River Island's 'perfect' £42 dress that's 'giving Odd Muse vibes'

Daily Record

14-05-2025

River Island shoppers are loving the dress on TikTok - with some saying it's "classy" and gives "Odd Muse vibes"
River Island shoppers are wowed by a "classy" dress that looks like one from an upscale label. The retailer, known for its trendy fashion and accessories, might just have a new must-have item in store.
The beloved high street brand is selling the Long Sleeve Square Neck Mini Dress for £42, available in various hues; brown, black, cream polka dot, green, pink, and red. Shoppers can find it in sizes six through 22.
The chic dress boasts a square neck, long sleeves, decorative pockets, and a flattering mini cut. River Island's website advises customers to machine wash the garment at no more than 30°C and to cool iron it, but cautions against dry cleaning.
Shoppers eager for similar styles will find options across other retailers too. Next offers the Friends Like These Black Long Sleeve Square Neck Mini Dress at £36.
PrettyLittleThing is currently running a deal on the Chocolate Structured Woven Boat Neck Shift Dress, retailing at only £17.25, reduced from £32. Meanwhile, New Look has the Black Pocket Detail Mini Dress up for grabs at £27.99, reports the Mirror.
On TikTok, the River Island dress has garnered attention, with user Shileen (@shileen18) showcasing the cream polka dot iteration in a recent video, captioned: "Odd Muse vibes from @riverisland."
Fashion account @thescousestylists also posted footage featuring the dress in black during a River Island visit, with the post reading: "The perfect black dress from @riverisland." Overlaying text on the clip said: "This dress is giving Odd Muse vibes."
In the video, the pair chatted about the dress and their styling ideas, remarking: "This is giving Odd Muse vibes. Oh, it is, yeah."
They also thought it would be a "nice" choice for the races and described it as "classy" and perfect for a night out, further commenting that it's "very Odd Muse." They noted it was "such an elegant and classy dress."
Some customers have turned to the review platform TrustPilot to voice their opinions on River Island, particularly regarding the larger sizes, which could be something to bear in mind when ordering online. One individual mentioned: "Lovely quality but not great sizing."
Another shopper expressed: "The quality of most clothes I've tried on are good... but the sizing is HUGE!! I recently bought some new UK size 6 shorts, skirts, jeans and trousers and they slid down my hips and legs! They wouldn't stay on my hips! The dress was huge on me too! I've had to return most of the order (kept the UK size 4 items)."
The dress resembles the upscale Odd Muse's The Ultimate Muse Split Sleeve Mini Dress. The premium dress retails at £135, while the River Island one is priced at £42.
Both dresses share a similar structured style, complete with long sleeves, ornamental pockets, and defined waists, although the Odd Muse creation features a raised neckline and broader, more flared sleeves than the River Island alternative.
For buyers not wanting to break the bank, choosing the River Island dress represents a potential saving close to £93. River Island's Long Sleeve Square Neck Mini Dress can be purchased online here.