Summer Basic: The White Dress

Back in March I purchased a white Summer dress, dreaming as I was of Summer holidays at the time. After much browsing I found a gorgeous cotton crochet trim number at the ever brilliant Asos. I've not yet had the chance to wear it, the weather being so unpredictable and chilly but it is waiting patiently in my wardrobe for my Summer trip to Italy and maybe one or two warm sunny English Summer days/evenings (fingers crossed! ).
 I am now thinking that I may need more than one white dress in my capsule holiday wardrobe... fancy seeing an Edit of what's out there? Me too, come along with me...



Before beginning our Edit, I just need to share with you the selection criteria I used, being the fussy shopper that I am:
 I have been careful to select only cotton (85% or more) pieces ,
with short or long sleeves (sleeveless options are out for this 40-something gym dodger! and cap sleeves are so unflattering on an untoned arm),
 a hemline no shorter than just above the knee,
plus, a loose-ish fit for comfort in the Summer heat (a girl can dream!).

Glamorous Swing Dress with Crochet Trim £39.99 shop here

This is the dress I bought way back in March when the promise of June and Summer was keeping our spirits high up here in Manchester.  June has arrived but Summer hasn't yet, however I do still have this dress -  it is cotton, sits just above my knee and has pretty crochet detail to sleeves and hem with embroidery detail too.  It will be perfect as a holiday dress for both day and evening - just be warned the fabric is a little see through so if you're a little shy, it would be best worn with a nude slip such as this one from John Lewis.

Clockwise from Top Left:
ZARA Embroidered Dress £39.99 available here
SEE by CHLOE Chloesque Dress £345 available here
WHISTLES patchwork Broderie Dress £120 available here
MARKS & SPENCER Pure Cotton Cutwork Dress £49.50 available here

Sadly my budget doesn't stretch to a Chloe dress, as seen above right, but the three alternatives shown will give you a similar look for much less..

Left to Right:
Summer Wave Embroidery Dress by Jovonna £60 available here
ASOS Crochet Off Shoulder Dress £42 available here

I couldn't resist including these two pretty dresses (above) with their fabulous crochet detail.  Both would be perfect for a holiday dress, although the ASOS one may be a little too revealing for me to wear anywhere other than foreign climes!

Left to Right:
TOP SHOP Summer of Love Maxi Dress £68 coming soon here
MARKS & SPENCER Lulu Kennedy A Line Gypsy Dress £55 available here

These two floaty dresses are perfect for a Summer Boho look. The TopShop dress is not yet available but I have been assured it soon will be, although it does remind me a little of Miss Havisham.. The M&S Gypsy Dress is waiting for me at my local store for pick-up so this may be the new addition to my Summer wardrobe...

Have you found your perfect little white dress amongst these or have you found yours already?

I'd love to hear about it!

Have a great week,

Sue