If there's one thing I know, it's dresses. My wardrobe is full of them, and I wear them 99.9% of the time. I've always struggled with casual dressing (long-time Who What Wear readers will have repeatedly read about my ongoing struggle with denim—sorry to be a bore!), so easy, good-looking frocks are my most-trusted fashion staple.
Throughout my 16-year career as a fashion editor I have gathered quite the collection. There are affordable dresses that I wear each and every week. I have special, more expensive versions that come out for important occasions or big meetings. I have those in-between, mid-priced options that bridge the gap between casual and fancy days. I own styles that are ultra summery and best for heatwaves and holiday packing, but I've also got a fair number of clever, trans-seasonal styles that can work layered up and with tights in winter or with bare legs and sandals during warmer months. I even have dresses that I've made at home because I can't always find the exact colour, shape or fit I've been dreaming of. I have some It dresses, I suppose—although, I'm always very careful to buy dresses that really speak to my personal style and that I know I'll wear even when their cult status has worn off. I may own a lot of frocks, but entry into my wardrobe isn't easy. I'm a pretty discerning customer who values quality and longevity above all else.
On Hannah: Hill House Ophelia Dress (£195)
So who could be better positioned to bring you a very trustworthy edit of the best new-in dresses than a self-confessed frock obsessive with a very picky taste? No one! Now that summer is starting to feel real, here are the loveliest styles I've seen this month.
Shop this month's best new-in dresses:
You may know Hill House Home for their shirred styles, but I'm smitten with this new, more fitted silhouette. This is the same dress I'm wearing (above) but in a different print.
Romantic rose prints are a favourite of mine and this slinky silhouette from Rixo makes the pattern look even more whimsical. Perfect for a wedding guest look but equally good for autumn with an oversized jacket and boots.
If you're looking for an elegant dress that you can literally pull on and go, this Whistles bandeau style is the answer. This will never date.
This Dakota silhouette is a Damson Madder signature. Just when I think they can't come up with another iteration for me to fall in love with along comes this autumn-ready check with burgundy bows!
Dark brown shades are instantly expensive-looking but the gold buckle draping takes this high street piece to the next level. I'd add stacks of bangles and some strappier sandals than the shoes pictured.
This heavenly shade of tomato red really captured my imagination! Not to mention the drop waist and bubble hem tick a lot of additional trend boxes. Simple but effective.
No other brand does leopard print quite like Ganni. The square neckline gives a pretty smocked dress style a little more edge. And yes, I'd like the matching bag.
In my head I'm a Christopher Esber girl!
All of Sleeper's throw-on linen dresses look good every single summer.
Shop last month's best new-in dresses:
She's a total knockout and a true classic. Note that you can't wear a bra with this (unless strapless) but the bodice is lined and fits neatly so you may not need one anyway!
The colour, print and silhouette combined are all so unexpected and that's precisely why I adore this dress!
I'm just as obsessive over nightdresses as I am day dresses, and the new brand If Only If is a great independent one to support.
Bias cut, satin, tomato red and demure in terms of coverage… this slinky number is giving everything I ever needed a dress to give.
If you're looking for a way to make a very grand entrance to a party, wedding, BBQ or any other event in your calendar, this is it.
I own a beautiful Esse Studios dress already and I can safely say they are chic, comfortable and excellent quality.
There are many highlights from Rixo's collab with Ciao Lucia, but this pretty checked number has my heart.
I appreciate that this appears to be a top-and-skirt co-ord, which makes it seem like you've gone to far greater lengths to make an effort! Also, how romantic is this shade of pink?
I'm stealing this find from our fashion editor Remy Farrell—she packed it as part of her honeymoon wardrobe and it looked like the perfect holiday, event or party dress.
I really enjoy a semi-hippy knit dress in the summer, and this one has the crafty, intricate details and bohemian colour palette I appreciate.
The bustier, the drop waist, the raspberry shade… this has everything and more to offer, and has sparked a million copycats already.
Anything that comes in a non-obvious print (ie not a ditsy floral) is a winner for wedding season as it makes you stand out from the crowd. Oh, and a matching neck-scarf is utterly chic.
Rixo's Evie dress goes up to a size 26 and comes in so many different colours and prints—it is universally banging on everyone I've seen wearing it!
How darling is this dress? Brazilian brand Farm Rio does summer like no other brand, and I adore everything about this pretty midi.
Heavenly colour in a slinky, flattering cut? Sign me up for this versatile piece.
She's giving Dolce Vita!
I love Doên dresses, but I can't afford a wardrobe full of them… so this nice little number from M&S will do nicely, thank you.
This timeless dress ticks off so many trends: butter yellow, bias cut, cowl neck, maxi… And it's a delightfully comfortable, slinky little number to wear.
Aligne's denim pieces this season are so unique and yet so classic—this dress is the kind of casual piece I'd get so much wear out of.
I'm slowly but surely growing a mini-collection of Doên dresses, and this grungey lace slip dress is next on the list.
COS do some of the coolest minimal dresses around, and thanks to the drop waist and pleated skirt, this looks more like a designer piece.
I'm still not over the prairie dress trend and this looks like a supremely easy style to throw on.
Mondo Corsini is a new brand that caters to all of my rustic, bohemian fashion whims. It also stocks cool homeware and vintage finds.
I can't help it, I just love the shape and colour of this dress!
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