With the first of summer’s heatwaves on the horizon next weekend, it’s time to plan how to dress in the chicest way possible while staying cool.
If, like me, you’re looking for a new summer dress and are curious about the shape to know now, your search is over. Because this scoop-neck skater style is it.
It works because it combines the clean modernity of a sleek tank top with the ease and elegance of a swishy midi skirt, making it as stylish as it is supremely easy to wear.
Scoop Neck Pleated Midi Drop Waist Dress
Scoop Neck Pleated Midi Drop Waist Dress
Of course, Marks and Spencer’s design team are all over this trending dress shape, which channels the nostalgia for pared-back and timeless styles inspired by 90s era Carolyn Bessette Kennedy.
This simplicity makes it very easy to accessorize too. This dress will work like a dream with elegant flat sandals, and one of the many luxurious looking yet affordable raffia tote bags we’ve spotted for summer.
Linen Rich Lace Insert Strappy Midi Shift Dress
Linen Rich Lace Insert Strappy Midi Shift Dress
Their newly released version in mango orange viscose is the most structured take on the scoop-neck skater dress style, and this one comes with wide straps, a side zip and deep pockets. The pleats from the drop waist fall into a full skirt, allowing for exactly the sort of swish that makes hot-weather dressing feel far more glamorous than it usually does.
Linen Rich Lace Insert Strappy Midi Shift Dress
Linen Rich Lace Insert Strappy Midi Shift Dress
This isn’t M&S’s only scoop-neck skater dress style either, like I said, they've gone all in. Their other failsafe heatwave hero is a relaxed linen-blend midi dress trimmed with cotton lace at the neckline, which comes in blue or pink-toned stripes. Their lightest take on the shape comes in a floaty linen blend with slender straps in midnight blue and deep red.
Linen Rich Round Neck Strappy Midi Swing Dress
Linen Rich Round Neck Strappy Midi Swing Dress
For something more occasion ready, their Autograph range has a chic version in pale yellow linen and Lyocell lined in 100% cotton.
Oh, and don’t let the lack of sleeves put you off. Each of these dresses are cut to flatter sizes 6 to 24, but if you are self-conscious about your arms, simply layer it with one of the great airy crochet or pointelle knit cardigans around now. Throwing one of these over your shoulders will make this dress look more stylish, not less.
