by Let’s not do it, but it looks like we’ve emerged unscathed from the fifth winter of spring 2024. So, I can present this season’s most serviceable new crop tops – ones that should to work as well for the office as a party and even for the office. beach, with a little accessory elevation. There has been a lot of fashion talk recently about trousers littering a wardrobe full of frocks. But I am here to reassure; And, yes, separates and suits are riding their own wave, those of us who find the thought of a pair of thongs mildly horrifying are fully catered for. Versatility is key to any aspiring wardrobe and dresses are a great piece to get as much wear out as possible. If you can’t think of at least three ways to wear something and five ways to wear it, don’t add it to the basket.
Heavy flowers
The death of the flower suit is like most clickbait: only a small diversion at least. Dame Anna Wintour’s Monday night party in New York was a floratopia of garden-inspired looks, and Net-a-porter reports a 127 percent increase in searches for floral dresses over the past three months. There are still heaps of shirred, ditsy floral printed dresses in the shops, and probably in your wardrobe. If you’re looking for an update, I can point you in the direction of bold florals. More elaborate, more powerful and much smaller than the ones that have been leading for the past few summers.
The Sister Jane mini is great and DÔEN also has a flirty mini floral variation (£245, Net-a-porter.com) – the short feels a lot less mumfluencer-y. Meanwhile, a ruffled number & Other Stories is bringing the most notable guest. I like the idea of making the look stand out – accessories with a hard edge, a hefty hiking sandal or a gladiator instead of a white trainer (please). Consider a power player other than Trad Wife if you’re not sure. More Bond Street than a barn dance, etc.
The cool knock
Knit and crochet dresses are making their way up the trend ranks – and perfect to follow into a more streamlined silhouette if flounce isn’t your thing. At Net-a-porter, searches for crochet (ric) knitwear are up 33 per cent, while John Lewis reports a 27.5 per cent increase in sales over the past week. Adopting a neutral hue makes it a super versatile piece.
I love the idea of wearing it over trousers for work and then on its own when it’s warmer (crochet dress, £65, johnlewis.com). The Reneka Sezane dress (£190, sezane.com) comes in ivory with a pretty floral stripe and has a romantic edge; Jules Maxi Mother of Pearl comes with a cool tasselled edge (£350, motherofpearl.co.uk); and the really cool Jigsaw knitted Ikat dress with a red crochet flower. Ideal for work with a black blazer, and sexy in the evening on holiday.
Denim all day
I love denim dresses and I’m glad they’re having a hot moment (ideally more). Aligne – the up-and-coming independent brand well worth your time – has done something special to the category (they all come with pockets too). I live in Gabriella’s easy midi style, which now comes in short and sleeveless versions.
I’m also into Cora mini, which you could easily wear with trousers or jeans as a tunic when it’s colder, and Rosa pinstripe style pinafore, too (£125, aligne.co). If you want more structure, the chic Ganni button has a great edge. Fans will slip into Hush’s Saskia maxi (£99, hush.co.uk), which would be cute over a T-shirt for a total nineties refresh.
The new boho
Keep on your Sienna Miller mood board, thanks to Chemena Kamali, the new creative director of Chloé’s sparkling, floaty, balloon sleeve, Seventies-harbor-close to boho back. For next season, Net-a-Porter bought 20 of her runway looks, mostly dresses (take that, slick suits). For a preview of that, and for much lower prices, check out Faune. It’s a nightwear label that’s way too good for bed (bear with me). His beautiful pieces inspired by vintage French and English Victorian evenings are intended for every occasion. I wore her Camelia style everywhere from the beach to the super hot Paris Fashion Week last year, and I was desperate to get back into it.
Also see Jo Loeffler Randall’s cream puff-sleeve dress (about £300, loefflerrandall.com) and & Other Stories which has this amazing ruffle flouncer. In terms of sheer fabric accuracy, Me+Em is doing well with cheesecloth – I love the large daisy print.
The SBD (summer black dress)
Black for summer is the understated flex style that often gets lost in jazzy magazines full of brash, brightly colored options. Ahem. Some of us are more than happy to melt into the scenery rather than watching the Chelsea Flower Show display. I want to look out for interesting details to overcome the boring – see the asymmetrical Whistles one here, and the Ischia style, popular at DÔEN, continues into the boho trend with a light touch.
There are also endless iterations of tank dresses around, which are an easy weekend win with a denim jacket or chore (Norma Kamali is a specialist here). If you want something less clingy, Albaray has a great linen drop waist style (£99, albaray.co.uk).
Excellent shirts
For instant polish, a shirt dress gets you a long way. Warning: you may need to iron. Cefinn’s utility linen Lyra dress, which comes in navy, khaki and cream, is one of those great serviceable pieces that will give you endless wear (Lyra maxi linen dress, £375, cefinn.com).
While for those who like slim and louche, Arket has come up with a great oversized maxi shirt dress – in a pretty pop of pink and blue – that I think you could put on now and not take off until October. See also Toteme’s black and white striped tunic (£530, toteme-studio.com); or for something altogether more joyful, Alemais’s yellow flower is the sky. Two trends in one? Bingo.
