Yahoo Lifestyle I'm a Fashion Writer and this is the under £40 dress I'm shopping RN
Here on the Cosmopolitan UK Fashion Team, we like to practice mindful shopping habits. We're talking shopping secondhand, renting clothes and, on those occasions when you do buy new, making sure it's a considered purchase that will work hard in your existing wardrobe. All that to say, shopping in January is actually really hard.
You've only recently been spoiled at Christmas, so you likely don't really need anything. Many shops have sales, which is great for your purse strings – especially after December, which is usually a heavy spending month for us all – but often results in panicked purchases of out-of-season items you'll forget about by the time the summer rolls around. Plus, it's hard to know where to start with what to shop for as we're struggling with January outfit inspo.
That's where we come in. Investing in one of 2025's predicted big fashion trends is a great place to start, and our favourite trend set to dominate this year has staying power far beyond a year. Re-introducing polka dots.
We say re-introducing as the playful print is never really ‘out’ of style, though it is set to return in a big way for spring summer 2025. Just look to Kaia Gerber, who earlier this month wore a Valentino monochrome polka dot dress to a W Magazine party.
And the evidence is in the high street, with some of our favourite brands already releasing pretty patterned polka dot buys, including Marks & Spencer. Fresh off its sell-out collection with Sienna Miller, M&S is already impressing in 2025 with a new collection we can't help but find ourselves drooling over. Faux fur coats that are stylish *and* suitable to see us through the rest of winter, studded ballet flats that ooze cool girl energy, and the item that is top of our wishlist: a brown polka dot midi dress.
Round Neck Spot Print Midaxi Tea Dress
Sure, it might sound simple, but as well as nailing the SS25 polka dots trend, it also successfully channels Julia Roberts *and* Kate Middleton.Now that's one hard-working dress.
Amongst all the iconic 'fits in Pretty Woman, our fave may just be the brown polka dot summer dress worn by Julia's character, Vivian. And, while the Princess has repped polka dots on numerous occasions, it was Rixo's Izzy Shirt Dress in a brown polka dot print worn on a school run that sent fans wild back in 2022.
Yep, we're planning on snapping up this M&S brown polka dot number ASAP. We'll wear it with knee high boots and a wool winter coat when heading to the office, switching out for metallic heeled sandals and statement earrings for our summer wedding guest look. Race ya to the checkout!
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