We have a winner.

And I can't even claim it as my own genius find.  I am stealing from a friend.  Well, not stealing stealing as I bought my own.  But I was totally inspired by her (thank you S!).  

Bumped into her at Bluewater today and she couldn't decide if she should get the black and grey or white and beige version of the below dress.  Well, she went and bought the white one and I trotted after her, beyond impressed with her find (which actually her mum found originally!)

I have found the perfect every day Summer dress.  And and and and, the best bit, it's only £26.

This week is going to be a prime example of NEED A DRESS weather.  Which I don't own.  Oh lord I know I know, I could bang on about this till the cows come home.  And I do.  Apologies but these are so hideously hard to find.  Without spending a squiddly fortune.  Trying to find one that's the right length, the right fabric, sleeveless but with enough coverage to keep one decent - oh i can go on and on.  And still come away empty handed.  

Well call off the dogs.   We've had success.

Here it is - a fabulous linen dress from Next! 

Pocket Linen Blend Dress in grey £26

And here I am in it - this is the Regular length and not the Tall (there is also a Petite as well - could it be any more perfect?!).  For me, I like this length, it's not short short at all - perhaps it could be slightly more drop waisted but I wouldn't really want it any longer, at the mo, it sits a couple of inches above my knee which is perfect.  

Oh and most importantly, I am super flat chested and it works.  My friend who bought it is much better endowed than I am and it works perfectly for her as well.   It's one of those magic dresses.  Simple, classic, understated and made of a lovely fabric (heavy enough to hang well and not be see through but not too heavy that it would be too warm) with gorgeous stitching detail.



Now actually my friend bought it in this colour below and not the grey and black, like I mentioned.

In the white £26  Confession time - I *may* have bought this as well as there was one 10 left and I was going to put it back when the Sales Assistant said, "ooh is that a 10, I thought we'd sold out of all of those, I didn't think we could get any more".  Well.  Is there anything more likely to make you purchase something than being told it's the last one?




And the Indigo £26  Which they didn't have in store.  Which is handy as I honestly love this so much I would probably have bought it. 


And they say these things are like buses - well, I trot off to do school pick up and run into another friend wearing The most stunning dress.  So gorgeous, it was one of those dresses I was convinced she was going to say "oh I got it on holiday in Mexico/Ibiza/it's from a little boutique in Milan", like people usually say when I get round to asking them where something stunning is from. 

She had it on with a little pair of tan ankle boots and oh my god it looked divine.  Honestly it looked so expensive and such amazing quality.  And it's from ASOS!  (I know as I was so excited I dragged down the back of her collar to check - I'm all class)

ASOS Premium Swing Dress with Embroidery £65


Now my friend is pretty diddy so I fear this would be pants flashing on me.  However there is another option which they do in a tall as well. 

ASOS Tall Premium Swing Dress with Embroidery £75




The best thing about both these dresses is that they're not too expensive so you can buy them now, you will get loads of wear out of them immediately (no need to even save for holiday)  I'm not sure if I can justify three of them - I may stick with my two Next bargains (and yes, I know I KNOW I have to do my tally for May which is definitely over and I fear I may just have splurged June as well.  Poo.  However feeling virtuous as I did take the white leather skirt back to Wallis today.  Regardless of many times I tried it on, it was just too big on the hips.  GAH) 

So here is my outfit today.  I cannot tell you how pleased I am with these sandals (if you haven't noticed)  To anyone who has asked, they are THE most comfortable, they're standing up well and I am asked whenever I go out where they're from.  I'm finding it impossible to find a tan pair I like so I may just cave and get these in white as well before they sell out too (black ones totally sold out now)