If there’s one thing I know, it’s dresses. My wardrobe is full of them, and I wear them 99.9% of the time. I’ve always struggled with casual dressing (long-time Who What Wear readers will have repeatedly read about my ongoing struggle with denim—sorry to be a bore!), so easy, good-looking frocks are my most-trusted fashion staple.
I have affordable dresses that I wear each and every week. I have special, more expensive versions that come out for important occasions or big meetings. I have those in-between, mid-priced options that bridge the gap between casual and fancy days. I own styles that are ultra summery and best for heatwaves and holiday packing, but I’ve also got a fair number of clever, trans-seasonal styles that can work layered up and with tights in winter or with bare legs and sandals during warmer months. I even have dresses that I’ve made at home because I can’t always find the exact colour, shape or fit I’ve been dreaming of. I have some It dresses, I suppose—although, I’m always very careful to buy dresses that really speak to my personal style and that I know I’ll wear even when their cult status has worn off. I may own a lot of frocks, but entry into my wardrobe isn’t easy. I’m a pretty discerning customer who values quality and longevity above all else.
On Hannah: Aje dress layered over a Gant shirt. So who could be better positioned to bring you a very trustworthy edit of the best new-in dresses than a self-confessed frock obsessive with a very picky taste? No one! Here are the loveliest styles I’ve seen this month—all with a winter or party-season vibe.
The formalwear dress brand that just keeps on giving! I’m a big fan of Taller Marmo’s sweeping kaftans, but this fitted style is more suited to my frame and stature. And don’t even get me started on the Big Bird yellow—divine!
So heavenly! This crinkle dress first came out in the summer in an off-white colourway and is now back in a beautiful shade of cornflower blue.
I’m something of a knitted dress superfan, and this one is possibly the best I’ve ever seen. The detail is incredible and yet it’s so versatile—timeless and wearable for every winter to come.
One of our contributors, Lily Russo-Bah tried this on recently and messaged me to say it was “such a Hannah dress”—she is right, it is! The ribbed fabric is quite firm and scupts the body beautifully. A very cool take on a classic LBD, from one of my favourite dress brands.
This knot-front jumper dress appears to now be a classic part of the JW repetoire, and I can completely appreciate why. It’s so laid-back to throw on and yet so utterly “fashion” in its cut.
Okay, okay, it’s not technically a dress. But when you wear these chic ruched brown pieces together, it just looks like a great cut-out midi. A little bit ’90s A-list, a lot like something that’s going into my wardrobe…
If you told me this was from a French bohemian brand, I’d believe you!
When it comes to decorative party dresses that fit like a glove, you simply have to try Needle & Thread. This lovely style comes in lots of different colourways.
I’m imagining this for a night out layered over a white tee and jeans!
Loewe’s summer tube dress was insanely popular, so I expect this to sell out very quickly indeed…
I dream of owning a classic Alessandra Rich dress and nothing is more of a signature for this designer than a polka dot print.
Rixo now go from a size 6-24 across many styles and I’m thrilled about that news! This is the dress I’m eyeing up for AW22.
The colour! Wow! I’d add a chunky waist belt to this to help define my hourglass frame.
I tried on some fabulous Ulla Johnson dresses in the summer and really their fit and feel. So this super-comfy but striking jumper dress has made it onto my list.
A true classic.
This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.
