I was doing my usual run through London Bridge station the other day, headphones on and dodging tourists outside the station, when something stopped me in my tracks. A flash of indigo and white caught my eye in the window of FatFace’s London Bridge shop and I instinctively slowed down. There it was, .
Now I wasn’t planning to shop. I really wasn’t. In fact, I was running late for a train that I would miss should I wait even a moment longer. But there it was, a beacon of teal in amonst the sea of dark navy and grey suits surrounding me, and I knew I needed to go in to try it on.
The item in question? , £69. You know that feeling when you try something on and it lives up to all of your expectations? That was me in the fitting room ten minutes later. The dress fit like a dream. Soft cotton that feels cool on the skin, flattering without clinging and a silhouette that flatters my waist and skims over my thighs.
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The print is what drew me in at first. It’s inspired by the sea with a deep rich blue that’s striking yet not busy. Up close the Shibori-style pattern is organic and fluid like it was made for beach days and warm nights. And it somehow manages to be bold and calming at the same time.
The shape is the real winner, though., and the cuffed sleeves give it a little structure, which I love. There’s a gentle cinch at the waist that gives you shape without that pulled-in feeling. It just skims in the right places and flares softly as you move. I hate the phrase 'desk to dinner', but this dress really is one you could wear to pretty much any occasion– even a wedding, with the right heels and accessories.
And can we just take a moment for the pockets? Actual functional deep pockets. I don’t know why it’s still so rare, but it feels like a win every time. The dress is 100% cotton too, which is perfect for those sticky summer days when anything synthetic is a no-go. It’s breathable and easy to throw on with sandals, trainers, or even dressed up with a wedge. Though I've only just bought it, I've already worn it to one dinner, one weekend brunch, and I'm about to wear it to a fancy brand event later this week.
Another fashion discovery I made this week that you should have on your radar is Boden's dress that can be worn to any event. The is on the pricier side at £136. However, Boden is currently offering 15% full-price styles with the code PQ4D, bringing the price down to £115.60, more than £20 off the original price.
The dress is made from soft linen and features a shoulder smocking detail to give the sleeves a stylish puff design. And the best part? The tiered skirt features side pockets, so you can forgo your bag (if you want) and go hands-free by popping your essentials like your phone, card holder and keys into the pockets.
