UPDATE: |’I’m a fashion writer and I’m obsessed with Marks and Spencer’s slimming £30 spring and summer dress’ News

The high street retailer’s new £30 dress is the ultimate spring and summer dress – and I’m going to be wearing it all season

Now that warm weather has settled in for the foreseeable future and three Bank Holiday weekends approaching, fashion fans will no doubt be scouring for some new wardrobe staples to see them through the sunny days. While out shopping at my local Marks and Spencer, I stumbled upon the ultimate summer essential that can be worn to the office or the beach – and everywhere in between.

What’s more, it costs less than £30. Available for £29.50, the Pure Cotton Shirred Midi Waisted Dress has been praised for its ‘slimming’ silhouette’ – and I whole heartedly agree. It’s made from a lightweight and breathable fabric that’s so easy to wear and cooling on sunny days.

My favourite part of the dress is the shirred waist that sucks me in and accentuates my waist without being uncomfortable. I also love a little bit of coverage on my arms, making the capped sleeves ideal, plus it has a round neckline and a swish midi skirt, which can be paired with either flats or heels.

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Available in sizes ranging from 6 to 24, it also comes in petite, regular and tall fits so fashion fans can find their perfect length. But perhaps the best thing about this basic but ‘beautiful’ dress is that it’s essentially a blank canvas when it comes to styling, reports the Mirror.

This versatile number can be dressed up or down to suit any occasion. A blazer, smart shoe and jewellery gives this dress an instantly elevated look, while a straw bag and sandals makes for the ultimate holiday look. In the cooler months, it can be paired with a jumper or cardigan to give the illusion of a skirt, while spring styling calls for pops of colour with a crossbody bag and trainers.

Elsewhere, I love the Black Woven Jersey Mix Sleeveless Racer Ribbed Midi Dress at Next, which costs £32, is also made from 100% cotton and has the added bonus of side pockets. Meanwhile, this Contrast Stitch Shirred Detail Midi Dress at Very comes in at £35 and has white stitching at the waist which draws attention.

The M&S dress has earned a 4.8 star rating on the website, with satisfied shoppers having lavished praise on this staple piece, with one commenting: “This is a great dress, very simple and super comfortable. It can be dressed down to very casual or dressed up to smart casual. So, extremely versatile. I expect it will be excellent for travelling as well.”

Another added: “I love this gathered waistline to hide my too large waist. I prefer the shorter sleeves as I have the longer sleeved version. I feel cooler in this dress and black is always slimming. I look forward to wear it on the concert stage when the weather will be much warmer.”

Complaints about the dress are few and far between, with even the lowest score being three stars. Nonetheless, some purchasers noted issues with the fit: “The dress arrived quite creased, it’s just a T-shirt material, but would be good for the summer. The fit was a bit large and I felt it was not worth the price.”

“Really great dress. Very comfortable and good for work or on holiday,” wrote a fourth, with another penning: “Lovely dress. It’s a great fit and love the elasticated middle, which is very flattering,”

Now all shoppers want is for it to become available in more colours, with one adding: “Love this dress, looks great on. Would be great in other colours.” In the meantime, though, you can get the black version of the Pure Cotton Shirred Midi Waisted Dress here.