‘This multitasking linen dress is the only one I packed on holiday – and it's on sale'
Knowing what clothes to pack on a summer city break can be tricky, especially if you're limited on suitcase space; you want items to be practical yet look nice, suitable for hot weather yet also city streets, and possibly see you through long days of exploring. Luckily, I think I've found just the item: a cooling linen dress that looks great and works hard.
On a recent three-day trip to Barcelona, the only dress I brought with me with this Linen A-Line Dress from & Other Stories. Simple yet flattering, it features a round neck, slightly dropped arm holes and is mid-thigh in length, and looks great with both flat sandals and heels (and even trainers). This made it the perfect outfit for me for both day and night.
It's available in black and white, and is currently on sale on the H&M website, down from £77 to £47 for the black version and £57 for the white (which I'm seriously tempted to buy too).
I really love the shape; its high neck and slightly dropped arms give it a more flattering silhouette that a basic shift dress. Thanks to its A-line shape, if also doesn't cling to sweaty legs.
Because it's fully lined, I don't wear a bra with it as I think the straps would show slightly; if you wanted something similar that hides bra straps better, & Other Stories also sells this linen dress with a slightly different shape.
Although linen will always crease, because my & Other Stories dress is black and lined, the creases aren't obvious (I certainly didn't bother steaming or ironing it in 30 degree heat).
I wore it during the day with my trusty Birkenstock Arizonas walking around the city, where we averaged about 20,000 steps every day, then changed to daintier-looking black Havaiana flip-flops for the evening. For me it's the perfect summer city dress.
If you're after some alternatives, Nobody's Child does some excellent linen-blend summer dresses. We love the flattering waist tie on the Lottie, £69, while the Cora, £89, is a pretty midi dress option.
For something more colourful or boldly printed, try Roman. This belted shirt dress, £39, would be great for holidays or the office, while this printed shift dress, £42, would also work well as a beach cover-up (and the green version is currently reduced to £32).
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