Anointing the dress of the summer is by no means an easy task, nor one I take lightly as a fashion writer. However, after weeks of heatwave dressing, it’s become apparent that the must-have style this season is none other than Réalisation Par’s best-selling Cora dress.

The balmy label specialises in slinky, silk dresses rendered in magnetic prints and delicate cuts, from the ethereal rosette dress seen on Olivia Dean during her Italian sojourn to Sicily to the beloved sun-spotted halterneck mini owned by Lila Moss and Olivia Rodrigo. Still, for a brand that produces endless covetable creations, the Cora dress has reached new levels of fervour, piquing the interest of countless tastemakers and trend setters, including Camille Rowe and Apple Martin.

An image of Who What Wear fashion writer Ava Gilchrist wearing the Realisation Par Cora dress in Mirage. She is usually a size 10 and is wearing it in a M.

Launched back in March, the style originally launched to incredibly high demand, selling out within a few days of its release. Now, after a waitlist of close to 5,000 people and constant calls for a restock, it’s once again available to purchase. Naturally, as an inquisitive fashion writer who both adores this brand and is always documenting fashion trends to note, I was eager to try the dress for myself. Needless excitement it was not, with the commotion and praise over the piece instantly vindicated from the second I tried it on.

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For reference, the dress is a bias-cut shape that gently drapes along the body. It’s cut close to the figure to accentuate every curve, from the plunging cowl neckline that can either be worn to gracefully expose the décolletage or hang asymmetrically off one shoulder. The bottom half of the dress is equally notable, too. Inspired by handkerchief skirts from the ‘90s, it’s pieced together with georgette panelling that draws the eyeline down the body. The style is semi-sheer, but it does come with a built-in slip that adds coverage where it’s needed, leaving the rest of the fabric light, airy and full of movement whilst ensuring you don’t feel exposed. I found the dress to be true to size, as I’m typically a size 10 and felt that the medium fit me perfectly.

An image of the Realisation Par Cora dress hanging up in the brand's Belgravia boutique before fashion writer Ava Gilchrist tried it on.

However, the most appealing part of the dress is the print. Horizontal stripes are one of the most coveted motifs this season, and this dress delivers the trend in a way that feels sun-kissed and radiant. This is not only due to the fact that the colour palette is bright and blissful, but also that the pattern itself feels like washes of watercolour paint splashed across the body.

After trying it on in Réalisation Par’s Belgravia store, I was instantly enamoured with the style, knowing I’d immediately have to take it home with me. Since then, I’ve had no struggles in styling it or finding places to wear it. Originally intended as a more occasion-ready piece, the brand confirmed it was designed as a summer wedding guest dress that could suit “city ceremonies to sun-drenched receptions”, claiming it’s “the piece you reach for when the invite is open-ended and the night is young.” I’ve not yet worn it to any nuptials, but I did wear it the evening my fiancé proposed to me, so it’s safe to say that this dress certainly has the magic touch.

An image of Ava Gilchrist, Realisation Par, wearing the Cora dress. She is wearing it in a size M.

The only thought that crossed my mind is that, given how many people are lusting over the style, will it run the risk of becoming fatigued in my wardrobe? If you have the same fear of refusing to invest in it in case it becomes overexposed, I can assure you, especially as someone who has owned countless Réalisation Par dresses over the years, that each design is subversive and sensual in its own right, making them incredibly wearable without feeling repetitive, despite the unique print.