Dresses

One of the most profound references to square-neck dresses in fashion history was in the Renaissance era, with its emphasis on corseted shapes and lustrous materials. Like most fashion trends it has come full circle, albeit less constricted. The modern 2022 equivalent is all about the plunged square neckline that sits just beneath the collar. You’ll now find the square-neck dress in a host of designs, from from shirring to inflated sleeves reminiscent of 80s style dressing to bias fits, Nowadays, the emphasis is on overexposed, quadrate necklines (with big sleeves to boot, more often than not). As if it wasn’t already popular enough, those with their fingers on the fashion pulse are eager to emulate the lavish shapes seen on screen, as a result of the Bridgeton phenomenon. ...

Since the ’70s, the design has had just a few tweaks—including the addition of a supportive inner bodysuit (a little complicated to get on but super flattering when in place, according to our editor-in-chief Hannah Almassi who loves it) and more advanced fabrics, but the core design has remained the same. Now, you can now find the dress in both midi and mini lengths, and in a variety of colours (a whopping 31 to be precise).  As you know, we don’t like to report on a cult item or trend that is having a flash-in-the-pan, most-wanted moment without taking into account the longevity of the piece. But seeing as this dress has well and truly stood the test of time and is only growing in popularity over a year after we first saw it featured on Carrie, we feel pretty confident by now this is...

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a “dress person”. Sure, I dabble in separates and would love to finally overcome my aversion to a jeans-and-nice-top look, but when I’m feeling most like myself I will probably be found wearing a dress. But not just any old dress, mind. I’m very picky about my choices; whether high-street, secondhand, vintage, made-to-order or off-the-rack designer, a lot of thought goes into each and every purchase. That’s why, should you ever be on the lookout for a top-notch frock, it’s always worth coming back for my monthly column, where I edit the best new-in dresses for your ease. So, I’m fussy about the fit, fabric and quality of dresses. I’m also strict about their rewear potential—an...

Summer event season is here with a bang. We’re certainly making up for lost time this year with weddings, birthday bashes and summer occasions like Ascot back in the calendar. The Great Dress Hunt can require serious planning, but there’s one collection that is really helping in this department. Karen Millen is known for its beautiful floral dresses, and this year, it has really excelled with a special collaboration with botanical artist Rui Jiang. She has created spectacular watercolour images inspired by her love for all the flowers in the British countryside. She really studies the colour and form of flowers in detail. She grows violas and roses in her own garden and meticulously examines each bud before picking up the paintbrush. And these dress designs perfectly complement...

There’s something sentimental about linen and its reminiscence of the fleeting summer season. The cross-weave permits the light to penetrate it, yet the density can withhold the most structured of shapes. Suffice to say, it makes a welcome change from the cotton pieces I have hung up in my wardrobe. It’s a wonderful thing when a fabric can be celebrated. The charm is in the netted textile that allows for a whistling zephyr, enabling you to regulate your body temperature. Plus, the rumpling that comes with wear adds a lovely relaxed feel. Aside from linen shirts, I tend to gravitate towards midi and maxi length dresses. I’ve also found it’s an easy way to add colour to my summer wardrobe, as the material disperses natural light, softening the intensity of vibrant hues. The linen dresse...

When it comes to looking polished every single day, no one is quite as proficient as Jessica Skye. An influencer she may be, but she has the fashion clout to match, having held various roles within the industry before she found social media stardom. It’s this intrinsic knowledge and experience that sets Skye apart from her contemporaries (along with her imitable style, of course). With a penchant for pared-back staples and easy-to-wear outfits, all in a gloriously versatile colour palette, Skye creates perennially chic looks that aren’t try-hard—a potent combination we immediately want to re-create. Thankfully, each month, Skye will be sharing her new-season selects exclusively with you, rather pleasingly categorised by product type. You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are lookin...

Pretty, throw-on styles are H&M’s MO, and that just so happens to be my favourite kind of dress too. (Who has time for anything complicated or uncomfortable these days?) So, of course, these six dresses are easy to wear but also incredibly versatile. I tried them all with flat, chunky sandals and my white heeled sandals that I often wear to weddings, and they all worked both dressed-up and -down. And most would fit right in poolside or on a beach but also for city heatwaves. The only thing to note about good H&M dresses is they tend to sell out pretty quickly, so I can’t guarantee that my six top choices below will be around for long. Just in case, I’ve also added a thorough shopping edit below with more of the best styles I’ve spotted in its new-in section lately. Highlights...

I’m a dress girl through and through. I’d say a hefty 70% of my wardrobe consists of them. I went through something of a fit-and-flare stage in my late teens, emulating the garms of Jackie Onassis and Audrey Hepburn after watching far too many reruns of My Fair Lady. Although the obsessive polka-dot era subsided, length and sweeping fabrics are something I’ve welcomed into my 30s uniform. When it comes to dresses, more is definitely more. By that, I mean more fabric, longer lengths and bigger sleeves. The aforementioned elements add to the allure of maxi dresses—not to mention they act as a blank canvas for creative styling, which is always welcome at this time of year when we don’t have as many layers to play with. Just some years ago, the style was reserved for formal occ...

Pretty, throw-on styles are H&M’s M.O. and that just so happens to be my favourite kind of dress too (who has time for anything complicated or uncomfortable these days?!) So, of course, these 6 dresses are easy to wear— and versatile too. I tried them all with flat chunky sandals and my white heeled sandals that I often wear to weddings and they all worked both dressed-up and down. And most would fit right in poolside or on a beach, but also for city heat waves too.  The only thing to note about good H&M dresses is they tend to sell out pretty quickly, so I can’t guarantee that my six top choices below will be around for long. Just in case, I’ve also added a thorough shopping edit below with more of the of the best styles I’ve spotted in their new-in secti...

Roll up, roll up, for the greatest fashion show on earth is about to begin, and you have a front-row seat. Winter is a distant memory, and as we look to a brighter future in 2022—both literally and figuratively—now is the time to turn our collective attention to what I would argue is the most fantastical, most joyful, and most exhilarating garment of them all: the dress.  As a child, I’d play dress-up in the cast-off clothes handed down to me by the women in my family. One day, I embarked on an expedition for something new when I found myself in my aunt’s old bedroom in my grandmother’s house. I knew I shouldn’t be in there, but like Gatsby’s green light, it felt as if something was calling me from beyond. I crossed the threshold and tentatively appr...

I am a spring/summer girl through-and-through. It’s that magical time when we get to rip off the restrictive opaque tights that have been glued to our legs for the last 6 months and finally get to wear our favourite lightweight dresses that have been collecting dust in our wardrobe through what felt like a never-ending winter. Most dresses will work with a pair of tights but its always my favourites (usually lighter boho dresses or more vibrant pieces) that just don’t sit well. From BBQs to weddings there always seems to be buzz and excitement for the months ahead and, of course, more than enough reasons to showcase some of the hottest new-in dresses around. Both myself and Hannah Almassi, Who What Wear UK’s Editor-In-Chief are dress fanatics,...