Find the perfect dress to wear all summer with our top picks from M&S, Boden, Nobody’s Child and more
Now that we’ve ditched the big coats and jumpers, for the most part, it’s time to fill up our wardrobes with chic, breezy pieces for the brighter seasons. With warmer weather finally upon us, the Mirror’s fashion team recently set out on a mission to find the perfect summer dresses.
From flowy milkmaid midis to figure-hugging maxi numbers, our top frocks from the high street will leave you comfortable, cool and looking effortlessly chic. After all, as the temperature rises, it’s always worth being prepared for the heatwaves to come.
We’ve tried on some beautiful dresses to suit all tastes, budgets and styles from M&S, New Look, Boden, White Stuff and Nobody’s Child – with prices starting from £35. Keep reading to find out more.
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Bethan’s pick: Boden Chloe Jersey Midi Dress – £66
The Chloe Jersey Midi Dress from Boden comes in four colours, including black, green, terracotta and blue, and can be adapted for so many occasions, from relaxed brunch dates, to even weddings and holidays.
I picked up the Starboard Blue in a regular fit, and from the first try-on, it was clear this would be a dress I’d rewear over and over. Boden describes it as ‘easy’, and I’d say that’s spot on. With its flattering midi length and A-line silhouette, it’s the kind of dress that does a lot of work for you — comfortable enough for day-to-day wear but simple enough to style up or down depending on the mood.
The 50% cotton blend fabric is great for warmer climes, and while at £66 it’s more expensive than similar dresses on the high street, like M&S’s £35 Jersey Textured V-Neck Midi Column Dress, its quality, cut and wearability help justify the higher price point. Not to mention the fact it has pockets, which gets it yet another thumbs up from me.
I’ve really enjoyed styling this dress, from adding tan accessories for an elevated look, to dressing it down with a baggy t-shirt and trainers. It would team up with cardigans and jumpers on cooler days, and can be worn more formally with heels and a fascinator. That said, some shoppers have suggested the neckline is too low cut for an office setting, in their opinion.
Available in sizes 4-22, it comes in petite and regular, with shoppers loving it so much, they’ve bought it in several colours. One commented: “Fit is wonderful. I am ordering another colour. Great to slip on and wear all day long.”
Cool, comfortable and lightweight, there are few dresses that will work harder in your summer wardrobe than Boden’s Chloe Jersey Midi dress. You can shop the £66 dress in a variety of colours here.
Jada’s pick: New Look Petite Pink Floral Print Milkmaid Midi Dress – £49.99
New Look’s Petite Pink Floral Print Milkmaid Midi Dress, £49.99, is crafted from a blend of viscose, polyamide and elastane. The material is strong but still manages to be lightweight. It feels much sturdier than my other milkmaid dresses, and felt similar to cotton against my skin.
The pretty floral pattern of New Look’s dress, similar to this £35 piece from Debenhams, is simple but got me so many compliments when I first wore it for dinner and drinks. I think the cut-out detailing on the waist and around the base of the dress is a lovely touch.
I will say the square neckline makes it tricky to wear a bra underneath — it can be done but you risk the straps showing. I opted to go braless with this number and found there was a small amount of support from the dress itself.
It suffers the same fate as every other dress with a slightly thicker waist band and it takes a slightly firmer tug to fasten it. I’m between sizes but opted for a 10, my larger size, and found it was easy enough to fasten.
I think this is a great dress for this time of year as it can be easily dressed up or down. Pair with trainers and a light jacket for a spring day out, with sandals for summer sunshine or with a pair of statement pink heels for an evening out.
Lucy’s pick: White Stuff Megan Midi Jersey Dress – £52
Available in sizes 6 – 24 and in petite or regular, the Megan dress from White Stuff comes in five different prints, but it was this pretty coral pattern that caught my eye. It’s a refreshing change from the usual floral prints that dominate spring and summer fashion, yet it still remains timeless and on trend.
My first winning feature is just how comfortable the Megan dress is, made from a mix of organic cotton and tencel modal, it is super-soft to the touch and at 5’5, falls effortlessly into a midi length skirt on me. Pair that with the fact is boasts pockets and it’s an outfit that is so easy to wear.
Styling the Megan dress with sandals and a crossbody bag, I could see myself wearing it on warm summery walks and even into the office. With a spring wedding in my calendar, it’s also simple to dress up with strappy heels and some gold jewellery.
The V-neckline was not an issue for me, however, some reviews state that it is ‘a bit too low’ for their preference. Putting a few buttons onto the bodice of this dress would be a worthy addition, allowing the wearer to choose the fit. Debenhams’ Pink Button Through Viscose Midi Dress is a good example of this.
White Stuff’s Megan Dress typically retails for £65, but has been reduced to £52 as part of the brand’s 20% off sale. The fabric doesn’t crease and it’s lovely and breathable, so I think it’s well worth picking up now while on sale to get your wardrobe sorted for the warmer months.
Lauren’s pick: M&S
I always find spring a surprisingly tricky season to dress for. One minute, the sun’s out; the next, there’s a chill in the air. You want something stylish and spring-ready but not so flimsy that you’re left shivering when the wind picks up.
Thankfully, M&S has dropped a range of gorgeous transitional pieces this season, and one item in particular immediately caught my eye: this ruched mesh bodycon dress in a deep chocolate-brown.
When it arrived, I had a brief moment of panic. It has shoulder pads that aren’t overly obvious in the pictures, and 80s power dressing isn’t for me. But once it was on, they added enough shape to balance out the ruching without feeling bulky.
The fabric is soft, stretchy and genuinely comfortable. I wore it to a work event where I had lots of food and drink (priorities), and it held its shape beautifully without feeling restrictive. And let’s not forget the colour — rich, flattering and bang on-trend.
Another win: the length. It’s short enough to feel summery and playful but still offers a bit of coverage — ideal for those in-between days.
But what really sealed the deal for me was how easy it is to style. I wore mine with a denim jacket, leopard-print flats and a green crossbody bag for a day-to-night look. But swap the denim for a leather jacket and boots; it instantly feels edgier. Take the jacket off completely and it leans dressy enough for dinner and drinks.
So, if you’re after a one-and-done outfit that nails the tricky transitional season, this M&S ruched dress is a seriously good shout — shoulder pads and all.
Eve’s pick: Nobody’s Child Flossie dress – £85
As soon as I spotted Flossie on the Nobody’s Child website, I immediately began compiling a list of accessories, shoes, outfits and events to which I could wear it. For £85, the dress is a bit of an investment piece but the amount of wear I’ll get out of it will more than make up for the spend.Let’s start with the silhouette – thanks to a cinched-in waist and round neckline that has a slight frill, the dress is really flattering and makes me feel so feminine. The swishy A-line skirt is great for those days when you feel a little bloated, as it skims over your tummy and hips.
With a lining, you don’t have to worry about your undies being on show and the sleeveless design will keep you cool in the scorching weather. But with a denim jacket over the top, it’s great for spring. Pair with boots and a blazer for a chic dinner look, or with sandals and some sunnies for a summer day out.The cotton material this dress breathable enough for any heatwaves ahead. My only gripe is that the skirt’s lining sometimes feels a little bulky but that doesn’t ruin the look and gives the illusion of an hourglass. It’s also bra-friendly – which is an important factor.
An absolute winner for summer, Flossie is the versatile piece your wardrobe needs to keep you ready for any occasion.
