THE WHITE SUMMER DRESS EDIT

white summer dresses and what to wear them with

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Having made it my life’s mission to find The One, I feel more than qualified to pull together my pick of the best when it comes to the white summer dress.

I included cream, off white and natural in my search terms - whatever you call the shade, all six quietly reassure me that there are still plenty of long summer days yet to come.

And if you keep scrolling, you’ll find some suggested pairings and under dress essentials - it’s always the details that count.


WEAR WITH…


AND DON’T FORGET…

…the all important underwear. After searching for eons for the white summer dress that fulfilled every criteria (correct shade, sleeves, flowing, midi or just on the knee, not see through… the list is endless), I had to capitulate on the lining thing. I would wager it’s practically impossible to meet all of that and have the dress with a built in lining too. If you know different, please share! So in the end, I’ve taken to employing two strategies - the first being to invest in a couple of differing length nude under slips, one just above the knee and the other a longer midi length. This way I’m literally covered whatever the length of the dress. M&S do a Cool Comfort range in different lengths and shades of nude and these are the ones I have. If it’s only the lower part of the dress that presents a see-through problem then a half-slip is a good option and isn’t uncomfortable on warmer days.

The second is for those really hot UK days when the thought of another layer, even a cooling heat tech fabric one is just too much… and it involves a bit of F*ck It attitude and some big girl pants… literally. Strangely enough I don’t hesitate to employ this strategy when donning a white dress on a holiday abroad - clearly beach holiday me away from the UK is way more liberal. An unfussy pair of big pants and a minimal detail bra both in nude is what I’m talking about - from a midlife perspective, the pants are best if they’re a pair of up over the tummy, covering the bum cheeks ones. I’m not talking shape wear here - I’m advocating soft comfort like these that reside in my own knicker drawer. And the bra is preferably lace, underwire and seam free - because who wants any of that on a hot summer’s day? We’re definitely talking function over form but it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make for the right dress. And yes… your dress maybe a little see through in certain lights but what’s seen is all tucked away and made pretty much invisible by the nude hue. Maybe not for everyone but I’ve done it and lived to tell the tale…

SHOP UNDERWEAR


 
 
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CONFIDENCE DRESSING FOR A MIDLIFE PERIMENOPAUSAL BODY

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THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF MINIMAL RELAXED + EFFORTLESS