If You Want Your Figure to Look Incredible, Buy This Dress

I hope you’re all having a fantastic summer! I’ve just returned from a family holiday, and after spending a fortnight wearing the same swimsuit and throw-on kaftan, I’m very ready to get dressed properly again! The autumn season is coming (and I’m already thinking about which trends I might be tempted by—see our full rundown of the runway’s top trends here), but this month’s newsletter is all about timeless, seasonless, clever investments, from the boring to the extravagant! From the comfiest knickers to the most “wow” dress you’ll ever wear, I hope these personal shopping recommendations provide you with solid purchases you’ll appreciate forever more.

Remember, you can ask me anything about style, and I’ll answer as many questions as I can through this newsletter. Simply submit one through Instagram at @whowhatwear.uk or contact me at @hannahalmassi.

Here's What I'm Obsessed With in August

1. I WON’T SHUT UP ABOUT: Vivienne Westwood's Sunday Dress

Style Notes: I think the idea of clothes being described as “flattering” is somewhat archaic, and that you should just wear what you feel great in. However, if there’s one designer that genuinely does amazing things for the female body, no matter your shape, it’s Vivienne Westwood. My fashion friends all agree that everyone—whether slim or curvy—looks fantastic in a Viv dress, and it’s been the same story for decades.

When I arrived at our most recent supper club at The Nest at Wagtail wearing a Westwood burgundy cotton Sunday Dress, the response was phenomenal, not because of how I looked, but because every person in the industry either owns or wants to own one of these classics, and so many of our guests told me as much. Many cool brides choose Westwood for their wedding day (hey, Charli XCX!), and normally, a perfectly constructed Westwood dress would retail for a lot more than mine (think £1k upwards), but this is a lower-cost style that comes in many colours. Either way, it’s not cheap. That said, I have a little black Westwood I bought in my twenties that still looks just as relevant now. That’s the joy of this particular investment: not only do these dresses make you feel smokin’ hot, they never, ever date.

Shop the Vivienne Westwood Sunday Dress:

2. UNDER THE RADAR: Stripe & Stare Knickers

Style Notes: Let’s get real: knickers are quite literally a pain in the butt. It’s taken me decades to find pairs that are comfortable, soft, work under lots of different garments and don’t fall apart or shrink in the wash after a few cycles. So I think it’s important to share my latest find, because if you, like me, want to have a range of silhouettes that you can rely on, feeling assured that you won’t spend all day needing to pull them out of your crack (sorry, there are no other words!), then listen up. Stripe & Stare not only creates what I think are the world’s comfiest knickers (thanks to the Tencel Micro x Modal fabric, which is scientifically proven to be three times softer than cotton), but it’s also a B-Corp certified, female-founded British brand. Win-win.

Shop Stripe & Stare Knickers:

3. ASK HANNAH ANYTHING (about style)

"How should I style loafers right now?"

Hannah says, "Both readers and Who What Wear team members are wondering how to style flat, closed-toe shoes during this in-between weather. If the forecast is dry, I’d recommend opting for a tan or suede loafer with neutral-coloured tailored trousers; either something long and wide-leg or a loose-fit crop. See influencers Chloe Robertson and Louisa Hatt, who always look smart in their slacks-and-flats combos. If it’s a rainy day, I’d suggest leather loafers worn with ankle socks and a cute skirt (either midi or mini, depending on your preference), which is something the street style set loves to do."

Shop My Favourite Loafers: