With no more summer holidays left on my social calendar (*breaks out tiny violin*) and rain forecast across the UK next week, I’m officially refusing to buy any more summer clothes that won’t work just as hard come autumn. Luckily, that’s proving relatively easy now that the new-season collections are beginning to land across the high street at my favourite shopping destinations.
That said, I’m not getting too far ahead of myself. I’m also imposing a temporary shopping ban on knitwear, jackets and coats. After all, the heatwave may be coming to an end, but there’s still plenty of warm weather ahead before we need to start digging out our winter wardrobes.
Ticking all the right transitional boxes is Marks & Spencer’s Cross Strap Midaxi Column Dress, an affordable and stylish find with all the makings of a year-round wardrobe staple.
First, there’s the colour – a rich chocolate brown that has dominated the fashion sphere for the past 12 months and shows no signs of disappearing anytime soon. Then there’s the silhouette. The cross-back straps give the design enough interest to make it feel special for any late-summer plans, while the fitted bodice and gently flared midi skirt lend themselves perfectly to layering when the temperature drops.
M&S Cross Strap Midaxi Column Dress
If you are lucky enough to be heading away, it pairs perfectly with sandals and a raffia beach bag. For outings closer to home, stick to simple sandals and your go-to leather cross-body or shoulder bag. Then, when autumn does finally arrive, throw a chunky knit jumper over the top.
Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
