We've found the perfect M&S summer dress for all occasions – and it's under £30
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The perfect dress has to tick a lot of boxes: it must be affordable, versatile, stylish, comfortable, flattering and have longevity (i.e. something you can wear year after year and feel good in).
And, not surprisingly, Marks & Spencer has pulled it out of the bag and ticked all those boxes yet again with this gorgeous Printed Tie Waist Midi Shirt Dress, £29.50.
M&S designers have a knack for creating stunning, classic pieces that you can style in your own way to give them a unique spin.
This stunning shirt-dress is yet another example of a piece that can be worn in loads of different ways for so many different occasions.
Bravo M&S!
Why we rate it
We love that M&S offers so many of their clothing ranges in different lengths, and this 100% viscose shirt dress is available in sizes 6-24 with regular and longer lengths to choose from.
Not only does it come in forest green, aqua, pale pink and black pattern – a modern take on a floral print – so you can team it with a variety of handbags and shoes, but it'll suit a variety of different skin tones, too.
With splits at the sides, a self-tie belt and a little shirring at the waist at the back, the stylish midi shirt dress gives you a really flattering silhouette. The button-front can be worn as low or high as you like, and the three-quarter length sleeves mean it's great for cooler summer days, or if you work in an office with OTT air-con.
Our style advice? Of course, it looks great as is with strappy black shoes as M&S have styled it.
However, for a more casual look, wear it totally open as a 'shacket' over a white vest top and jeans or shorts. (You can tie the belt loosely at the back).
It'll also look great on the beach as a cover-up – then just pop on a pair of rattan slides with a straw hat/bag for a bar-ready look.
It'll even carry over into the autumn. Simply team it with a black leather jacket and high tops when the weather gets a little chillier. And in winter, wear it with a long black roll neck underneath and tan knee-high boots.
What the reviews say
So far, the Printed Tie Waist Midi Shirt Dress has had resounding five-star recommendations with customers raving about how flattering, affordable, versatile and stylish it is.
"Absolutely gorgeous shape, very flattering. Nice material, would work for office or casual outings."
"Lovely dress, nice pattern and fits nicely. Pretty colours. I love these midi dresses and their price point is unbeatable!"
"Quite honestly the BEST dress ever for summer – I haven’t stopped wearing it. Buttoned up the whole way for work; and open front on a summer's day BBQ. I have a bit of a tummy and it is so flattering, so light and the skirt is really swishy and lovely. I hope they make them in more designs, perfect summer dress for all occasions."
"Beautiful dress, amazing fit, fresh and comfortable!!!!!!"
"The colours are absolutely stunning & the price is amazing. The material doesn’t crease and the style is very flattering to my ‘muffin top’. I’m either a size 14 or 16 at M&S and based on the product description, I originally bought this in a 16 but it was huge, particularly over the back and arms, so I exchanged for a 14 which fits perfectly."
