We can’t be the only ones who got very giddy at the first sight of sun in spring and started optimistically dressing for warm weather a little too early this year. Well, maybe we were, but after shivering in vests and putting up with spells of rain in sandals, the one piece that has actually seen us through from the start of the year all the way up to a scorching July has been a great summer dress..

Layered up with cardigans, worn on their own with flip flops, even under a chunky knit in autumn, summer dresses are so versatile that they deserve to be considered a wardrobe staple. Floaty chiffon! Puff sleeved cotton! Slinky slips! There’s nothing and no occasion a great dress can’t do, but with so many options on the market it can be difficult knowing where to invest your hard earned cash.