I’ve Found My Perfect Summer Dress (and It’s From the High Street)

As a fashion editor, you might assume that I love the thrill of getting dressed, and most of the time, I do. But when summer arrives (hello 29° London!), I’m more concerned with getting out in the sunshine instead of sifting through clothes to come up with an outfit. As we know, dresses are the key to making this process easier, and summer is the season they come into their own. Of course, there are many different styles around of varying length, colour and design, but I recently spotted one of our favourite fashion people, Francesca Saffari, in an easy-to-style and seriously graceful piece that I was convinced was designer. Spoiler alert: It’s from the high street.

Woman on street wears white dress, fisherman sandals and woven bag

Though the weather still seems to be making up its mind, we get a peek of sunshine every few days, and when the hot days finally arrive, the last thing I’m thinking about is tight-fitting pieces. Instead, airy, loose clothes are front and centre of my outfit selections, and this Whistles dress is an obvious choice. With a fitted empire-line bodice that features smocking at the back for added comfort, the dress flows into a full, floaty maxi skirt.

With an understated design, this is a piece that can be pulled out year after year and will bring an edge of refinement to all occasions, from days in the office to dinners on holiday. Whistles is all about clever details, and this one features adjustable straps and pockets, which we all appreciate. Currently, the Anna Dress (£139) comes in a fresh white shade and a seriously chic deep brown hue. The hard part is choosing which colourway to go for.