Glory are available in misses sizes, while dresses by No Boundaries are aimed at juniors. I love the George line at Wal-Mart for summer dresses. I noticed some ladylike cotton floral ones that could be dressed up for a more formal occasion, or worn casually for a day on the boardwalk. All the summer dresses I've seen at Wal-Mart stores usually retail for under $20.

Target

In the past few years, Target stores have increasingly become a source for fashionable summer dresses by the hottest designers. Popular designers of the moment, like Jovovich Hawk, love to design reasonably priced lines of clothing that are exclusive to Target (look for Jovovich Hawk for Target's trendy boho print halter dress in cotton modal fabric, a steal for $30 if there are any left on the racks!)

Isaac Mizrahi has been designing for Target for quite a few years, and he has produced some really nice summer dresses this season. I noticed a breezy eyelet halter sundress from Izaac Mizrahi for Target that is quite versatile and adorable. This dress costs $39 and would be darling dressed up or down for many different occasions this summer. Mizrahi is a classic American designer and you can't go wrong with his tasteful summer dresses.