As a fashion editor, one of my talents is being able to whip up wardrobe recommendations whenever my friends or family need them. They often joke that my brain is like an encyclopedia of everything that’s available to buy right now— and I can’t argue with them. All the scrolling and daily research we do writing for Who What Wear means I’m well placed to answer most of their queries. Especially if they’re looking for a specific item— it’s highly likely I can reel off the places that are doing it best with only a few moments thought.
As you can imagine, one of the things I get asked about most regularly is dresses. Whether it’s an office-appropriate style, a party dress, a wedding-guest dress or even a bridesmaid dress. And, surprisingly, the one destination I tend to recommend most isn’t a crazy high end designer— it’s & Other Stories. Mainly because they do brilliant quality pieces that tend to look a lot more expensive than their high street prices. Plus, they always seem to have the most versatile dresses that can work for everything from weekends to work and weddings.
And since dress season is fast approaching, I thought I’d preempt all my friends’, family’s and colleagues’ enquiries and pop into & Other Stories to road-test all of their best dresses in store and report back. I tried on about 15 dresses (yes, it did get sweaty and there was one point I thought I may be stuck in a dress forever, but let’s not go there) and the seven below were the styles that really blew me away. Using my industry expertise, I’m also predicting these will be some of the brand’s most popular styles this summer, which usually means they’re likely to sell out before it even gets warm enough to wear them.
There’s a few really easy, throw-on styles you could rely on every day of summer and there’s some sassier styles that can easily be dressed up or down depending on the summer occasions on the cards— from bank holiday BBQs to picnics, hen-dos and weddings. For reference, I’m 5’2” and usually a 10 so I tried all of them on in this size to gauge whether it’s best to size up or down and I’ve noted this where relevant below. Keep scrolling to see and shop my favourites…
Obsessed is an understatement. I felt like a real life version of the emoji woman in this dress and let me tell you, that’s no bad thing. Cute, sassy, confident, comfortable all come to mind. I loved the less restrictive shirred waist and pretty lace-up neckline which also means you can adjust it to fit exactly how you like it. P.S. it comes in a pink floral too.
This was quite bold for me as I usually steer clear of prints that aren’t timeless florals in summer— but this baby took me by surprise as one of my favourite dresses of the day. The fit (true to size) and shape were extremely flattering thanks to the shirred stretchy panel at the back and wrap skirt detailing. It felt fancy but was extremely comfy so you can bet it came home with me to wear to all the weddings I have this year.
Anyone else transfixed by this print?
Call me old-fashioned (or just plain old) but I’ve been avoiding the cut-out trend like the plague for a while now thinking I probably couldn’t pull it off. That was, until I tried this dress. Not only is the joyful shade instantly smile-inducing, the cut outs showed just the right amount of skin for it to still be really flattering. I’d suggest taking your usual size in this one, or even to size down if you’ve got a smaller waist.
This is so floaty but could definitely work for a wedding-guest option with heels.
Okay I admit it— I’m a sucker for a simple black dress. What can I say? I’m a minimalist at heart and this easy style with pretty details called to me from across the shop floor. I loved the throw-on shape, and the bows on the arms and lace up back kept it from being boring. It’s not one you can easily wear a bra with but the front is fully opaque which makes it feel more comfortable going braless. Unfortunately the black doesn’t seem to be online yet, but there is a gorgeous beige and floral version on there. Every cloud…
I told you the party was at the back.
This is such an easy winner.
I’m calling it— this is going to be & Other Stories’ dress of the season. Linen, puff-sleeved and floral— what’s not to love? Actually, there is one thing to be wary of with this dress and that’s the sizing— the skirt, particularly the tummy and hips area does come up quite snug as it’s a stiffer fabric than the silkier dress on this list. I would definitely recommend sizing up once or twice if you’re slightly hippier like me. But once you’ve found your perfect fit, you’ve got a beautiful dress with cute puff-sleeves and ruching in all the right places that works for weddings, picnics, pub-gardens, bank holiday BBQs and everything in between. It even comes in a creamy white linen and sassy red too.
If an English country garden were a dress…
How dreamy is the white version?
Give me a white dress in summer and I’m happy. Personally, I’m a big fan of any throw-on style as well so this ticked all my boxes. The waist ties are adjustable which makes finding the right size a lot easier, and gives you the option to wear it in two different silhouettes— loose or nipped in at the waist. Perfect with a chunky sandal and basket bag— I think you’ll agree.
I love it styled with heels here too.
Maxi dresses are back for 2022 in a big way and so, despite only being a petite 5’2″, I thought I’d try out the trend with this pretty puff-sleeved style. Classic, easy to wear, timeless— I can imagine pulling this dress out again and again each ear, every time I don’t know what to wear. And those pieces are like wardrobe golddust in my opinion. I would actually size down in this one personally as it’s got an elasticated waist and was quite roomy.
This would be flattering on so many body shapes I think.
This is a similar shape to the white dress above.
I didn’t get to try this but I love the easy shape and pretty sleeves.
Hello, statement dress! This wasn’t in the store I popped into sadly but I have a feeling it will be super popular this summer.
This is such a pretty, easy dress— just size up one or two sizes if you’re bigger in the hip or tummy area. It’s fully lined too.
Another dress I’d try the cut-out trend for.
My minimalist heart is beating for this dress.
I’ve lost count of the times I’ve recommended this versatile dress to anyone who’ll listen. I love how it enhances curves in all the right places.
You can’t go wrong with a wrap dress.
This back-detailing is so pretty.
I love a flippy mini, and luckily they’re set to be everywhere this summer.
This dress is so angelic, I can’t get over it. Is it weird that I want to wear it with cowboy boots?
Up Next: The 12 Best-Selling Dresses That Have Our Seal of Approval This Summer
