This is one of my favourite summer looks. The white dress and denim jacket. A super easy combo that can take you anywhere. Yes, I know we all have white ‘issues’, it’s no good for ketchup spillages at a barbecue, you can’t go near a flake and red wine is to be drunk at your own risk. BUT it looks good, especially with a tan. fake or real. Talking of fake tans, I’ve got two I can recommend. Both of which I bought on the advice of my tanning expert friend Kat. For face, I like the Charlotte Tillbury Overnight Bronze and Glow Mask, you can built up gradually, an it looks very natural. For body I’m now using the Clarins Radiance Tan Drops, you just add a few drops to your body moisturiser, so you can control how dark you want to go. again, very natural, doesn’t smell like dog biscuits and NO streaks!
But back to the white dresses, ideally with some kind of feature, buttons, tiers, ties, spot of lace, all good. I’m being selfish again here and only picking out midi length with sleeves, as that’s my preference these days when it comes to dresses. I don’t mind my knees too much but I can’t do a bare shoulder in public due to my bad 90’s tattoos. Yes, I could get them removed or covered, but I’m not a fan of a vest top really and despite the ridiculousness of impetuous tribal tattoos, they do stand as a reminder of my miss-spent youth and, you know what? It was fun! I don’t want to forget I was once wild and did stupid things. These days I like to be in bed by 10pm and the strongest drugs I’m taking are the odd Neurofen plus…
White dresses go hand in hand with a denim jacket. Denim jackets should go in my Wardrobe Staple category, but for today I’m just focusing on their perfect pairing with a white summer dress. My rule for a denim jacket is simply, don’t mess with the classic. Keep it simple, two front pockets, 2 side pockets, no embellishment please. We don’t need any of that around here thank you. So, without further ado, let’s get on with my picks for this week…
THE & OTHER STORIES WHITE DRESS
Every year & Other Stories bring out at least one white summer dress that I love. I’m still wearing my ‘milk maid’ one from last year, which is very similar, so I can’t really justify this version (famous last words), but LOOK! it has PALM TREES on it! I always tend to size up with dresses from & Other Stories, but I did try this one on and I would go your regular size in this as it’s supposed to be more fitted.
1. & Other Stories Palm Embroidered Scallop Dress
2. Cos Cropped Denim Jacket
3. Castaner Yellow Wedge Espadrilles
4. Edit 58 Woven Basket Bag
5. Top Shop Embroidered Sandals
THE PATTERNED WHITE DRESS
God bless The Outnet, a place where you can find gems like this M.I.H silk dress for half price! Looks like it could need a slip under it, but that’s fine. Everyone should own a slip for such things. Get yours from M&S here. I love a long sleeve airy summer dress worn with Birkenstocks. My white Birks are practically falling apart now. Last year I broke free and went for a pale blue suede pair, but I still always come back to the white ones. Don’t care if they are not the most flattering shoe, they are so comfortable for summer and I won’t give them up!
1. The Outnet M.I.H. Erika Floral Silk Dress
2. Mango Net Tote Bag
3. Top Shop Oversized Denim Jacket
4. Cos Leather Strap Sandals
5. Birkenstock Arizona Two Strap Sandals
THE WHITE DRESS & TAN SANDALS
Of course tan goes with white as much as denim does, so here’s the M&S take on the white dress with sleeves, paired with tan leather sandals. Mango does great denim jackets. I still love my ‘Bowie’ one I got in the sale there 2 summers ago. Classic design and in a few shades of denim too. This one below is the same jacket but sans the Bowie logo on the back. Also, how cute is this little Top Shop Basket bag? it’s like a teeny tiny picnic hamper. Would be great for holidays, or UK days when there is zero rain forecast
1. M&S Seersucker White Midi Dress
2. Mango Light Denim Jacket
3. Top Shop Shelly Basket Bag
4. Joseph Leather Santorini Sandals
5. Boden Ruth Sandals
THE ZARA WHITE LINEN DRESS
This Zara number is MY white dress purchase for this summer. I sized up as I like them loose. It’s light yet not see-through at all. Made of linen, so may crease, but will be cool on hot days. Love it with these M&S sandals that come in 4 different colours. Also, what I love about shoes from there is that they come in half sizes. So few shops do that these days.
1. Zara White Midi Dress with Buttons
2. Monica Vinader Siren Cuff
3. & Other Stories Cropped Denim Jacket
4. Marks and Spencer Flat Leather Sandals
5. Mango Wicker Coffer Bag
THE EXPENSIVE WHITE DRESS
I was only going to have four looks this week, but I couldn’t help but throw this dress in again as I do love it so. I’m waiting patiently to see if it will go on sale soon. I see a lot of the sales have already started so I’m watching like a hawk for a decent discount on this one. If you see one, Please let me know! This is my high-end set, paired with Gucci and Golden Goose. Is is wrong to also want this belt in brown? I have it in black, bought 2 years ago and I think it is the hardest working thing in my wardrobe. Cost per wear is probably around 20p now!
1. Isabel Marant Etoile ‘Vealy’ Dress
2. A.P.C. Cherry Dark Denim Jacket
3. Gucci Small Double G Belt
4. Gucci GG Supreme Mini Bag
5. Golden Goose Leopard Print Star Sneakers
Enjoy your Bank Holiday weekend. I hope we get enough sun to actually wear a white dress and sandals! Which one is your favourite?
K x
