I tried on a bunch of Gap dresses that are all on sale — 12 of the best ones if you're in your 40s or beyond
I wandered in and tried on every dress that caught my eye, and ended up finding 12 of the best maxis, minis and more for summer 2025. The best part? They're all marked down as part of Gap's massive sale where you can save up to 50 per cent on everything — including previously-marked down items.
If you're in your 40s like me, or beyond, these dresses are all flattering, stylish and affordable. Scroll down to see what I tried on and my honest review of each style.
$44 $90 at Gap
This unbelievably soft denim mini is made from an ultra-light Tencel blend fabric. I don't normally love showing off my legs above the knee, but I owned a similar dress from The Gap over 20 years ago — and this one made me feel like I can still pull the style off. The empire waist means my mommy middle isn't on display, and the concealed side zipper makes it super easy to take on and off. Plus, how great are the adjustable and removable spaghetti straps?
$54 $108 at Gap
I typically wear black — but I was struck by the beauty of this deep forest green. A pet peeve of mine is when strapless dresses slide down, so I was happy to see this one has gripping tape on the inside to keep the top secure. A slit at the side gives the look a little edge, and I'm obsessed with the fact that there's a built-in shelf bra.
$59 $118 at Gap
At first, I was skeptical about the bubble hem of this mini, but when I put it on, I was wowed by its playfulness. Gap has a ton of dresses with elasticized backs and adjustable straps, and I love how versatile they are. With a wide range of regular, tall and petite sizes, I agree with one reviewer who proclaimed "Just get it!"
From $95 $118 at Gap
As I've gotten older, shopping has become much more about how I feel in what I wear. The moment I slipped into this flowy, floral dress, it felt like summer had arrived. It hugs in all the right places, and I'm a huge fan of the ruffled cap sleeves. The buttons on the front bodice are also a nice touch. I found this dress behind a rack, all bunched up, and yet it had no visible wrinkles — low maintenance and cute.
From $54 $118 at Gap
This fully lined linen-blend mini dress also features a hidden side zipper, which can be a game changer when you're eager to get undressed on a hot day. I've never owned a bright red summer dress, and trying this one on, I wondered why that was the case. Some shoppers commented online that the dress runs large, so you may want to size down. Personally, I like the looser fit, but keep in mind I am wearing an XS.
From $59 $118 at Gap
When I was a kid, I used to sneak into my mom's closet and try on her dresses, the most coveted being her off-the-shoulder styles. This soft and stretchy cotton-blend design hugs my frame comfortably. It also comes with removable spaghetti straps, if you're looking to really lean into its Pretty in Pink vibe. The slant pockets add a fun functionality to the "adorable" dress.
$64 $128 at Gap
Anyone else out there spend their pre-teen years in Laura Ashley? This dress reminds me of those fun floral frocks. The colours complement each other nicely and the floral print can also easily hide any stains from my kids' chocolately hands (moms, you know what I'm talking about). I tried a small, but I'd definitely go down to my regular XS.
$79 $158 at Gap
I loved the embroidered detail throughout this flattering halter dress. The front slit also gives it that sexy-mama-on-the-town feel, which can be a nice change from my daily uniform of sweats and tees. The only thing I'd mention is it does run a bit brighter than the site photo indicates — which was fine by me.
$84 $168 at Gap
The length, the look and the all over embroidery really make this elegant maxi dress stand out. I also appreciate the square neck with the scalloped trim because I rarely wear a bra and like the higher chest coverage. I'll definitely have a steamer on hand when I'm ready to wear, as it does seem prone to wrinkles.
From $44 $90 at Gap
I was convinced there was no way this leopard print dress would look good on me, but surprisingly, it felt great on. The soft yet heavyweight linen blend mini is very well constructed, and it features a smocked back and concealed zipper. Don't feel comfortable going strapless? There are removable spaghetti straps. While I might not wear this dress frequently, it would be a great choice for a moms' night out.
$64 $128 at Gap
As a busy mom, style often takes a backseat to function. But sometimes even middle aged gals like me enjoy making a fashion statement — and this dress does just that. Paired with summer sandals and a wide belt, how cute would I look at camp pickup or grabbing some groceries (or dresses) at Walmart? It's dresses like these that remind me that making an effort doesn't actually take much effort at all.
From $64 $128 at Gap
I love the fit and feel of this figure-flattering maxi dress. The button front gives it a more contoured fit, and the adjustable spaghetti straps allow you to customize the amount of support on top. The side seam pockets increase the practical elegance of this sexy summer dress. I also appreciate the lightweight nature of the viscose-nylon fabric, making it an excellent option for humid days. While the colourway I tried on is almost completely sold out, the other two available prints are equally pretty.
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