The Luna/Lola Wear Anywhere Dress
I feel as though I'm bombarding you with dresses at the moment, but the sales are still on and every time I buy something good it immediately sells out. And I thought that I was getting in there early with these Luna and Lola dresses from Whistles, but they've just gone into the sale as well!
I have four Lola dresses and I wear them all the time, for all occasions. Granted, my plain black one now looks a little faded because I've washed it so much (sorely tempted to grab another as a back-up) but the printed ones look amazingly chic in just about any kind of scenario.
I wore this Sahara print Lola dress* out to dinner last week with heels (these are from LK Bennett*, so sexy) and then I wore it the next day, slightly woolly-headed, with trainers to go exploring around Dartmoor. (Update: apologies, it's actually the Geo-print Lola, which is on sale here* - the Sahara is equally lovely, but a slightly different print!)
I love the relaxed fit of the Lola, it's just precisely what I want for a "throw-on" dress - the cut is so clever that the dress looks structured, not sack-like, and so it is smart enough for evening attire but is equally at home doing the Tesco shop or whatever life maintenance is on the agenda.
The front feels reasonably short (enough so that if you raise your arms you wonder how much of a show you're putting on) but the back hem dips down, like an oversized shirt, so it never worries me.
I mean, there are bigger things to worry about, but you get what I mean... You can find the Sahara Print Lola dress here* - it's currently £85 down from £119. The plain black one, which is one of the chicest little dresses I think I own, is £65 in the sale here*.
The Luna dress is a new style to me, but I wore this one in the Cordilla print* to go to Wimbledon with Elizabeth Arden the other week. I struggle to see what the difference is between the Luna and Lola, but that's no bad thing; both seem to have the same relaxed collar, cocoon shape, excellent cut and - rejoice! - pockets. Perhaps the hem at the back is longer on the Lola?
Whatever, it's just as easy to wear as the Lola and has been added to my collection of Important Clothes That Must Never Be Shrunk In The Wash. I could chuck this dress on with some heels and feel polished-up within about three minutes. Hair slicked back, bright lipstick, job done.
Let's get down to the honest nitty-gritty on these dresses, too; the reason I like them is that they are mightily forgiving on the middle area (something to do with the cocoon shape!) but show off the lower legs and arms, which are reasonably easy to make presentable. Upper arms concealed, no particular depths of cleavage on show, yet the overall effect is sophisticated in a relaxed, confident way.
The Luna is on sale for £85, down from £118 - you can find it here*. I have to say that this bright print is perfect against sunkissed skin, so would make a brilliant holiday dress, or, if you're in the UK, a brilliant stay-at-home-because-what's-the-point-in-going-away-when-the-weather-is-like-this dress.