Ten of the best maxi dresses
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Ten of the best maxi dresses

ByA.F.

Let’s talk maxi dresses; specifically, maxi dresses for dressing up. We’ll be up front – we love maxi dresses for dressing up. We’ve seen casual versions up and down the high street for the last few years but we think their place at cocktail parties, posh dinners and nights out on the town have been seriously down-played. Why? Well we love that it’s effortlessly elegant and demure, without needing to look like a ballgown. It can be tight or lose fitting and there’s a whole lot of fabric for patterns to play with. What’s more, you’ll never fall foul of the “knee-length” rules or have to worry about being under…

Ten of the best white dresses
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Ten of the best white dresses

ByA.F.

As the summer solstice draws to an end, we say goodbye to spring and welcome summer. We’ve had the pinks and the pastels for the spring season but now it’s time to set those tans off with a splash of white. Of course white works for clothes and accessories but we’re going for a classic – the demure white dress. Except it’s less about frou-frou wedding dresses and more about fabulous outfits for the cocktail hour. Here, we’ve picked ten of our favourite party-ready white dresses Metallic lace silk dress from Aidan Mattox Priced at £330. Available from John Lewis Hettie Jacquard dress from Phase Eight Priced at £99. Available…

Ten of the best swimsuits
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Ten of the best swimsuits

ByA.F.

Are you searching for that perfect bikini? Well, we say stop, ditch the two-piece and look at the swimsuit instead. As well as offering a whole lot of support, particularly if you’re planning to get involved with water sports, there’s also a lot more fabric to get fashionable with. Just think of the variations in patterns, cuts and straps. Still not sure? Check out our pick of ten of the best swimsuits – we think they’re enough to prove that the one-piece can be cool too. Floral spot swimsuit from Dickins & Jones Priced at £45. Available from House of Fraser Foulard-print swimsuit from Dolce & Gabbana Priced at £355….

Ten of the best stripy dresses
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Ten of the best stripy dresses

ByA.F.

You know when they tell you never to wear anything with horizontal stripes? Well we’re like, whatever. Stripes can show off patterns and colours beautifully and it’s as classic as they come. After all, it’s not just the pattern of your outfit that shapes your form, it’s also the cut. That’s why stripes can be as flattering as any other pattern – when it’s used the right way. Don’t believe us? We’ve picked ten dresses which we think you’ll simply fall in love with. Tell if you’re not impressed but we say power to the stripe. Coloured stripe linen-blend drop-skirt dress from Paul Smith Priced at £785. Available from Paul…

Ten of the best dresses in pastel
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Ten of the best dresses in pastel

ByA.F.

Ten of the best dresses in pastel Pastel sometimes has the reputation for being the dullest shades and with good reason. They are rarely eye catching colours and easily blend into the background. With summer right round the corner, we can’t help but incline towards though lighter, paler shades. They do help to accentuate the little tan that we can hope to achieve in the British summer. So we’ve searched high and low and, well, what do you know, we’ve found ten pastel dresses that are anything but dull. Draped chiffon dress from Giambattista Valli Priced at £614.25. Available from The Outnet Fabric mix shift dress from Warehouse Priced at…

Ten of the best kimono dresses
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Ten of the best kimono dresses

ByA.F.

The kimono dress is such a strong and distinctive look that it can be hard to pull off. But when you get it right, it’s a real statement outfit and a great talking point at cocktail parties. Luckily, the kimono form has been adapted by numerous designers over the years to create more contemporary styles which just about everyone can wear without the pre-requisite of “that certain look”. Here, we’ve picked ten of our favourite kimono dresses that challenge the perception while still being ultra-wearable. Lucy floral-print silk-blend jersey dress from ISSA A demure outfit for a literary luncheon. Priced at £695. Available from matchesfashion.com Frederica dress from Jovanna A…