Summer can be a minefield if, like me, you like to keep things covered, but still want to look chic. Hot days tend to beg for airy pieces, but for me, showing too much skin often means compromising my style and comfort. That’s why I’m always on the hunt for summer dresses that are both modest and effortlessly fashionable, and I spotted one in New Look that ticks all the right boxes.
The green striped puffed-sleeve midi dress balances polished and practicality, and I think it could be dressed up or down. And, to top it off, it’s discounted to £32.39, down from £35.99.
Previous customers have also highly rated it, with a score of 4.1 stars out of a possible five. “Gorgeous dress, but also so comfy and flattering,” wrote one customer in a review.
The square neckline is open without being too bare, and the shirred back should (in theory) offer a more fitted feel on top, without clinging. However, one shopper didn’t like the shirred back design, saying: “The design at the back was very strange, very wide and too exposed.”
The sleeves are gently puffed elbow-length, adding shape without bulk, and the midi hem keeps things demure but summery.
It comes in a summer-worthy fresh green and white stripe (which is my favourite) and in red and black stripes. There’s also a fairly decent size range, from size six through to 22. A shopper said: “True to size, super flattering.”
The dress is made from 70% polyester and 30% recycled polyester, so while it’s not a natural fibre, I imagine it would still be lightweight enough to feel breezy on warm days, especially with the looser skirt. It’s also machine washable, which is a win if you’re living in dresses once the peak summer rolls around. With that said, one customer noted the material felt “a bit sheer”.
And to top it off, it has pockets – something shoppers have listed among their favourite things about the dress. One customer review said: “Order all three of these dresses – they’re the perfect length, I love the material, I love that it has pockets (chef’s kiss).”
Fashion stylist Erica Davies, who has over 282k followers on Instagram, has a great eye for wearable high-street finds and recently shared the same dress on her grid, writing: “Green and white stripes. That’s it, that’s the caption! Dress is @newlook and it also comes in other colours. It’s a lovely spring style – and you could easily dress it up for a wedding or event.”
That idea – that you could dress it up or down – is exactly what makes pieces like this so versatile. Worn with white trainers or sandals, it’s perfect for a picnic; throw on a wedge heel and a blazer and it’s ready for an event.