THE STYLISH STUFF: THE ULTIMATE BOHEMIAN DRESSES

22nd August 2016

As we ease gently towards the last bank holiday of the year and the evenings shorten, it’s understandable to feel that summer is almost gone. Retailers have started to drip feed transitional autumn pieces into the stores and instead of optimistic racks of light and airy clothing, chunky jumpers take up residence. Something that’s always frustrated me about the fashion industry, I mean, you’re about to head off on holiday and you can’t even find a bikini in store any more, because you SHOULD have bought it sometime in April, May or maybe even, gasp, June. So in a bid to not give up on the promise of more sun, today The Stylish Stuff’s weekly shop brings you the ultimate in floaty, bohemian-style dresses. The one’s you’ll always want in your holiday suitcase, the ones you’ll reach for when the temperature unexpectedly rockets skywards, the ones you can, if you are so inclined, wear all year long. These dresses exude the essence of summer. Without further ado;

Paisley Park – there’s a haute new collection in store at Zara and this dress – is summer worthy, winter-friendly (with chunky boots and military coat) and a forever-friend. Snap it up fast. Long Printed Dress £79.99 Zara.

Picture Perfect – let me count the ways I love this dressy little number from Self Portrait. For weddings, for parties, for date night, for kicking back with friends who dress up too. Looks great with heels but equally works with a strappy flat sandal or a chunky boot as the temperatures cool. It’s a masterpiece in embellishment and texture and well worth the price tag. So cool with fresh white Stan Smith’s ..yes it honestly is. Thea Maxi Dress £360, Self Portrait at ASOS.

Late Summer Bloomers – Free People, eternal home of the best bohemian buys. If you love bold, sheer or ditsily printed, THIS is the place you’ll strike gold. Sierra Maxi dress £268; Brixton Maxi Dress £128, both FreePeople. NB. vintage sweatshirts and military jackets are your go-to maxi dress-throwovers.

Here’s one I bought earlier. Inspired by the Vita Kin dresses that beguile even my price limit sensibility, this dress is selling out fast. Someone recommended it to me, I recommended it to others via a selfie on Instagram and well, the insta ball of love keeps rolling. It boasts a humble price tag and good quality finish, you’d be a mad bohemian not to. Long Dress £59.99, Zara.

If floor sweeping maxi dresses pose a health & safety issue for you. Why not test drive the midi. Soft blushy hues with a whimsical print like this, Campion Midi Dress £249 by Unique @ Topshop look great updated, worn layered over knitwear, blouses or t-shirts. Just add the season’s chunky boot or trainers for a grunge-ifying finish.

Make Me Blush. Sheerly there, pretty blush tones are as key for Autumn as they have been this summer. Worn layered, worn ruffled, the key is to choose light, floaty fabrics. Left, frilled hem maxi dress £55, and dungaree maxi £55 both ASOS.

Yes, your ultimate bohemian dress can be black. Add a customised camouflage jacket and ankle boots, maybe a pair of vintage drop earrings. Job done. Simply a must have masterpiece from French Connection. Anouk lace flared dress £150.

If you love Alice Temperley but can’t quite reach the giddy heights of the prices of her mainline collection. Fret not. Somerset by Alice Temperley at John Lewis is a beautiful offering of subtley bohemian pieces. From vintage floral dresses and jumpsuits to airy leopard printed dresses. Layer up, add a skinny scarf and wear looser. Bigger sizes always give that sense of a free spirit. Some of the autumn collection has already dropped, like the leopard print pleated dress £99, below, the rest is due to hit store over the next couple of weeks. Keep an eye on the website.