I’m a Stylist—These Are the Dress Brands I Actually Wear All the Time

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(Image credit: @emilyjdawes)

Dresses are an integral part of many of our wardrobes and have become an easy outfit solution we reach for on the daily, mostly due to their throw-on nature. Even I, a stylist who used to always gravitate towards trousers and separates, have fully embraced the appeal of dresses; especially right now when temperatures are peaking.

Whether you’re a minimalist who prefers clean lines and a neutral palette or find yourself eager to embrace one of the many, many romantic aesthetics 2023 has brought us—think renaissance-core or tomato-girl summer—rest assured your dress needs are catered for on the market right now. The hard part is knowing where to start your shopping quest.

I always advocate thinking about every pending purchase very carefully and buying the best you can afford. So, I thought I’d round up a selection of the brands I think do dresses really well, both in terms of style and quality. These are the brands that I, with all my shopping experience, actually invest my money in and wear on repeat. And I know for a fact I'm not alone—many of my fellow editors and so many stylish influencers on my social feeds also rely heavily on this small handful of brands. 

Enter Doên, Me+Em, Reformation, Nobody's Child, COS and Faithfull The Brand. From expensive-looking prints to easy-to-wear silhouettes that can work for a multitude of occasions, each of these brands delivers versatile, wearable dresses, mostly under the £300 mark. I fully appreciate that this isn’t an insignificant amount of money to spend on an item but I believe that just one dress from any of the aforementioned labels will stand you in good stead for years to come; especially if you select an item from my edit, which I’ve honed based on timelessness and overall wearability.

Scroll on to see the best dresses under £300, as told by me, your friendly neighbourhood fashion expert. 

1. Dôen

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(Image credit: @styleidealist)

Shop Dôen:

2. Reformation

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(Image credit: @emilyjdawes)

Shop Reformation:

3. Nobody's Child

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(Image credit: @emilyjdawes)

Shop Nobody's Child:

4. Me+Em

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(Image credit: @pennygoldstone)

Shop Me+Em:

5. COS

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(Image credit: @styledbynana)

Shop COS:

6. Faithfull The Brand

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(Image credit: @kimturkington_)

Shop Faithfull The Brand:

Up Next: These 24 Designer Dresses Were Made for Wearing On Holiday In Europe This Summer

Emily Dawes
Affiliate Editor

Emily Dawes is the very definition of a fashion multi hyphenate. An editor, stylist and writer with over eleven years’ worth of experience in the industry, Emily is known for her impeccable taste, elegant outfit choices and being able to spot the next big thing in fashion from a mile off. Our readers loyally trust her advice and shopping suggestions; so much so she began her own column documenting the most expensive-looking pieces on the high street, which has become a top-performing piece of content for the Who What Wear brand.

Emily has worked for Who What Wear UK since 2020 in a myriad as roles, spanning from contributing editor and branded content editor. Now, she holds the position of affiliate editor and is responsible for the brand’s overall affiliate strategy, ideation and content execution. Working closely with Who What Wear UK’s affiliate manager, Emily has been instrumental in securing and nourishing brand partnerships, surpassing her goals as standard. Leading the team in tentpole shopping moments including Black Friday and Peak Trading, with Emily’s guidance and leadership, team Who What Wear is in a stronger affiliate position than ever before.

Prior to joining the Who What Wear team, Emily served as YOU Magazine’s acting fashion editor where she managed the fashion team and oversaw all fashion content output for the fast-paced weekly title. Emily is a stylist in her own right, having worked with a slew of VIP clients including writer and television personality, Elizabeth Day, as well as styling and art directing several celebrity cover shoots for glossy print publication, Grazia. Her adept fashion knowledge means brands regularly sought out to work with her as a consultant: previously she has developed marketing and content plans for brands for Cocoon and Edge of Ember. Before entering the industry, Emily obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English and American Studies with International Study from Nottingham University. Fun fact: Emily spent a year studying in America which saw her join a sorority during her time there.

When she’s not working or tracking down the chicest, new-in items to share with our audience, you’ll find Emily bestowing her East London home with her stylish flair, reading everything from the classics to cowboy romance novels and escaping to the country with husband, baby boy and dog, Roo, whenever she can.

Emily is currently on maternity leave.