nna arvey imeless tyle Seeking a dress for all seasons...
Istarted thinking about dresses on the most beautiful spring day of sunshine and daffodils but finish writing this in the pouring rain with the promise of dropping temperatures.
It is so difficult to decide what to wear to cover all eventualities at this time of year. The dress for all seasons has to be the answer. One you can put on in any weather and not feel inappropriately dressed. It can seem challenging, but there has never been more variety of dresses on the market than this year. Start with a look at Boden, Monsoon, Rixo, Ganni, Reiss, and LK Bennett.
The choice is varied but the challenge is to find dresses that will be warm enough on a chilly day and cool enough when the sun does come out. A sleeve is essential in my view, as is a longer skirt – to cover my pale winter legs if I decide I am brave enough to go without tights. In terms of fabric, jersey is a very good option for in between seasons, either cotton, silky or fine wool, and crepe or georgette (silk or synthetic) which both hang well and are not bulky. Avoid crisp cottons: it’s still a bit early.
Some years back, the most desirable dresses came from YSL and if you are lucky enough to find one in a vintage shop then snap it up, as they never seem to date. Diane von Furstenberg created the historic wrap-dress, which is still attractive and practical today. Diva is famous for the body-conscious dresses that many newscasters wear – again, very simple and extremely versatile. Winser London does excellent dresses of a similar nature. The final shape to mention is the tunic, a great favourite of mine that is forgiving and looks modern on all body shapes.
Cos can usually be relied on to provide a good selection in early spring colours such as navy and dark green, progressing to brighter ones as the season warms up. Toast does very easy shapes, as does Iris and Ink, The Outnet’s own brand. It is also well worth a look. Most of the above can be worn under a jacket, coat or mac. The most difficult is the tunic which needs an easier, wider shape that has no belt to crease the dress around the waist.
If you do choose a longer, softer dress then a simple long mac could be the answer on a chilly day. Over more form-fitting dresses, most coats and jackets work, particularly very fitted ones.
I have found two soft, printed, longer dresses that I hope will serve me through the next few months, one from Zara and the other from & Other Stories.
I also found a good unlined long trench on a sale rail at Cos which works well over both dresses – it’s always worth checking out the sale rails in the shops and online for classic pieces.
Barring yet another freak snowstorm, I should now be prepared for the changeable spring weather.
The choice is varied but the challenge is to find ones that can be warm and cool