Marks and Spencer's £45 Animal Print Mesh Draped Slash Neck Midaxi Dress, designed for autumn weddings and Christmas parties, is already selling fast online despite being new to the website.
The summer wedding season may be over, but autumn is increasingly becoming a popular time to get married, with milder temperatures and cosy scenery, and it is often cheaper than June, July and August. With Christmas on the horizon, many shoppers are looking for dresses that will also work for festive parties.
Design and fit details
The dress features an animal print with a slash neckline, offering a more sophisticated, feminine feel compared to the standard crew or V-neck shape. The midaxi length is designed to fall to the mid-calf, the slimmest part of the leg, creating an elongating effect to make the wearer look taller and slimmer.
Shoppers can pick it up in sizes six to 24 in petite, regular and tall lengths. The dress is fully lined for added comfort and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.
Styling and alternatives
To dress it up for a wedding or Christmas party, style with gold jewellery and gold or black shoes. For less formal occasions, style with boots, trainers or a chunky knit over the top.
Elsewhere, the Brown Animal Print Puff Sleeve Midi Dress costs £39 at Next, with a short puff sleeve and high-neck detailing, available in six other prints. Alternatively, the Brown Leopard Print Belted Shirt Midi Dress retails for £32.99 at New Look, featuring a belt tie waist.
Fabric considerations
The M&S dress is so new that it is yet to receive any reviews from shoppers. It is made from a blend of polyester and elastane, making it soft against skin and durable enough to hold up in the wash. However, the fabric is not a natural fibre, so those who prefer silk, cotton or wool will want to shy away from this piece.
