Alison Hammond stuns in this cult-favourite Rixo dress and Mary-Janes, you don't have to wear heels to look date night ready

Alison Hammond's playful printed midi dress, teamed with Mary-Jane flats, is the elevated yet practical date-night outfit inspiration we need at this time of year – and the best part is that her dress is from one of my favourite British clothing brands, Rixo.

January is almost over, and we're slowly coming out of hibernation. It's time to bid farewell to your best slippers and start actually considering getting dressed up again. And with Valentine's Day right around the corner, I'm on the lookout for date night outfit inspiration, which is why Hammond's floral and leopard print midi-dress has captured my attention.

Presenting This Morning, Alison wore the Meg Midi dress, a well-loved design that several celebrities have worn. The dress features a statement-making design with two contrasting prints, one a pink floral motif and the other a striking leopard print, which covers the pleated skirt panels.

This outfit formula bears both practicality and style in mind. The statement dress feels elegant and luxurious, making it ideal for fancy dinner reservations or weekend outings with friends, and the addition of dark brown Mary-Janes adds a practical dimension that accounts for comfort.

Shop Alison Hammond's look

Shop similar dresses

Even though dresses are so often styled with heels or wedges, when it comes to flat shoes to wear with dresses, this look deserves more credit than it gets, and Mary Janes are a great shape choice. The right flats can feel just as elevated and even more on-trend when you're styling your favourite dresses, which is why this outfit works so well.

The bold mix of prints and flattering silhouette of the dress already make a statement, so pairing it with low-key, dark flats makes this outfit feel more balanced and wearable whilst still being an elevated choice. By choosing Mary-Jane's or ballet flats, this combination feels directional, as well as practical.