Unless you've been living under a fashion rock, you'll know that the drop-waist silhouette has been trending for what feels like forever. (Let us be clear, we are *very* happy about this — long live its popularity, we say.)
The spring/summer 2026 runways were littered with dresses that adopted the shape and style, from Balenciaga to Chanel to Dior. Then, it made its way onto the high street for spring, with everyone from Primark to Next dropping their own versions of the design, be it a dress or maxi skirt.
Now we're in summer — and despite the UK's heatwave feeling like a lifetime ago, seriously, where has the sun gone? — drop-waist dresses are continuing to feature in high street releases. The latest brand to drop (sorry, not sorry) a flattering offering is Marks & Spencer. Their square neck midi dress offering is literally the dress of dreams: sophisticated, chic, and timeless. And, even though it looks expensive and could definitely pass as designer, it's on sale for £30. So, no excuses to add to our summer wardrobe. Let's unpack.
The dress is made from pure cotton, meaning it's super breathable and comfortable. Perfect for those mid-August weddings or rooftop cocktail parties. The square neck, sleeveless bodice and slender shoulder straps add an elegant feel, while the dropped waist, scalloped seams and gentle gathers provide the skirt with a subtle volume.
Pure Cotton Square Neck Midi Drop Waist Dress
Pure Cotton Square Neck Midi Drop Waist Dress
If you're looking for ways to style this particular piece, let us be clear: less is most definitely more. The dress is the star of the show here, and it's all about simplicity if you're after that cool girl, classic feel. Like on the model, keep your accessories limited: opt for a pair of statement earrings (silver or gold will look just as stunning, so pick the style you prefer). A pair of sleek sunnies will elevate the look even further, while some simple black sandals will tie the fit together.
Keen to add more drop-waist dresses to your summer lookbook? Keep scrolling for some of our fave picks from other high street stores:
Topshop Topshop linen rich dropped waist full circle hem midi dress in burgundy
Topshop Topshop linen rich dropped waist full circle hem midi dress in burgundy
Sophie Williams is a Freelance Journalist and Copywriter, covering everything from Fashion to Entertainment to music, Lifestyle and Features. She has interviewed a range of musical artists and authors including Alyssa Edwards, Courtney Barnett, Confidence Man, The Vaccines, Loyle Carner, Gabrielle, and John Niven, and has written for publications like Metro, Reader's Digest, ITV's Woo! and Vice’s NBGA. She is also working on a book for HarperCollins about Taylor Swift, due to be published in 2024.
