Where do you go when you’re looking for non-leggings pants to wear around the house? When you’re looking for sandals that you can walk for miles in? For me, the answer is easy: shopping expert Caroline Moss’s online community, better known as “Wow, thanks, I just bought it.” There, you’ll find a tribe of bargain hunters (affectionately called Geezers) who dole out tried-and-true shopping advice day after day.
I check the group Facebook page religiously for jewelry, but I also enjoy Moss’s newsletters, which highlight her personal picks. Recently – as she has for five years – she declared the dress of the year 2024. Yes, it’s a big deal: old people await this choice with bated breath as soon as the weather warms up. This year, Old Navy Fit & Flare Rib Mesh Maxi Dress is that.”
Old Navy
Once word gets out about how amazing this size-inclusive dress looks on different people, we bet it’s going to sell out, so don’t miss your chance to grab it now. It’s available in colors including fiery red, slimming black, and this pretty pink.
Don’t let the unassuming silhouette fool you: This $40 dress is magical, and its simplicity is what makes it amazing. It’s a blank canvas to style as you see fit depending on where you’re going. Pair it with a denim jacket and classic white sneakers or flip-flops for a casual look. Go a little fancier with heels or sandals and a pair of stunning earrings.
As for fit, this dress is available in regular sizes up to 4X, as well as petite and tall sizes up to XXL. It really works for almost everyone – and everyone body. It may look tight in photos, but the thick ribbed cotton isn’t very sticky or revealing. It also has some spandex, so it’s stretchy and moves with you. And the maxi length? It’s perfect for bowing without showing off the goods!
If you’re wondering why Moss loves this dress, here’s what she said in her newsletter: “A basic that will go with everything in your closet. alone in the summer. Infinite possibilities.”
Still need more convincing that this dress should be at the top of your Memorial Day shopping list? Old Navy shoppers are equally smitten. There are over 500 five-star reviews, with shoppers praising the fit and quality of the fabric. They also love that it’s not see-through!
“I bought three of these in different colors,” said one customer. “I thought if I didn’t like them, I would just go back. But, my God, I love them. [the] the material is perfect, not flimsy or cheap looking. It also has a great material added to give it more shine. It locks perfectly.”
Another customer commented: “I’ve already received so many compliments and plus it’s so comfortable!
A common complaint? The length. That said, it wasn’t a deal breaker for most people.
“Very flattering for a curvy girl,” one person explained. “I bought all the colors except the wishbone. [The dress] It takes a long time for me, but I still love it.”
Psst: Worried about your bra straps showing? Check out the best bras of 2024, including our favorite strapless option.
Old Navy
Shoppers say washing this dress is a breeze, plus it doesn’t wrinkle easily—a plus for summer travel.
The revisions cited above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
