We’ve waited all year for this: it’s sundress season. Whether you’re dining al fresco at a chic spot on the water, or enjoying an outdoor wedding, it’s time for this particularly lovely, feminine piece to shine.

And there are as many sundress styles are there are occasions to wear them. Here are some of the season’s highlights:

Summer sophisticate: If the combination of linen and fancy sounds like an oxymoron to you, then you haven’t yet been introduced to the Petra Linen Dress ($239 on veronicabeard.com). The designer’s streamlined slip dress makes for an unusually elegant silhouette (read: no rumpled or wrinkled lines here, despite it being 100% linen) — and is further refined by its beautiful multi-color floral print and square neckline. Trust it to turn heads at weddings and semi-formal events alike.

Summer sensational: When you find yourself needing a knockout number that’s still a sundress, look no further than Farm Rio’s Green Monstera Embroidery Midi Dress ($320 on tnuck.com). I absolutely love its cool green hue and the sweetheart neckline adds come-hither charm.

Summer sleekness: Easy and breezy doesn’t need to look unkempt, and the proof is the Wellington Maxi Dress by Lilly Pulitzer ($228 on lillypulitzer.com). The stunning blue and white maxi dress is a straight-fit column design that clings to the body in all the right places without being constricting. Meanwhile, the back cutout emphasizes a pretty tie at the neck, while the side has a slit to the knee.

Summer simplicity: Take the softness of 100% environmentally friendly, breathable cotton poplin and match it up with a flattering, flowing empire-waisted maxi frock. What have you got? One of the comfiest dresses of the summer — the Organic Cotton Sleeveless Maxi Dress ($69.90 on quince.com) in Azure Stripe. It’s a look that conjures up weekends wearing seersucker on the beach, and hazy, lazy afternoons filled with gazing at the sky.

Summer silk: When the weather is hotter than Hades but you don’t want to give up on glamour, slip into the Sharman Silk Halter Dress ($221 on wolfandbadger.com) by Dijo Clothing. Made of lightweight mulberry silk — it was designed in Australia and ethically manufactured in India — its original Anahata print is a showstopper, thanks to the vibrant green surrounded by pink, yellow, and red, easily adjusted with a tasseled tie-front.

Summer splendid: The Unique Fish Floral Print Midi Dress ($44 on likemychoice.com) stands out for its print. I love the playful and artistically drawn blue and white fish on the flowy skirt underlined by ocean waves, which is contrasted by a close-fitting bodice with a halter neck. The effect is both buttoned up yet flirty, and completely memorable.

Summer sweetness: As pretty as a sunny country day, Aqua’s Santa Barbara Dress ($98 on bloomingdales.com) combines light peach and lilac floral designs on both its borders and scattered across the rest of its fit-and-flare design. (The skirt hits at mid-calf.) The self-tie straps and smocked-back bodice both give you plenty of adjustability, too.