When it comes to shopping for dresses, there are a few brands I regularly rely upon. I trust Reformation to cater to my fuller bust, & Other Stories to deliver pretty options to suit my budget and Ghost to create the easiest throw-ons to elevate my daily wares. These are a few of the labels I love and make a beeline for whenever I’m looking to up my dress game. However, recently, I’ve found that many of the best dresses I see on social media come from another store: Marks & Spencer.
If you’re an avid Who What Wear UK reader, then you’ll know our editors have a serious soft spot for M&S. From its lingerie to its cashmere, its jeans to its various clothing collections, the high-street hot spot never lets us down when we need a sartorial pick-me-up or a basics refresh. And right now, Marks & Spencer is serving up some of the best dresses for the warm weather that’s currently in the forecast.
On the cusp of a new season, I’m keen to update my dress roster. So naturally, I’ve turned to M&S to try on its best-selling dresses right now. In the interest of being transparent, I’m 5’3″ and a pretty true size 12 with curves and a 32G bust. However, M&S is one of the few high-street stores where 10s are an option for me, so if you too are between sizes, I recommend opting for the smaller. All the dresses you see me in below are a 10 (save for one style which I accidentally grabbed in an 8, but all is not lost).
Now that we’ve got the facts straight, let’s turn our attention to the dresses that truly impressed me. Some tap into my penchant for neutral tones, while others, well, I was surprised at just how much I loved them. Scroll on to read my honest reviews of the best Marks & Spencer dresses to buy now.
Style Notes: This is a dress I’ve had my eye on for a long while. Typically, this is the one I accidentally picked up in an 8 instead of a 10, what I’m about to say still holds true. This dress has restored my faith in knitted dresses. Often, I find knitted dresses are unshapely and unflattering, at least on me, but I love how this midi style holds my curves—the cut is flawless. The ribbing is extremely flattering and really helps to hone the silhouette. I also adore how the kicked-out hemline is mirrored in the delicately fluted cuffs on the sleeve. In a word: Beautiful.
I can’t wait to try this in my correct size.
Style Notes: I’m drawn to anything with embroidery, and so this midi dress was an easy add to my basket. On, I love the tiered skirt—it billows as you walks in the most beautiful way. The embroidered sleeves and tie-necklines are details I appreciate, and are reminiscent of the sort I’d see on creations by Sea New York. Although the fabric is lightweight, I know it’ll wear well with my burgundy knee-high boots and a chunky, cable-knit cardigan once the temperatures drop.
The perfectly positioned waistline on this dress will help hone and create an hourglass silhouette.
Style Notes: This is a dress I almost passed by—sleeveless isn’t my favourite option, but I was keen to find something to pair with this excellent faux leather blazer, which also happens to come from M&S. From the lack of sleeves to the almost-sheer fabrication, there’s no doubt that this is a dress designed with summer in mind, but I think it makes for an easy transitional piece, too.
I preferred styling this dress with black accessories, but tan will work just as well.
Style Notes: I’ve long been on the hunt for the perfect denim dress, and you know what? I think I’ve just found it. Although I used to wear statement collars all the time, it’s something I had begun to gravitate away from over the past couple of seasons. However, slipping this style on reminded me just how charming they can be—particularly when paired with puff sleeves. Ordinarily I’d like my midi dresses to finish a little longer, though I’m happy with how much of my boot it shows off falling closer to the knee. Although many of M&S’s dresses come in petite and tall sizing too, this one, sadly, does not, so if you’re taller than me (remember, I’m 5′ 3″) and want something that’s truly a midi, this might not be the dress for you. However, I definitely think it’s worth trying, as it’s so downright lovely in every other way.
I’m picturing wearing this with cowboy boots.
Style Notes: This M&S dress has been doing the rounds on social media, so I was keen to try it for myself. The material is lovely, lightweight, and just the sort of thing I’d want to wear on a warmer day, though I know it’ll easily loan itself to autumn styling with a denim jacket and hiker boots. Look closely and you’ll see it has a subtle seersucker stripe—enough to add interest and elevate it over other black dresses, without it feeling too summery, as this fabrication is usually synonymous with the warmer months. I’m a big fan of puff sleeves, square necklines and shirred bodices, so this dress really does have a lot going for it. I would have liked the shirring to continue down the waist slightly to give a more fitted appearance, but that might be personal preference, as my waist is the part of my body I like highlighting most. All in all, though, this dress impressed me.
The perfect little black dress that will work for so many occasions.
Style Notes: Well, this is very unlike me. I don’t wear a lot of prints, save from classic florals and Breton stripes, so I was keen to challenge myself to try something new. Bandana prints? I my interest was piqued. I love how sharp the white motif looks set against the navy cotton. Although the shape is more oversize than most of the dresses I currently own, it was a welcome change.
This is a dress that requires little fuss by way of accessories.
Style Notes: Shirt dresses are something I always reach for come autumn, and in a versatile faux leather fabrication, this dress has my name written all over it. I love how it can be dressed up just as easily as it can down—simply swap out my Mary Jane heels for a pair of biker boots or trainers, and you’re good to go. I’ve tried on my fair share of leather dresses, both real and faux—I have to say this has the perfect weight to it and, as such, glides, as opposed to looking restricting.
