#connellschain

The best thing to come out of the BBCs ‘Normal People’, @connellschain aside, was the renewed appreciation of the Classic Summer Dress. Yes, the acting was incredible and yes, the story was told beautifully, but I want to talk about that summer dress. Marianne’s style evolution was wonderful to watch as her character grew to become more confident and self-assured. However, it is during the trip to Tuscany that her classic style reached its pinnacle. Connell and Marianne cycle around town with ice creams in hand and her classic black midi dress is simply divine. 

A summer dress such as this is endlessly versatile. Not only is it elegant but it is also comfortable. Considerably more comfortable than a denim skirt or shorts might I add. Despite years of searching and struggling to find the perfect pair of denim shorts, I always find myself reaching for a loose-fitting, floaty dress in the summer. And when I am two plates of calamari down, this is rarely a decision I regret. Be it calamari in Barcelona or the more likely scenario of fish and chips in Padstow this summer, this kind of dress simply works anywhere. 

Linen in warm weather is perfect and spaghetti straps and an A-line skirt are a tried and tested combination for foolproof summer dressing. Happily, there are approximately a billion variations to choose from to recreate your own Marianne-esque ensemble. I would add, as such a dress is timeless, it is worth spending a little more than usual to ensure you are investing in a look that will last.  

These are my faves:

1. The Rou Dress from Reformation: Perfectly swishy and soft with a scoop neck. £106 [Image from Refromation Website]

2. ASOS DESIGN cami wrap maxi dress: A cheaper option, but still made from an airy cotton and linen blend. £28 [Image from ASOS Website]

3. The Alva Dress from Weekday: A fit that is relaxed as can be makes this the easiest dress to throw on. £45 [Image from Weekday Website]

4. Smocked Silk Midi Dress from &Other Stories: A silky option if you’d prefer something more luxurious than linen. £120 [Image from &Other Stories Website]