Five Gorgeous and Colorful Summer Dresses that Cost Less Than $50

Summer is a great time to inject some color into your wardrobe. Bright shades not only warm up your complexion, they make you feel good.

Thankfully, colorful summer dresses do not have to cost a lot. Here are five cheap summer dresses that deliver big when it comes to color.

This Faded Glory organic cotton maxi dress costs $14.00 at Walmart. The bright pink color and long length would look equally at home strolling along the beach or on a dinner date. Just add a chunky silver bracelet and necklace and a lightweight jacket for a sexy evening look.

A Rena Rowan Sleeveless Cotton Tie Front Print Dress costs $39.99 at K-mart. The cute details, including a black sash and trim make it look much more expensive. The artsy print makes it ideal for a gallery opening or other slightly dress occasion. Also check out the pink and black version here.

The Women's Floral Yasmine Dress from Converse has a soft, romantic pattern in blue and black.

The styling is casual and feminine with a drawstring waist and pleated front. It costs $29.99 at Target.

This yellow and black floral sun dress from JC Penney for $29.99 is a real eye-catcher. I love the feminine and flattering cut which takes style cues from much more expensive designer brands. By itself, this dress looks cute and summery. Paired with a tailored short-sleeve jacket, it makes a great look for work. It is also available in plus sizes for $34.99, which can be viewed here.

Also from JC Penney is this V-neck sun dress in a coral and black print. It costs $34.99 and has a flattering shape with a back zipper. For more formal occasions, pair it with a chunky black necklace. An advantage of this dress is that it does not need dry cleaning.

It's easy to see from the examples above, you need not spend a lot to get hot summer color into your wardrobe. The dresses above go easily from day to evening with a little extra jewellery. Some of them might even be worn to work - just pair them with a jacket to keep from showing too much skin.

The colorful summer dresses above look best with natural make-up and minimal jewellery. Too much bright make-up or jewellery can be overpowering when paired with a brightly colored dress. However, a few bright notes of color, for instance in lipstick or a bracelet can accentuate what you are wearing.