by Catalogs.com Info Guru Terri Wallace

As summer descends, with all of its seaside swelter, it is time to strip down to the fewest articles of clothing possible.

While tanks and flip flops may work for poolside, summer evenings require something with a bit more style; these resort cocktail dresses will keep you cool all summer long.

10. Shirt Dress – Michael Stars

When you want to feel comfortable and classic, trendy yet timeless, reach for an always fashionable shirt dress at Michael Stars. A shirt dress can take you from lunch with the ladies to a wine tasting with your man of the moment. Although inspired by menswear, this dress is decidedly feminine, highlighting every curve. Perfect for exploring the local museums and shops before a late night beach bonfire.

9. Off-the-Shoulder

Show off the curve of your neck, that beauty mark on the back of your shoulder leading down the length of your toned, tanned arm. An off-the-shoulder dress will tempt and tease as it showcases your summer self. Paired with chunky gold jewelry, this daring dress is the stuff of myth.

8. High/Low Dress

Let your legs be the star of the show with the trendy high low/dress. The fabric showcases long, lean legs and the season’s stylish sandals. Whether you play up the bohemian flair, or go for a more sophisticated sensibility, the high/low dress will be one of the summer’s favorite fashions.

7. Tiered Bodice

For a little more coverage, the tiered bodice can camouflage fuller figures or give definition to less curvy physiques. This tiered bodice dress is the Greek Goddess of summer fashions. Long, lean, and statuesque, the elegant layers add drama and interest to the too often too-bare summer silhouette.

6. Color Block

When you need something a little more sophisticated, more powerful, more daring…consider a color block dress. Go straight from cocktails to the theater and still look like a star. And if you want to go for a little star gazing on the beach afterwards…well, this sassy little dress is just the ticket.

5. Shift Dress

If you need something special for a romantic rendezvous, slide into this sexy shift dress. A little fancy and definitely feminine, this flirty dress will flaunt all your graceful curves. Add a little candlelight and a bottle of wine, and you have all the makings of a memorable evening.

4. Wrap Dress

Wrap yourself in easy elegance with this simple wrap dress. Never frumpy and never fussy, the wrap dress offers comfort as well as style. Sightsee all day, then share a bottle of wine late into the night. No high maintenance. No drama.

3. Dropped Waist

A little flirt, a little flapper…the dropped waist dress is classic without being clingy. Indulge in a decadent dessert, have that extra cocktail. For those nights when you want to give into your impulses, forgo form fitting fashions–the dropped waist dress hints at your curves and suggests sexiness while still letting you enjoy yourself. This is a vacation. Enjoy it.

2. Column dress

When you want elegance without exhibitionism, consider the timeless column dress from Peruvian Connection. Perfect for a crisp early summer evening, or for that oh-so-important Meet the Parents lunch with your new beau, this dress is modest without being matronly, highlighting an hourglass figure without flaunting it.

1. Little Black Dress

You can never have too many Little Black Dresses. A basic black number is just the thing when classic elegance is needed. Dress it up with a strand of freshwater pearls and strappy stilettos, or make it beach worthy with turquoise and silver jewelry paired with a wedge sandal.