Summer Sundresses Don't Have to Be "Cute"

Typically, a few words come to mind when thinking of summer dresses: airy, pretty, girly and soft. However, there are some new options with an edge for those who can't stand the thought of being "girly."

Billabong has a great line of fashionable summer dresses that are more "pretty in punk" than "pretty in pink." Their "Liz" dress is made of stretchy material that doesn't cling, so it's perfect for anything from a weekend barbeque to a late-night concert. An embroidered flower climbs up the skirt of this dress, giving it a little added flair, but it's raw edges and side knots keep it in line with a "not-trying-to-hard" feel. It comes in a variety of colors, including blue, green and red, but the black is the most versatile. You can buy this dress in almost any store that sells surf or skate clothes, including Tillys.com.

Roxy is a hot name in surfing, but it can also look hot on your body. The Roxy "Sunset" dress has the look of a long t-shirt, yet you don't have to pair it with heavy jeans to have a complete look. Its horizontal stripes give it a casual feel, while the elastic waist cinches the dress to remind the boys that, hey, there's still a good body under there. The light fabric also makes it a great cover-up when going straight from beach to boardwalk. Check it out anywhere Roxy is sold or buy it directly from Swell.com.

It doesn't get much more summery than this Rusty "Seashell" dress. The green-and-white color combo gives it a bright look without going too pastel. It's also available in brown to match the dark tan you're bound to get flaunting this hot number. The most feminine of the dresses in this group, this is a edgy dress that says "just because I act like one of the boys doesn't mean I have to look like one." Again, you can find this one at Swell.com, proving that they're, well...swell.

So you want to be a sailor, but you don't want to deal with the, um...scurvy and pirates? You can get your kicks in this "Sailor" dress by O'Neill instead. The striped cotton tube dress with metal star accent makes you feel like a Captain without ever setting sail. It's perfect for nights at the beach bar when you're getting "three sheets to the wind." Zappos stocks this getup.

Don't get why other girls lug around their huge Louie Vuitton's in the hot summer heat? Well maybe it's because their dresses don't have pockets like yours do. In this Split "Bellini" dress, you'll have plenty of pocket space for the essentials in life. The skinny straps and cinched bustline lets you show off your bod, but the longer length also guarantees you won't be mooning anyone...unless you want to, that is. PacSun's got this one.

So when you're hanging around town in your new picks, remember it's not how hot it is, it's how hot you look.