All I Have to Say About These High Street Dresses Is “Wow”
Monikh layers her Mango x Simon Miller blue midi dress over the matching trousers.
Willpower is an important skill to nurture, especially when it comes to shopping. Personally, I'm quite good at being selective with most categories of clothing—I tend to hold out until I find the pair of jeans, cotton T-shirt or classic loafers that feel like they were made for me. But when it comes to dresses, try as I may, my cup will never be filled.
And can you blame me? Every season, the array of dresses released by luxury brands and high-street stores is borderline overwhelming. And every one of them is unique from the last. Be it a sweetheart mini or a sleek black maxi, each time a dress catches my eye, my mind fills with potential outfits and hypothetical occasions that only this dress will work for. Yes, it's a problem.
I accepted a long time ago that I can't possibly own all the dressers I fall in love with—storage issues, lack of funds and the environmental impact of excessive buying being just a handful of reasons—but I have found a way to indulge my dress obsession to a reasonable extent.
Jessica styles her & Other Stories crochet maxi dress as a bikini cover-up.
Where I try to invest the bulk of my fashion budget in pieces I know I'll own for the long haul and I'm unlikely to tire of (think 100% cotton basics and vegan leather accessories), I generally stick to high street dresses. This way, I can enjoy a myriad of styles that take my interest without breaking the bank, while paying attention to the quality of the materials and considering whether they'll work in my wardrobe for the foreseeable.
It helps that brands like & Other Stories, H&M and Marks and Spencer all have their finger on the pulse when it comes to trends—as well as offering a wealth of timeless silhouettes each season. And you might be surprised by how expensive looking they are. Don't worry, I'm not going to leave you to sift through the masses of dresses by yourself. I've rounded up 30 below that I think are worthy of your attention. While you scroll through, I'm off to decide which I can justify adding to my wardrobe...
Rachael showcases a butter-colour midi dress with frill detailing from Arket's new collection.
1. & Other Stories
Get ready to see open-knit dresses everywhere this summer.
& Other Stories bring this bestselling shape out every year, and for good reason.
Sometimes simple is the best route, and it means you can have fun with your accessories.
This print is a work of art. Monet's Waterlilies, anyone?
2. Arket
I'm usually hesitant to wear bright colours, but this unique shade instantly caught my eye.
3. Mango
Every warm-weather wardrobe needs an LWD (little white dress).
All our editors are *obsessed* with this designer-looking dress.
4. H&M
Sometimes T-shirt dresses can be a bit shapeless, but this one feels so elevated.
5. Whistles
We consider gingham to be an essential print to have in your wardrobe. It's up there with stripes and polka dots.
I haven't seen many sleeveless denim dresses; this way, I can wear my favourite fabric even when it's warm out.
6. Marks & Spencer
I'm picturing wearing this as I laze about on a sun-soaked Greek island.
M&S has created so many special prints this season.
Bookmark this breezy style for the next heatwave.
Next Up, It's My Job to Find Amazing Shopping Picks—These 9 New Buys Are Too Good to Miss
Bébhinn Campbell is an Edinburgh-based fashion and lifestyle writer and editor. She started her first blog at age 14 and went on to intern at print and digital publications in Berlin and London, including Dazed & Confused and Indie magazine.
A job at a fashion startup took Bébhinn from Ireland to Scotland in 2019, where she now works as a freelance journalist and copywriter covering everything from travel and interiors to styling advice. As a contributor to Who What Wear, Bébhinn always keeps her eyes peeled for emerging trends and looks worth writing about. She prides herself on her ability to cut through the noise and identify solid investment buys, exciting new brands and fresh takes on classic design.
In her spare time, Bébhinn enjoys perusing Edinburgh’s best vintage shops, working through her out-of-control book collection and watching dog reels on Instagram.
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