The Grown Up School Summer Dress

Which means...??! 

Essentially I mean (and I am making this up as I go along) that dress that you can put on every day without thinking.  The no brainer of a Summer dress.  For the school run, for work, throw on heels and you can wear it out in the evening, Summer BBQ (as opposed to a Winter one... duh), lunch, you name it, you can wear this dress to it. 

And for me - that is the Shirt Dress. 

I feel properly grown up when I wear a shirt dress, especially one that covers my knees (damn you sinky knee caps).

First realised how useful they were last year with my two dream purchases (which I should already be wearing this season but they need ironing.. oh yes, the one fly in the ointment.  Ironing.  But I'm sure most of you aren't as bone idle as I am and probably iron on a much more regular basis..) from & Other Stories. 

Oh and if, like me, you were lucky enough to inherit the shade of skin that glows in the dark, a touch of fake tan is needed too.  

However these only seem like vague irritations as it's not probably warm yet.  As soon as the sun does come out for more than five minutes, it suddenly becomes a must to get your legs out.  A touch of fake tan and a bit of ironing seems very little effort when you can be cool (in the not hot sense, not hip sense) and not wear jeans (or have to wear shorts... the latter being the bigger driver if I'm honest...refer to previous issues with Les Dawson face knees). 

But till then - I am planning on wearing mine with blazers or biker jacket and ankle boots (these being amazing as I don't have to worry about tricky ankle tanning). 

And this is the last bargain that I bought from New York. 

A shirt dress from Anthropologie by Maeve.  I won't be wearing mine with a neckerchief as I look like an escaped air stewardess whenever I try to sport this look.  Shoe wise I was thinking flat gladiator sandals or tan peep toe shoe boots.  I paid a rather respectable $86 as it was on special offer.

They don't have this colourway anymore but they do have a beautiful Summery shade of blue from Anthropologie UK. 

Jemima Shirt Dress by Maeve £118





And speaking of last year and my wonderful dresses from & Other Stories, I had hoped that they might repeat them this season.  Welllllll they have.  But.  But but but (there was bound to be a but wasn't there?), I've tried the one that's out at the moment and it's completely see through.  It doesn't look it from the pics and I am doubting myself as I type as I REALLY want to love it.  But I've tried it on twice and both times have walked away from it (very unlike me).  It's just too... err... nightie.

Ocean Floor Ankle Grazer Dress from & Other Stories £55  Yes it does look gorgeous on her here and yes of course I'm tempted to order it even though I know it looks vile on me.  Gah.  It also says it comes in two colours but there's only one colour online and it's been like that for weeks.  They don't even know in store what the other colour is supposed to be or when it's coming in.  I am watching like a hawk...

If you do want to order it - one other point - unlike most of & Other Stories stuff, this comes up on the normal/large side size wise.



Midi at Topshop and a spotty theme. 

Spot Print Shirt Dress was £46 now £30




Plain navy now at ASOS and a really useful, every day throw on dress. 

ASOS Midi Shirt Dress in rib £30



Love this colour.  Not remotely the colour I would usually wear but I think teamed with gold, or black, or snakeskin or leopardprint, this is actually an incredibly useful neutral shade and perfect for this time of year. 

Just Female Ruchi Midi Dress from ASOS £84




Plain again and classic black at Autograph. 

Waist Tie Shirt Dress from Autograph at M&S £55  AND use MAY16EM for 20% off this weekend.   Off everything (I shall be raiding the beauty section for holiday packing treats).



However when it comes to saving 20%, this is the dress you should be buying as it's a lot for usual M&S.  But it is AMAZING. 

Pure Silk Floral Belted Shirt Dress from Best of British at M&S £149 (pre discount).




Lala Palm Maxi Shirt Dress from French Connection £110



Now I prefer mine to be on the plainer side (for every day that is...except for the floral ones above... oops) but I have to say, my inner Laura Ingalls Wilder is rather loving this one. 

Embroidered Waters Shirt Dress from Anthropologie was £128 now £89.95




Shorter now as I appreciate not everyone has knees like dough balls. 

Semele Floral Shirt Dress from Anthopologie was £118 now £34.95




However when it comes to shirt dresses for bargain prices - look no further than Topshop.  On fire with these.

Palm Print Shirt Dress from Topshop £39 (it does have a cold shoulder hole.. I'm assuming there is one on each side).



More Print in print and khaki - adore this colourway.  

Bamboo Printed Shirtdress from Topshop £39



Oversized Colour Block Shirt Dress from Topshop £39  (I'd probably undo the top buttons personally...) 



Plain now and again - the necktie looks amazing on her - on me? There would be more than a whiff of mechanic.  I'm going to stick to the safety of necklaces...

D-Ring Pocket Shirtdress from Topshop in khaki £39




Collection of stripes now.  Vertical, flattering and very on trend.  I love the idea of teaming these with a clashing print.  Seeing as to my mind, leopard is now a neutral, that would be my starter for ten....  Or floral.  I feel a floral moment coming along soon....

Oversized Stripe Shirt Dress from Topshop £39



And maxi now - LOVE this one.  

ADPT Maxi Shirt Dress £55  Either navy blazer or denim jacket over the top.   Perfection.



ASOS Maxi Shirt Dress with Patch Pocket Detail in Stripe £38



So I am definitely planning on getting the legs out tomorrow.  Thoughts on the shirt dress?  Yay or nay.  I LOVE.  It is genuinely my favourite style of dress.  I find it the most flattering and the most easy to wear - ironing aside....

But today, it was back to jeans.  And a sneak preview of my last (it is honestly the last!) purchase from New York.  An investment for next A/W theoretically but I've already worn it twice this week.  There is something to be said for a cooler May... I get to wear the shearling.  This was, can I please please say, massively reduced compared to the UK price!