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.
Throughout my 18-year career as a fashion editor, I have gathered quite the collection. There are 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.
Hannah Wears: Hutch Alice Dress (£241)
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!
Hannah wears: Taller Marmo Luna Dress (£1035)
It's been a busy month for summer dresses and event styles coming in thick and fast. I chose a Brat-green Taller Marmo kaftan for the Serpentine Summer Party, plus a monochrome Doen dress and printed Hutch number for Who What Wear UK's Summer House activation. These were my three favourites of the month, but I've got even more options for you below. Enjoy!
Shop this month's best new-in dresses:
The comfiest, chicest, easiest-to-throw-on dress I think I've ever owned. I'm so glad I bought this and wish it came in different colours!
What I love about Taller Marmo's gowns and kaftans is that they are so incredibly dramatic and entrance-making and yet feel like the most relaxed thing to wear at the same time. Timeless and joyful.
You may have seen Hutch's dresses on sites such as Anthropologie or Free People. It's an American brand that makes really classically pretty frocks and more!
There's a reason why this dress is a bestseller—it's just perfect in every way!
St. Clair is a destination for vintage-feel cotton dresses you'll rely upon every single summer.
The silhouette and print of this SIR dress is giving a strong '90s, Rachel Green-inspired vibe. Thanks to the smart cut and laid-back linen fabric, this bridges the gap neatly between holiday or heatwave dress and formal attire.
Halternecks are trending again and I've not seen a dress iteration chicer than this.
I always enjoy a shirt dress with a twist and this one feels really unique with its peplum waist and mini picnic-check weave.
Obsessed with ASOS's new line, Arrange. It's full of really interesting design details and fabrics that look so premium.
Shop last month's best dresses:
I love it when you can take a classic idea—the Breton stripe—and flip it on its head. Not only do the stripes meet in different directions but the drop waist and boatneck make this high-street find a very considered piece of design.
I adore how weighty the linen of this fabric is, so it's not see-through or flimsy like other linen dresses out there on the high street. Additionally, the neck scarf (which it comes with) is so elegant.
The drama! I love anything that feels a bit 1970s but this is practically taking me into a timewarp. Cape-style dresses are having a moment, as is this shade of yellow and boehmian chiffon ruffles, so this one style ticks a lot of boxes.
My version of the Toby dress is white but I like the brown so much I think it's a perfectly reasonable idea to get both... This fits like a dream and I've seen people with baby bumps enjoying that shirred waistline too!
Talking of shirring and comfortable dresses, this multi-way style from Damson Madder is everything I look for in a dress. Those puff sleeves are detachable and this shade of red is an instant mood booster. J'adore.
This shade of green is stunning, as is that neckline. I want to own this—end of story.
If you've been searching for a stunning wedding guest dress, call off the search! This deep-green satin number reminds me of Keira Knightley in Atonement, which has never been a bad reference.
I was disappointed to miss out on this collection of unique motif-printed styles from Kitri last year so you better believe I'm not making the same mistake again.
Well, she's just darling.
I'm a sucker for anything that is leopard print or has a full skirt silhouette, so this is ticking multiple boxes for spring/summer.
The perfect dress for work.
This draped style sold out last year in a shorter-sleeved brown iteration—I expect the same to happen with the new version.
If I had a fancy party, wedding or event to attend, this would be the dress I would invest in.
When a dress marries comfort and a little flair, I'm all in.
The ruched waist, corsage and full skirt make this more than your average polka-dot dress.
I can't stop thinking about this easy, impactful day dress.
Hill House Home's dresses are the most comfortable in the world!
Ferragamo's red hues hit like no other. And the scalloped dropped waist on this design is stunning.
Romantic rose prints are a favourite of mine and this slinky silhouette from Rixo makes the pattern look even more romantic. Perfect for a wedding guest or party look but equally good for winter with a giant coat and knee-high boots.
I saw someone on Instagram looking oh-so-elegant in this caped dress for an evening do and I haven't stopped thinking about it since.
I tried this on during the week (at Rat & Boa's rental lpop-up with Hurr in Selfridges) and suffice to say, it fits like a dream! I'm a size 12 and went for a large.
