With spring underway, the days are getting longer and the evenings that bit lighter.
This also means that warm weather is on the horizon, with summer just three months away in welcome news for anyone who has been missing the sunshine. For anyone who needs a summer wardrobe refresh, now is the right time to update your clothes.
Nothing says summer quite like a dress. The Daily Record’s Fashion & Beauty Writer Rachel Williams headed to the high street to find the best summer dresses on the market right now. Here’s her top picks from the likes of H&M, River Island, M&S and New Look.
If you’re like me, then the sunnier season presents the opportunity to nab a few new dresses for your wardrobe. Let’s face it, when it comes to a fuss-free clothing item that can be styled in various different ways, it is the dress.
Whether I am heading to a barbecue, picnic or wedding, or off on holiday, I am always on the hunt for a trusty new number to see me through every occasion.
Even better, many high street retailers are currently packed full with new spring/summer edits, and many of them feature an adorable frock that will suit any personal style. As a fashion writer and a huge fan of dresses, I decided to try on some pretty numbers you can buy right now from New Look, M&S, H&M and River Island.
New Look
(Image: Daily Record/Rachel Williams)
Off White Stripe Knit Sleeveless Split Hem Midi Dress
Price: £29.99
If you’re looking for a new wardrobe that is both affordable and stylish, then high street retailer New Look is usually a popular go-to for many of us.
From midi to short dresses, the fashion chain has something for everyone’s style. However, one that I fell in love with is this casual, yet stylish, Off White Stripe Sleeveless Split Hem Midi Dress.
During the warmer season, I prefer something with a bit of versatility, which is where this striped number comes in handy. With its simple design, this number can be dressed up or down, and you can even fling over a lightweight cardigan or jacket if the UK weather cools down.
What surprised me the most about this dress was just how flattering it was. Despite its striped pattern and knitted material, it didn’t cling to any problem areas and skimmed over my curves. I am also a fan of the midi-length that is ideal for making me look a bit taller than my average 5ft 5″.
With its casual design, this is the kind of dress I would buy for a perfect all-rounder this season. Pair it with chunky sandals and your sunnies, and you have a perfect daytime look you can reuse time and time again.
You can purchase New Look’s Off White Stripe Knit Sleeveless Split Hem Midi Dress for £29.99 here.
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M&S
(Image: Daily Record/Rachel Williams)
Printed Round Neck Midaxi Tea Dress
Price: £39.50
If there is one retailer that has been pulling it out of the bag when it comes to fashion for every season, it’s M&S.
To help us fashionistas get ready for the warmer weather, the beloved retailer has dropped a new edit for us to shop online and in store. One dress that many shoppers have been heaping praise on is the Printed Round Neck Midaxi Tea Dress.
With a near perfect five star rating on the retailer’s website, I decided to give it a try – and I instantly fell in love. First up, I absolutely adore the pastel pink shade and playful print that make this a “feminine” number that you can wear to all occasions.
I spotted quite a few reviews stating that this dress was “comfy” and “easy to wear”, and I have to agree. Its graceful length and midi-length skirt make this perfect for those warmer days when you are heading to lunch with the girls.
For me, I personally really loved the lightweight fabric that draped beautifully over my figure. I did find that, like quite a few M&S items right now, that the sizing is quite generous, so it might be worth sizing down for something a bit more “fitted”.
Similar to New Look, I find this dress the perfect multitasker for the new season. However, it’s a bit more of a feminine choice that can be dressed up with cute heels for a daytime or evening look.
You can purchase M&S’ Printed Round Neck Midaxi Tea Dress for £39.50 here.
Fashion deal of the week
As we approach the summer season, many of us might be planning some vacations for a well-deserved break.
If you’re looking to make your travel feel that bit easier, then it is handy to have the right outfit that will keep you comfy. Which is why we are loving Marks and Spencer’s Cotton Blend Slim Fit Ankle Grazer Joggers.
These £32.50 M&S Collection Joggers have been designed for maximum comfort and they are going down well with fashion fans and holiday-makers alike who have been raving over them as “extremely comfy”. They are available in short/petite, regular and long lengthways.
Shoppers are able to snap these “flattering” joggers up in six colours – buff, taupe, terracotta, nightshade, blue and soft green. When we checked online, there were still many sizes ranging from a UK 6 to 24, depending on the colour and length you are buying.
These joggers boast the classic regular-fit design and ankle grazer length with a button and zip fastening. Crafted from a soft cotton-blend material with an elasticated waistband and cuffs, these £32.50 joggers are said to be “brilliant for travelling in” and a “staple for summer.”
One glowing review read: “Love these trousers, I now have 5 pairs, soo, comfy, brilliant for travelling in, but can be smart/ casual. Cant recommended them enough.”
Shoppers can purchase the £32.50 Cotton Blend Slim Fit Ankle Grazer Joggers from the M&S website here.
H&M
(Image: Daily Record/Rachel Williams)
Linen Blend Midi Dress
Price: £27.99
With the cream/floral mix of this dress selling out fast on the H&M website, believe me when I tell you that I ran to try this dress when I spotted a few left in store.
Why you might ask? First up, I am a lover of linen for the spring/summer season, and I also am a huge fan of romantic-style dresses that make me feel like I have just stepped of a plane into a warm country – which is exactly what I felt when wearing this dress.
If you’re looking for a dress that is incredibly flattering, then this item is perfect. Despite being a regular medium in most stores, I tried on a small, as it was the only size available, and found that it was absolutely perfect and never felt snug anywhere.
From its lightweight material that feels incredibly soft on the skin to its swishy skirt and pretty floral pattern, this linen frock made me feel like the lead character in a romance movie. I did read a few reviews mentioning that it was slightly “neat across the bust”, but I did not find this particular issue, but it might be worth keeping an eye on.
You can purchase H&M’s Linen Blend Midi Dress for £27.99 here. While it is selling fast, you can purchase it in a white/blue floral mix for the same price.
Perfect for popping in your suitcase for any vacations, whilst also being perfect for wearing on a hot day over in the UK, I personally think that this is THE dress of the summer for me.
River Island
(Image: Daily Record/Rachel Williams)
Pink Floral Slip Maxi Dress
Price: £65
It’s the dress that was recently hailed as “holiday goals” by fashion fans on social media. So, naturally, I had to try it out for myself to see if it was worth the praise.
Since my local River Island didn’t have many dresses in store, I was quite pleased to find this viral Pink Floral Slip Maxi Dress on the shelves with quite a few sizes left. With its eye-catching print, it’s pretty hard to miss, making it perfect for anyone who loves to make a statement with their wardrobe.
After trying the £65 number on, I found that I agreed with a lot of its fans. Its material was lightweight and draped beautifully, which makes this perfect for those lazy beach days when you are on vacation.
The only issue that I had was with the sizing. While the fit was perfect on my curves, I did find that it was a little bit neat across the chest area, and it wasn’t as roomy as some of the others that I tried on – so, this is one that might be worth sizing up.
Issue with the sizing aside, I still loved this dress and think it is worth all the praise it has received. Its eye-catching, floral print definitely reminded of those beachside days that we are all longing for right now.
You can purchase River Island’s Pink Floral Slip Maxi Dress for £65 here.
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