Gillian Anderson’s denim maxi dress is the versatile and oh-so stylish staple you need in your wardrobe

We're shopping high-street alternatives for Gillian Anderson’s stunning denim maxi dress after the actress proved the timeless and versatile appeal of the capsule wardrobe staple.

Denim is a staple fabric in every wardrobe. From flattering denim jeans to stylish denim jackets, the go-to material makes styling smart casual looks a breeze - and there's a new denim basic on the scene that's really having its moment right now.

The denim maxi dress is a versatile wardrobe staple that effortlessly blends formal and casual wear for an elevated chic look. But, as with any new style, it can be daunting to add the piece to your collection. So we delved into the fashion archives for a little styling inspiration and found the perfect look in Gillian Anderson's Scoop premiere outfit from earlier this year.

The actress stunned in the flared denim midi dress by ERDEM, with her minimal styling really letting the statement dress shine.

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There's so much to love about Gillian's dress. The indigo blue shade of the denim is classic and timeless, with the washed effect across the material adding tonnes of dimension and texture-like detailing. And who could ignore floral-inspired print? It is an incredibly contemporary take on florals, being both subtle and statement-making at the same time to give an understated and sophisticated look.

The boat neck is another beautiful detail that offers coverage where we don't usually see it; at the neckline. The straight-cut look is so flattering, elongating the upper body and emphasising the fitted bodice and waistline.

The flared skirt brilliantly juxtaposes the heavy, structured look we usually associate with denim, with the asymmetric raw-cut hem that cuts off at a midi length, creating tonnes of movement and a fun, floating look that we love.

For the premiere, Gillian kept her styling of the dress minimal with just a few bangles and a pair of stud earrings adding a subtle glimmer to the outfit, and it's easy to see why she did this. The dress is a statement on its own and adding too many jewels would definitely have drawn attention away from the beautiful silhouette and pattern.

She did, however, have a bit of fun with her footwear and created a monochrome-inspired look by adding a pair of matching blue denim peep toe heels. This look is such a playful one that's perfect to draw inspiration from if attending a party or dressed-up dinner - but the dress can work just as well as a casual wardrobe staple too.

Adding a pair of comfortable white trainers, or some practical suede boots, in place of Gillian's heels would immediately dress the look down and make it the ideal throw-on piece for those days where you want to put little effort into your outfit but still want to look oh-so stylish.

As we head into the cooler months, the denim dress also offers so many choices when it comes to layering up for warmth. Wear it over a turtle neck long-sleeve top, pull on a pair of ladder-resistant tights, cosy up with a cardigan and finish off your look with a flattering winter coat and perhaps even a fun bobble hat too. Or layer a chunky knitted jumper over the dress, with a smartly tailored coat and pair of ballet flats finishing off the cosy-chic style.

We can't see the denim dress going anywhere anytime soon, with its versatility making it a seasonless, year-round staple - it's just a case of finding the perfect one for you.