Much of the story’s focus is on sight, specifically Michael’s obvious wandering eye. Though he thinks he watches these women unnoticed, Frances has known about this habit of his for quite some time. She notes that he even has different ogling habits depending on how beautiful the woman is: he will turn away if he does not find the woman attractive, he will watch for “seven steps” if he does, and he will “practically break his neck” for anyone exceptionally pretty. Michael exemplifies the male gaze, or the idea that all people and things—women included—exist for the enjoyment of men. He sees little harm in window shopping for other sexual partners while his wife watches. It is his belief that New York City is a beacon for witnessing beautiful women. Its multicultural, eclectic makeup is not exciting for its diversity or the opportunity to experience different cultures. Instead, it is intriguing because it brings so many types of women within Michael’s line of sight. He is a near-caricatured male figure who cannot see the world beyond his place in it.

While Michael may comfortably—and largely without reprimand, until the story’s beginning—fantasize about being with other women, Frances must either insecurely tolerate this aspect of their marriage or leave it altogether. She is put in a position where she must devalue herself by knowing she is not the only glimmer in her husband’s eye or lose their connection completely. She seems to resign herself to this unpleasant scenario by suggesting that they meet up with their friends in the afternoon after all. Michael, on the other hand, responds to the situation in a seemingly inappropriate way. At the end of the story, when Frances walks to the telephone, she is clearly upset by the conversation they’ve had. A typical response might be remorse or concern for one’s partner; Michael’s inner monologue instead comments on how pretty she is, and how nice her legs look. This is uncomfortable and unsupportive, just as Michael’s previous behavior has been. He continues to see no real issue with his focus on attraction.

“The Girls in Their Summer Dresses” brings to light ideas of honesty and deception. The conversation that Frances and Michael are having is, as a whole, based entirely upon what was once unspoken. Frances has noticed Michael’s meandering gaze for quite some time, and this is the first time it has been brought into the open. In many ways, Frances feels that her husband is deceiving her. He is looking at other women, fantasizing about them, and straying from her. In addition, by not owning up to it until he is asked directly, he maintains dishonesty. Michael repeats that he has not been unfaithful—he has never been with another woman since his marriage to Frances. Frances does not seem convinced nor comforted by his statement. In her eyes, he has already been deceiving her whether or not anything physical occurred. Frances, in her own way, has been forced to be dishonest with herself to keep the peace of their relationship. She told herself Michael’s wandering eyes meant nothing, that some men are just “like that.” By the end of the story, Frances ended up in a position where her concerns were not validated as they should have been.