The high street shop is full of gorgeous spring looks, including this gingham-style mini dress that is ‘excellent quality’
Fashion fans are racing to Marks & Spencer to snap up a gingham-style smock dress that is ‘perfect for holidays’ as well as work. The Checked Puff Sleeve Mini Smock Dress costs £39.50 from the popular British high-street store and is available in a black and white mix as well as an olive green and white colourway.
Available online in sizes eight to 24 – although sizes may vary in-store, the £39.50 dress is made from a cotton blend and has been designed in a gorgeous smock style, making it effortlessly timeless as well as easy-to-wear. With a bold gingham pattern, the dress, while simple, is a statement in itself and is the perfect garment to simply throw on and go in a rush and look amazing, with minimal effort.
Its puff sleeve and rounded ruched neckline adds drama to the style and its mini length make it great for warmer temperature. It pairs gorgeously with some black sandals, like these from H&M, or worn with tights and boots for colder weather.
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Those who have already snapped up this trending item are praising it for being versatile and appropriate for both work and more casual events.
One fashion lover said: “Dress up or down. Fabulous mini worn with white trousers. Looks amazing and very comfortable. Gutted I could not get the black gingham as all sold!”
Another added: “I loved the colours of this dress and the gingham fabric is great. It is lined, so no problems with visible underwear and it comes to my knee, so a great length. The 3/4 sleeves are very flattering as is the A line shape of the dress. I look forward to having the weather to wear it.”
A third celebrated the fact that this dress is seemingly crease-proof and said: “Lovely easy wear dress. Cannot wait for the warmer weather so I can wear this dress. Perfect for holidays as it doesn’t crease.”
That being said, with it having a relatively loose fit, some shoppers weren’t impressed with the smock style with one likening the fit to a ‘tent’. Others weren’t keen on the cotton-blend material, explaining: “The material is not nice at all, its polyester and cotton blend. The puff sleeves are polyester lined and do not sit right. Soon as I moved my arms I had to redo the lining so it wasn’t showing again. The neck line was very strange and I spent 10 minutes trying to sort it out. Life is too short for this dress!”
Although, many shoppers didn’t mind the material and declared it was ‘excellent quality’ with one saying: “Black and white check is gorgeous I love the swing style and the puff sleeves are lined. Excellent quality.”
If the high neck and balloon arms aren’t quite your bag but you love the smock fit, there are a few alternative options on the high street that may take your fancy. For example, this Esmee Exclusive beach tiered smock mini summer dress in black and white gingham from ASOS has a V-neck and slightly less puffed balloon sleeves that are long rather than short – plus it’s slightly cheaper at £28.
Alternatively, if you’re after more of a midi style smock dress, this pink Kylie gingham dress from Nobody’s Child is super flattering with an elasticated shirred bust and puff sleeves with a smock skirt that falls to your mid calf. While the pink one is priced at £69, there are a number of other colours available in the sale. Get it here.
The Marks & Spencer’s ‘stylish’ gingham dress, see here.
