Alex Jones’ polka dot midi dress ticks every box - it has sleeves, works all year and is from the high street
It’s from the high street store that’s giving M&S a run for its money at the moment
The One Show host Alex Jones has certainly got a penchant for polka dot summer dresses. She's worn her Rixo navy polka dot number on several occasions now, but her latest dress was much more of a bargain buy.
It's the £40 Flounced Dress from H&M, which is sadly now long sold out, since it was originally available to buy back in 2018. Polka dots are back for 2026 in a big way, and Alex brought her favourite midi dress bang up to date by pairing it with some cut-out ballet flats when she attended The Hundred at Lord's Cricket Ground in London over the weekend.
The dress is such an overachiever. The sleeves offer just the right amount of arm coverage, plus the asymmetric frill on the skirt creates a flattering wrap effect. Fashion's love of midi dresses isn't going anywhere, plus whilst it works well for a warm August day with mesh ballet flats, it's also going to pair perfectly with knee-high boots and a chunky knit layered over the top for chilly autumn weather.
Although Alex's exact dress has long sold out, this M&S dress is a really close match. It's available in petite, regular and tall lengths, plus one reviewer wrote: "I have had so many positive comments. The sleeves are perfect, floaty and flattering. The dress is the right length and hangs really well."
The empire waist on this dress makes it one of the most stylish dresses to hide a tummy, plus the split in the skirt makes it easy to walk in. You can currently get 20% off with the code FRESH20, and it's also available in a butter yellow floral motif.
If you prefer a V-neckline instead of Alex's simple round neck, this tea dress by Roman will do the trick. Trust me when I saw you'll get a lot of wear out of this one.
These look like they might be the shoes Alex is wearing - she does love H&M after all! But I have to warn you before you fall in love, there are extremely limited sizes left.
I just bought these in red and love them. They're an M&S bestseller, and the knitted fabric makes them the comfiest ballet flats I own. If you're bored of sandals or white trainers, these are a stylish way to bring your favourite printed midi dresses up to date.
Nailing several trends in one go, these flats feature a Mary Jane strap, eye-catching woven material and the Forever Comfort technology we love British clothing brand Next for. And all for only £36!
Even though the dress is from a few years ago now, H&M keeps on dropping impressive collections that, in my opinion, rival everyone's current favourite high street store, M&S, at the moment.
Polka dots have been huge in the last couple of months, and it's a trend we've spotted (no pun intended) on everyone from Alison Hammond and Helen Skelton to the Princess of Wales this summer. But actually, much like florals or stripes, it's a print that doesn't ever really date.
Buy a dress similar to Alex's and maybe you'll still be wearing yours in eight years' time, too.
