I went through a dresses phase. Not just any dresses, dresses that warrant a hate forum gossip website to liken me to a Victorian doll. Or Andy Pandy. Both comments were quite funny to be fair and more to the point; bang on accurate. Between 2020 and 2023 I was going through some stuff. I wanted clothes that figuratively and literally hid me away. So, I bl**dy loved a floral maxi dress. Every day. Probably with trainers (sneakers, for y’all over there) and overly curled hair. See? The Victorian doll comment was on point.
After that period of time, the idea of wearing dresses is akin to nails screeching down a blackboard. I sold, donated or binned pretty much all of them a couple of years ago. If it was remotely “milkmaid-chic” it went. I feel my style has moved on any way, in the same I wouldn’t wear the pedal pushers my teenage self wore to get into B*witched thought were cool. But there’s something about dresses that really gives me the ick.
However, with a few events in the diary (as it appears from my DMs, so have you lot) I’ve realised there is a place for some of them and I’ve spent a lot of time bookmarking them - so let’s go through them (and my rationale) …
I suspect that part of the reason dresses now feel so off is that when I wore them it was almost like I surrendered everything I’d ever remembered about my style. As long as it “hid” my body I didn’t care about the colour, the proportions or… anything. So this time I have created some boundaries to make sure that if I am wearing a dress it doesn’t feel like I’ve lost myself…
Sticking to a palette - I now have quite a tight palette of colours I wear. Not through Tibi circles, instead I’ve gone with colours that I feel good in. No circle needed. Neutrals alongside side sage greens and bright blues, with a little injection of of reds and sky blues.
Remembering proportions - Best advice I ever got on dresses? Remember to dress your silhouette in the same way as you would select a two piece outfit (top and bottom). For example; if you’re going with a floaty top half, the bottom needs some structure. If the skirt is super voluminous remember to have some skin showing to balance it out. Or if it’s a mini dress, balance it out with layers at the top or a decent amount of accessories so you don’t look bear (or the opposite; a maxi dress should have skin showing at the feet and wrists, etc). I think this is the main place I went wrong. Midi dresses with trainers cutting me off that the ankle, shudders.
Monochrome patterns only - Patterns are lovely but I am not a rainbow girly. Controversial, but I never think multicoloured clothes look chic. I think they scream “I had no idea what to wear, so I went with everything.” So, we can allow two-toned clothing, possibly three if the base colour is a neutral.
Multi purpose as much as possible - I don’t believe in shopping per occasion, I think its where you leave yourself open to having too many things. So, I try and buy things that I can wear multiple times, ideally for multiple occasions. Simpler, classic pieces that can be dressed up or down.
The last point is a personal one for me; if it looks remotely like something Kate Middleton would wear, take it off. Immediately. It works for her because she is a member of the royal family. It would not work for normal people; it looks safe and predictable. The time she wore red and a maple leaf broach in Canada or that she always wears McQueen military coats to army events makes me sad for her. It kills me. Mainly because I don’t think she really gives a sh*t about fashion and would much prefer to be in her leggings and a tee in her (private) garden.
I’ve broken this down into four parts; everyday elevated, mini dresses, fancier options and some ones for the office. Enjoy…
This is my dress comfort-zone. These outfits are all what I would call buildable. They’re a really good base and dependent on the accessories are great for lots of different occasions.
Green and White Midi Dress - This is from Farm Rio, who’s stuff is often a little wild for me colour wise. But they often do really nice two-tone options for those not ready to go fully multicoloured. What I find with these South American brands is they understand a woman’s shape. In fact they positively embrace it. They make dresses that can withstand my chest without collapsing and my hips are never an issue. They’re not cheap - but they are essentially Zimmermann quality for half the price.
Linen Fitted Midi Dress - I have this dress in the oatmeal and the cherry print (mainly to see how I felt about a cherry print and I love it). Reformation are surprisingly good for my shape - I feared they were made for waifs. I like this a lot and the cut is incredibly flattering. The slick fit makes it smart (could be for the office) but you can have fun with it; a cute heel and accessories could make this wedding guest appropriate too. A very hardworking option.
Navy Piped Edge Midi Dress - Another really good option if you want an “all occasions” option. I love wearing navy; it’s smart but not formal. Again, accessories will play a heavy role in how this one looks overall. I also love that the width of the back is wide enough to allow for a regular bra without the straps being shown.
Taupe Rushed Front Dress - I could have made an entire section purely out of this brand, Matteau. They have beautiful options. This with gold accessories and a flip flop on holiday? Sold.
Fit and Flare Midi Dress - This is a piece that’ll do the test of time with you. I love the colour (chocolate brown everything please) and the fit is sublime. I challenge you not to feel a million bucks in it. I really like the fact there is a hook for your bra strap in the shoulder too (RIXO dresses also do this). A classic, you’d own this for years.
I love a mini dress. Especially ones with blunt, straight lines to sort of “de-girly” them. They’re brilliant. I love one with a cardigan and flats in the summer. Worth buying a decent one so the fabric weight is heavy enough to avoid anyone seeing our enormous knickers in the wind.
Chocolate Polka Dot Dress - When I said I wanted to wear a mini dress with a cardigan and flats in the summer, I mean I want to where this mini dress with that combination. God I love it. I really like small polka dots, larger ones can sometimes be a bit bold and look cheap. I feel the same way about black/white polkas too. Give me cream/navy/chocolate options every time. The cut of this dress is… chefs kiss.
Blue Linen Cut Out Dress - I have this dress and I absolutely love it. Bright blue is almost a neutral for me; it goes with all other neutrals too. I actually wore this back to front as it has a scooped shape. The cut out trim is pretty without being too much and the shape means it doesn’t flick up in a breeze.
Printed Mini Dress - Not even sorry that this my third from this brand, their dresses are so good. Pretty without being girly. I am all for a print as long as the colours are ones I’d normally wear. Otherwise I feel a bit lost even when I pare it back with neutral accessories. Who’s taking me on their boat in this? At this point I’ll settle for an inflatable or even a raft.
V Neck Linen Dress - I have this and it is fantastic. I was chatting in Angharad Jones Best’s chat about With Nothing Underneath’s linen dresses, they really are fantastic and they aren’t that expensive. This dress will be working hard for me this summer - I want to try it with jeans underneath too, bear with me on this…
Paisley Tie Shoulder Dress - I’m gonna try something controversial; I don’t love everything from Doen. Maybe it’s because I have seen through my Victorian-Doll-cum-Trad-Wife era. But ever so often their style is more cool Hamptons chick as opposed to Alabama farm wife. But this dress? It’s love. LOVE. The colours, the ease, the fit. Just get me to Greece. Or Cornwall. Again, I’d play around wearing trousers with this. Maybe my navy satin pants?
I go into a cold sweat whenever I am invited to a black tie event, or anything remotely “cocktail.” I hate it. Don’t invite me, I’ll come to the brunch the day after. But I’ve realised that mainly because I don’t have the outfits that feel like “me.” I actually love a party. I love a dance floor and I love margaritas. Most of all, I love the Ladies Room chit chat. So I am determined to sort this out before I lose friends over my lack of attendance.
Embellished Fringed Maxi Dress - If I were to re-do my wedding, I’d wear this. Look, it goes against everything I’ve said about not liking stand out pieces. I appreciate this. But the shape is simple and the colour is tame. It is beautiful. Should you have the occasion please buy this and treasure it. A future heirloom.
Grey Silk Maxi Dress - Aussie brands get how to do relaxed-cool-cocktail better than most. I love Dissh for this kind of thing. This dress is lovely and more to the point phenomenally easy to wear.
Little Black Cocktail Dress - Oh how I oohed over this when I found it! My word, this would do the test of time and is exactly the classic LBD I am after. Another Australian masterpiece. God, it’s good. Wondering if I can re-RSVP to a party I said no to in July just so I can buy this…
Satin Slip Dress - Much like when Anna Newton found Emma Rose Thatcher’s “Rohe” jacket was actually Zara, I eeked with joy when I saw that this was £45. I have bought the S and the M (because Inditex sizing is true LOLs) and really hope it’s as good as the pictures. The first picture in the carousel I posted below is my inspo. Let’s see.
Long Sleeve LBD - I have this dress and I learned a lesson from it; some brands that don’t suit your taste make really good stuff. I would not touch another product from this brand with a bargepool, it’s giving Gen Z Tiktok. But this dress? Damn, it’s good. I wore it for my 40th birthday dinner and it comes out for all events like it. I challenge you not to feel incredible in it.
Special note for this floral dress if it is your thing - very nearly went back on all aforementioned views on floral midi dresses when I saw this. The shape is excellent!
The office dress conundrum; needs to fit in, but not blend in. It needs to be practical (hello, the tube in July) and can’t be too much of a statement. I am a big fan of neutral colours where the texture or the shape is the interest. Oh and you want to mean business. You aren’t floaty or flirty here. Midi length because any shorter and you might get pulled into HR (even though the Gen Z’s continue to get away with crop tops) - longer and you’ll get it stuck in an escalator…
Two Fabric Pleated Skirt Dress - Annoyingly the photos don’t really show what makes this dress so special; the two tone fabrics. The top is almost like a jersey, so super comfortable and the bottom half is a lighter (polyester but bear with me!) pleated skirt. It’s interesting and it’s intentional but it isn’t too much. Bloody love this brand for their work wear option, they understand our predicaments.
Olive Shirt Dress - I really, really like this. A shirt dress is such a good option, as long as the fabric is taught enough to hold shape. Otherwise they just look a bit dull. The waist tie pulls you in and the skirt detail elongates your shape as well as making the whole thing look a lot more premium.
Boucle Midi Dress - If you think a scuba neckline isn’t for you, I implore you to try it. For me it is one of the most flattering shapes (and I say this as someone really not keen on the upper-silhouette). This dress could be a real workhorse, the slick cut makes it office appropriate but it could absolutely work for weekend/casual stuff too. Impressive.
Two Tone Midi Dress - This is M&S! Which, I don’t quite get the hype as much as everyone else - personally think their trousers fit oddly and the fabrics are often shockingly cheap. However, ever so often whoever looks after Autograph Collection gets it right and this dress is a brilliant example. Want to look chic in the office? This’ll do it.
Black Cinched Waist Shirt Dress - At £39, every home should have one of these. The shape is very flattering for all; flatters (and gives) a waist, bold at the shoulder to balance things out and a slick, volumnous skirt. Absolutely perfect for those days you have nothing to wear to the office, but have plans beyond 6pm.
And that’s a wrap. I appreciate I’ve gone in early with my dress choices, high summer hasn’t dropped yet. So here is an ongoing board of dresses I find and like.
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