There's Only One Brand Making Summer Dresses I Want To Wear This Year
Recently, a friend commented on the fact that I always wear dresses. In fact, she said, she's not sure she's ever even seen me in jeans. 'You make so much effort,' she said, as if she were annoyed by this fact. What I didn't say in return is that she's quite wrong: while dresses do make one look as though much effort has been exerted, the truth is that a dress is just an easy ready-made outfit that doesn't require much thought at all. Of course, this does mean that much attention has to be paid in order to find the best kinds of dresses on which you can always rely. But I can safely say I have achieved this – and it's all thanks to Whistles.
I've always loved Whistles but it's recently that the brand has really turned me into something of a shopping addict. This is because its summer 2025 collection is, in my humble opinion, its best yet, full of super-chic pieces to work for every kind of plan. From the best barrel leg jeans I've seen to versatile midi skirts and work-ready tailoring, there are so many great separates that you could build an entire wardrobe from them – and then some. I have to say, though, it's the dresses which have really stolen my heart.
There are shirred sun dresses which are perfect for packing in your suitcase but would look equally great under a light jacket for work, and there are beautiful linen dresses in relaxed silhouettes which will save you from any heatwave. A shift dress with textured detail comes in 2025's most popular shade – butter yellow – and is crying out to be worn with heeled flip-flops and a tan, while the crochet midi will be the piece you most reach for this summer and next. For any summer weddings, try the classic sleeveless dress in the most irresistible shade of plum, or the lime lace style that just needs black strappy sandals and gold jewellery.
In fact, I could really wax lyrical about each and every dress available at Whistles right now, but I won't – you've got shopping to do. 1.
Ivory Cotton Crochet Midi Dress
The dream holiday dress, just throw this on with sandals and you're ready to go. 2.
Butter Deana Textured Detail Dress
This dress will prove to be incredibly versatile: dress up for weddings or simply wear with trainers for sunny afternoons with friends. 3.
Plum Lori Textured Midi Dress
All this needs is summer's most popular shoe – heeled flip-flops – and your favourite jewellery. 4.
Lime Lace Insert Midi Dress
With its lace inserts and a striking lime hue, this dress will make a real impact – without you even having to try. Perfect for balmy holiday evenings or even under an oversized blazer for weddings. 5.
Red Shirred Bodice V Neck Dress
The dream sun dress, this is also available in yellow, as well as a petite version. 6.
Blue Panel Linen Blend Dress
Need a smart dress for work which is also heatwave-friendly? This linen style is just that. 7.
Black Fringe Detail Knitted Dress
Consider this the LBD upgrade you didn't know you needed – until now. With metallic accessories and your best sunglasses, this will make you summer's best dressed. 8.
Cream Floral Crochet Knit Dress
Pictures don't do this dress justice – the delicate crochet detail looks far more expensive than it is, while the soft colour taps into 2025's obsession with butter yellow.
Hannah Banks-Walker is Grazia's head of fashion commerce. She has previously written for the likes of Harper's Bazaar, The Financial Times, Glamour, Stylist, The Telegraph, Red, i-D and The Pool on everything from fashion to curly hair (hi!) to the patriarchy. Not necessarily in that order. Find her on Instagram and Twitter . But please don't look for her MySpace profile, which until now was the last time she wrote about herself in the third person
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Graziadaily
7 days ago
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There's Only One Brand Making Summer Dresses I Want To Wear This Year
Recently, a friend commented on the fact that I always wear dresses. In fact, she said, she's not sure she's ever even seen me in jeans. 'You make so much effort,' she said, as if she were annoyed by this fact. What I didn't say in return is that she's quite wrong: while dresses do make one look as though much effort has been exerted, the truth is that a dress is just an easy ready-made outfit that doesn't require much thought at all. Of course, this does mean that much attention has to be paid in order to find the best kinds of dresses on which you can always rely. But I can safely say I have achieved this – and it's all thanks to Whistles. I've always loved Whistles but it's recently that the brand has really turned me into something of a shopping addict. This is because its summer 2025 collection is, in my humble opinion, its best yet, full of super-chic pieces to work for every kind of plan. From the best barrel leg jeans I've seen to versatile midi skirts and work-ready tailoring, there are so many great separates that you could build an entire wardrobe from them – and then some. I have to say, though, it's the dresses which have really stolen my heart. There are shirred sun dresses which are perfect for packing in your suitcase but would look equally great under a light jacket for work, and there are beautiful linen dresses in relaxed silhouettes which will save you from any heatwave. A shift dress with textured detail comes in 2025's most popular shade – butter yellow – and is crying out to be worn with heeled flip-flops and a tan, while the crochet midi will be the piece you most reach for this summer and next. For any summer weddings, try the classic sleeveless dress in the most irresistible shade of plum, or the lime lace style that just needs black strappy sandals and gold jewellery. In fact, I could really wax lyrical about each and every dress available at Whistles right now, but I won't – you've got shopping to do. 1. Ivory Cotton Crochet Midi Dress The dream holiday dress, just throw this on with sandals and you're ready to go. 2. Butter Deana Textured Detail Dress This dress will prove to be incredibly versatile: dress up for weddings or simply wear with trainers for sunny afternoons with friends. 3. Plum Lori Textured Midi Dress All this needs is summer's most popular shoe – heeled flip-flops – and your favourite jewellery. 4. Lime Lace Insert Midi Dress With its lace inserts and a striking lime hue, this dress will make a real impact – without you even having to try. Perfect for balmy holiday evenings or even under an oversized blazer for weddings. 5. Red Shirred Bodice V Neck Dress The dream sun dress, this is also available in yellow, as well as a petite version. 6. Blue Panel Linen Blend Dress Need a smart dress for work which is also heatwave-friendly? This linen style is just that. 7. Black Fringe Detail Knitted Dress Consider this the LBD upgrade you didn't know you needed – until now. With metallic accessories and your best sunglasses, this will make you summer's best dressed. 8. Cream Floral Crochet Knit Dress Pictures don't do this dress justice – the delicate crochet detail looks far more expensive than it is, while the soft colour taps into 2025's obsession with butter yellow. Hannah Banks-Walker is Grazia's head of fashion commerce. She has previously written for the likes of Harper's Bazaar, The Financial Times, Glamour, Stylist, The Telegraph, Red, i-D and The Pool on everything from fashion to curly hair (hi!) to the patriarchy. Not necessarily in that order. Find her on Instagram and Twitter . But please don't look for her MySpace profile, which until now was the last time she wrote about herself in the third person
The Guardian
06-05-2025
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‘Women designing for women': the new wave dominating UK high street
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The Guardian
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Suede to go: leather's hippy cousin is back for 2025
From blazers to mini-skirts and slouchy shopper bags, we're spoilt for choice in suede on the high street this year. As with most trends worth following, the provenance can be traced back to Prada and Miu Miu, the latter showing neat biker jackets and knee-length skirts styled with shirts (left) or swimsuits for summer: think fitted bodysuit with a sleek suede skirt and a minimal sandal. The suede blazer or short jacket is an incredibly useful wardrobe addition. A blazer adds instant interest to a jeans and a T-shirt look and keeps a mini skirt look modern when worn with a chunky flat sandal or loafer. It's perfect for that in-between April weather. There are a multitude of updated colours aside from classic camel and taupe, look for interesting shades from cognac to olive green. Whistles's western-style overshirt with tassels, crafted in a rich green (£399), works well with summer neutrals and all shades of denim, or go all-in with Zara's khaki co-ord (4, below). Meanwhile, shades of brown and tan marry perfectly with florals. Consider swapping your denim jacket with a suede overshirt, or Mint Velvet's tan classic collar patch pocket jacket (£285) that adds utility spin to a summer dress look. Have fun exploring the vintage suede jacket market. Look for retro details featuring western style, particularly fringing and shearling finishes. Beyond Retro has a great selection of motorcycle jackets and aviator bombers to 70s belted coats, all starting from £65. Lastly, a roomy suede bag is the easiest way to wear the trend: we love Massimo's Dutti's dark green bucket bag (£169) and Sezane's camel Gabin maxi bag (£360) that doubles as a weekend or carry-on bag. 1. Jacket £260, Topshop 2. Bag £195, 3. Jacket £349, Sign up to Fashion Statement Style, with substance: what's really trending this week, a roundup of the best fashion journalism and your wardrobe dilemmas solved after newsletter promotion 4. Jacket £34.99 and shorts £29.99, 5. Skirt £270, 6. Jacket, £225.
