If you’re thinking “a black dress? For summer?” The answer is a resounding yes.
Because the most valuable fashion lesson I learned in last week’s heatwave is exactly that: black dresses are the answer to easy, chic style in the heat.
Sure, a white dress is gorgeous, but try commuting to work in one? No thanks. It’ll get marked or stained before arriving at your destination.
Pure Cotton Square Neck Midi Drop Waist Dress
Pure Cotton Square Neck Midi Drop Waist Dress
A pretty floral dress is dreamy for a thirty-degree day – but is best for floating around a park or at a picnic. For navigating everyday life, school runs, the office, meetings? It doesn’t hit the spot.
Pure Cotton Square Neck Midi Drop Waist Dress
Pure Cotton Square Neck Midi Drop Waist Dress
I realized this after excitedly pulling out my loved holiday favourites for last week’s sweltering temperatures, and trying and then disregarding all of them, until I got to my favourite five-year-old black cotton dress by & Other Stories, which I wore on repeat throughout the week. It looks a lot like this one, released today by Marks & Spencer.
Pure Cotton Square Neck Midi Drop Waist Dress
Pure Cotton Square Neck Midi Drop Waist Dress
With its square neckline, minimal straps, and a loose styled drop waist falling to an airy midi skirt, this dress is easy to pull on, and is effortlessly chic. It's also easy to style: it will look even more elegant with a crochet cardigan thrown over the shoulders, and a black summer dress always pairs well with slip-on cross-over sandals, thong kitten heels and either a raffia bag or summer tote.
Once I’d gone all-in to the usefulness of a black dress for summer, I realised how many other chic women were doing the same. Everywhere I looked on my commute, I saw stylish women in black dresses.
Then I began to look for black summer dresses for you. Obviously a lot have sold out already but today M&S released several in different styles; one with sleeves and pockets at £38, (above) and another in 100% cotton jersey with an asymmetric hem, (below) which I adore, and both are fully available now in sizes 6-18.
Pure Cotton Tie Waist Midi Column Dress
Pure Cotton Tie Waist Midi Column Dress
If you’re not converted to the idea of a black summer dress, try one. As summer begins officially today, you’ll find – if you don’t already have one - the dress you choose will always be ready to deliver summer style.
