Marks & Spencer, M&S or Marks & Sparks - whatever you call this much-loved high street store, it's a treasure trove of hidden gems.
And while we’re fond of many things found in store (Percy Pig, anyone? Scented candle? Martini in a can?) it’s Marks and Spencer’s dress offering that has really flourished in recent years.
We’re not the only ones to fall for M&S’s charms, with celebrities like Ruth Langsford, Christine Lampard, and, naturally, brand ambassador Holly Willoughby often pictured sporting a stunning Marks and Spencer dress.
Let’s not forget the brand’s royal seal of approval, either. Both the Duchess of Cambridge and her sister-in-law, Meghan Markle, have been spotted out and about dressed in a trusty M&S fashion buy – Meghan even swears by their £6 tights.
Marks and Spencer’s dress selection is varied too, meaning that there’s something for everyone, whether you prefer spots or stripes, midi or maxi. If you’re heading to a wedding, look no further than their extensive selection, perfect for more formal events. Or, if you’re just looking for a pretty summer dress for outdoor parties and BBQs in the park – they’ve got want you need.
MORE: Lorraine Kelly’s stunning lilac dress costs just £40 – get it here
The price point of their dresses also ensures we go back to the high street hero time and time again. When we’re prepared to spend that little bit more for something special; their higher-end selection is great browsing material. But if the budget is a little tighter, M&S’s more affordable dresses – with prices typically starting at around £15 – are there to satiate our shopping sweet-tooth, too.
Our edit of the best Marks and Spencer dresses online and in store
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Off-the-shoulder bodycon midi dress:
We recently reported that Meghan Markle’s sell-out Marks and Spencer dress was back in stock, and now the high street giant is offering another version of the dress with long sleeves!
Ideal for work and play, the off the shoulder bodycon dress can look glamorous or subtle, depending on your choice of accessories. Pair with black courts for a chic day look, or go for gold with glitzy jewellery and a strong red lip for after-work drinks.
And it’s even had an exciting new colour update recently too! M&S have brought the dress out in a chic camel colour too, which would brilliantly compliment all skin tones and hair colours.
But if you want it in this colour, you’ll need to be quick, because it’s selling out very quickly already. At the time of writing, the camel version was only available online in sizes 16, 18, 22 and 24.
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Floral wrap dress:
As autumn approaches, we’ve found the ideal transitional piece if you aren’t ready to ditch summery florals just yet. Swap bright ditsy for jewel-hued prints and you have the perfect summer-to-autumn look that works well on any occasion. Wear with metallic sandals for the final few weeks of summer, or throw over a cozy cardigan as the temperatures drop. Trust us, you’ll want to keep this versatile piece in rotation for seasons to come.
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Patterned shirt dress
Holly Willoughby’s latest M&S collection recently dropped in stores, and this printed midi is one of the stand-out pieces of the entire range.
With elegant elbow length sleeves and a more demure calf length, it’s super versatile. The structured collar means it’ll fit in brilliantly with a work wardrobe, but the fun print means it would look equally chic at lunch with the girls as well.
In this hot weather, its airy cotton blends also ensures that it makes for a light, comfortable wear – because who doesn’t need some breathable fabric in these temperatures? But when the weather cools down, this transitional piece will stand the test of time as well – simply pair it with heeled boots and tights in autumn/winter.
At the moment, Holly’s dress is still available in all sizes for the very reasonable price of £49.50. But don’t hesitate – this won’t stay in stores forever.
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Floral midi dress
For those of us who love a relaxed floral midi dress, this M&S dress is a great option. While at first sight it might not seem to be the most flattering option, its cinched in waist and balloon sleeves will actually look great on a whole host of body types.
The relaxed, easy-to-wear fit is perhaps the strongest selling point of this dress though. The soft, comfy material means that it’ll feel like an extension of your pyjamas when you’re getting ready for work in the morning, while the midi style, vibrant teal colour and floral print ensures you look super on trend.
Customers appear to have loved the dress so far too, with one sharing her thoughts that it looks ‘so pretty’ on, whilst another confirmed that it was ‘comfortable to wear’.
Team it with trainers for the ultimate in laid-back chic this season.
Make like the Duchess of Sussex with this ribbed, knitted dress. This Marks & Spencer dress is super similar to a gown Meghan wore on hers and Harry’s Australia tour last year, and there’s a reason the style icon chose it.
With a soft, short sleeve top, the fabric divides at the skirt – a striped maxi that’ll be cool and comfortable in summer.
The downward stripes while skim your figure to create a slimmer silhouette, while the monochromatic colours mean the dress will never go out of style.
Dress it up for work with a pair of heels, but remember that it’ll be just as fitting on holiday or for a casual weekend jaunt with sandals and trainers!
For ladies who prefer a shorter dress, this bright, bold mini dress is ideal. It’s got a cinched in waist, meaning it’ll skim right over any problem areas, and the longer sleeves keep it appropriate for both officewear and fun.
The dress is also buttoned from the collar to the waist, so you can button it up to turn it into formal wear or undo a few on days when you want a more relaxed feel.
We think this would look fabulous with white trainers, heels, or sandals.
Everyone loves a shirt dress, and this pretty red number from Marks & Spencer may well just become our new go-to. Shirt dresses are fuss-free and require minimal thought – something we all need early in the morning!
This maxi dress, with its tie belt, can be switched up any which way you want.
Heels will ensure you look sophisticated, while trainers will make this dress seem more laid-back. Its cherry red colour means it’ll work in your wardrobe for months to come too, blending in with the autumnal hues of September, October and November.
But if the red is too vibrant for your tastes, the dress is also available in a more muted black. Get yours ASAP!
It’s summer and we’ve found the perfect dress for your sun-soaked holiday at Marks & Spencer. This satin number from Rosie Huntington-Whitley’s range is ridiculously glamorous, while also being at laid-back option for any jaunts to the beach.
It’s only £17.50 in the sale, meaning it’s an affordable pick if you’ve already splashed out on the actually holiday. There’s also a slit in the leg so you can catch the breeze easily as the temperatures rise and rise…
Wear it with your bikini or on its own for hazy dinners out in the evening – wherever you are, we reckon this timeless number will elevate your summer wardrobe with very little work.
We all need a go-to dress for the working week, and this Marks & Spencer dress could become your new favourite. A simple, bodycon dress, it’s the stunning pink colour that really stands out with this item.
It’s knee-length, so it’s perfectly appropriate for office-wear teamed with some heels, but the fun colour of the dress means it could also work for more formal occasions outside of work too.
We love the flared sleeves and gathered-in waist, which give a bit of a twist to this body-con number – and the added stretch, which will ensure a comfortable fit no matter what the time of day!
Looking for an occasion dress? Look no further! A strapless dress oozes fun, and we love this one picked out of the new selection of Marks and Spencer dresses that dropped this week.
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The high neck with ruched detail creates a unique shape, so your dress will stand out the crowd at a wedding, party or race day.
Its pink and black pattern compliments the white background colour, and also means that you won’t be committing the ultimate fashion faux-pas by wearing white, if you do decide to wear this to any upcoming nuptials.
We want them all! Which of the Marks and Spencer dresses will you be treating yourself to?
