If you’re like us, you would have been living in breezy maxi dresses for the past few weeks. They’re the ultimate summer staple: lightweight enough to keep you cool on commutes or day trip, yet polished enough to wear to the office or events. As much as we love a summer dress, though, there’s one teeny-tiny little detail that make them ten times better: pockets.
Has anyone ever, in the history of human kind, been disappointed to discover a hidden pocket? Don’t think so. Whether it’s in a pair of jeans, a lightweight jacket or, in this case, a dress, pockets are always a welcome surprise. Of course, we all rely on a handbag to carry daily essentials (read: keys, phone, lipstick, ear phones, office pass), but think about it: all of those things are small enough to fit inside a pocket. So when you’re out grabbing lunch or running an errand, a dress with pockets means you can leave your bag behind.
Better yet, the pockets don’t have to be obvious. Most are neatly tucked into the side seams of A-line skirts, so they’re practically invisible to anyone else. Even with your lipstick or Airpod case neatly tucked inside, you won’t disrupt the shape of the dress.
The only catch? You’d think such a practical design would be available to shop everywhere. Well not so much. As it were, dresses with pockets aren’t easy to come by. But luckily, here’s where good ol’ M&S comes in.
Take a scroll through the M&S site and you’ll come across many styles worth your attention – from easy, everyday midis to more elevated occasion-ready dresses that you’ll wear all summer long.
And PSA, M&S is currently hosting an up to 50% off sale and the discounts are major. Shop here before the virtual shelves are wiped clean:
The best dresses with pockets to shop in 2026
This has to be one of the chicest dresses to come out of M&S. We adore the chic silhouette of the voluminous, pleating skirt (that secretly hides pockets, btw) and the thin spaghetti straps which you can tuck in to create a bandeau neckline. Pair with chunky gold jewellery for a statement look.
Ro&Zo Leopard Print Midi Waisted Dress
Animal print shows no signs of slowing down, so there}s still plenty of time to buy into the trend. This Ro&Zo number (which you can buy at M&S) perfectly nails the look. It’s bold and impactful alone, so you only need some barely-there sandals to style it.
M&S Leopard Print Midi Waisted Dress
This dress was described as ‘useful’ in the comments – and that just about sums it up. It’s a simple black dress that you can reach for no matter the occasion, from pub drinks to the office. The skater silhouette is very flattering too, softly sculpting at the waist before falling into a flowing skirt.
We’re saving this pinstripe midi for all smart-casual events we have in our calendar this summer. Despite the mid-length sleeves, it’s cut from 100% cotton so it will still keep you cool and comfortable in the heat. You can style it for summer with a pair of wedge sandals and slim glasses, or layer with jeans once the temperatures cool.
We ran to this Regatta dress as soon as we saw it. The shirred waist gently cinches in at the waist before falling into a breezy A-line skirt that completely conceals the pockets. As for the stunning coral hue, we think it would look just as gorgeous on holiday as it would at home in a pub garden.
This structured brown midi is the perfect office dress. The mid-length sleeves give it a polished, sophisticated feel, while the cinched waist and hidden pockets keeps things a little more relaxed. Ideal if you’re heading from meetings to after-work drinks.
Clare Stephenson is the Senior Fashion and Beauty E-commerce Writer for Cosmopolitan, ELLE and Harper’s Bazaar. She has been an e-commerce writer since 2022, creating matter-of-fact reviews and shopping pages filled with her favourite products for every budget and need – whether that’s a glow-giving foundation, a high-tech LED face mask or the perfect wear-with-everything blazer.
Alongside writing, Clare loves to be in front of the camera creating shopping content, putting viral products to the test to see which ones are truly worth the hype. Through her work, she has interviewed leading dermatologists, makeup artists and industry experts to bring readers trusted advice and product recommendations.
Clare has contributed to titles across the Hearst UK portfolio, including Women’s Health, Good Housekeeping, Red and Prima. Prior to joining Hearst, she earned a BA in Multimedia Journalism from Bournemouth University, focusing her studies on magazines and editorial. She later worked as an editorial assistant at Voir Fashion Magazine, covering events including Fashion Week and interviewing notable brand founders.
Outside of work? You can find Clare strolling through London’s Columbia Road Market, pouring her fourth coffee of the day or heading to a Pilates class.
Follow Clare on Instagram @clarefrancesstephenson.
