13 IMAGE staffers on the Irish artists they can’t get enough of
13 IMAGE staffers on the Irish artists they can’t get enough of

Sarah Gill

What to eat this weekend: Trofie pasta with prawns and homemade pesto
What to eat this weekend: Trofie pasta with prawns and homemade pesto

IMAGE

Write now: This stunning museum is an ode to penmanship
Write now: This stunning museum is an ode to penmanship

Lizzie Gore-Grimes

The soft power of the female gamer
The soft power of the female gamer

IMAGE

This picturesque West Cork home with separate basement apartment is on the market for €695,000
This picturesque West Cork home with separate basement apartment is on the market for €695,000

Sarah Finnan

Ingrid Hoey: ‘This serum reversed visible signs of sun damage on my skin’
Ingrid Hoey: ‘This serum reversed visible signs of sun damage on my skin’

IMAGE

Design coach Karen Douglas shares her tips for working with an architect
Design coach Karen Douglas shares her tips for working with an architect

Megan Burns

How to spot a scammer (according to someone who was actually scammed)
How to spot a scammer (according to someone who was actually scammed)

Sarah Finnan

Cillian Murphy’s book about empathy is essential reading for everyone
Cillian Murphy’s book about empathy is essential reading for everyone

Sarah Gill

Supper Club: Hot-smoked salmon rice and asparagus salad
Supper Club: Hot-smoked salmon rice and asparagus salad

Sarah Finnan

Image / Fashion

This flattering spring dress is perfect for day-to-night dressing


By Edaein OConnell
08th Mar 2019

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

This flattering spring dress is perfect for day-to-night dressing

The power of a dress is undeniable.

For years, I avoided them because I told myself “what’s the point”. Singular pieces were a more viable option for me. I could mix and match and avoid the stress of one not zipping over my boobs.

However, in recent times I’ve realised just how versatile dresses can be. With a dress, you are instantly put together. Panicking about what top to wear and which trousers to put with it is a thing of the past.

For me, dresses prevent a multitude of woes. I have worn one for every important moment of my life to date. From interviews to the first day of a new nerve-wracking adventure, they have cocooned me and helped me feel confident (even when internally I didn’t feel it).

Related: These nine pieces make the perfect spring capsule wardrobe

A dress is also the perfect piece to walk with you through the seasons. From spring to winter, they will never falter as a sartorial choice. Paired with tights and boots, they will help you survive chillier days, and when warmer weather runs through your bones, a pair of sandals will suffice.

I’m constantly on the lookout for a new gúna to add to my collection, and my magpie eyes were immediately drawn to this Marks & Spencer number. Although the print looks scary and slightly overwhelming, the colours make it surprisingly wearable.

The material is light enough to wear from June onwards, but still appropriate to wear in the low temperatures we are having now when paired with boots. With a cinched in waist, this dress will suit almost every body shape. Most importantly, it’s one of the most comfortable dresses I have worn.

It has the ability to be worn for a working day in the office, and when spruced up with accessories, it can take you to dinner and drinks too.

Look 1

Because the print does all the talking for this dress, to make it office appropriate I kept it simple. Paired with a pair of black knee-high boots, sans accessories, the look was pared back without being boring.

Look 2

For a dressier #ootd, I swapped the boots for a pair of on-trend red, strappy sandals for a subtle burst of clashing colour. A leather jacket, gold hardware bag, and big earrings completed the look without it being overkill. The dress is still allowed to be the focal point, but the accessories complement rather than take away from it. This is key when dressing an outfit with a loud print.

Shop the look

Animal print long sleeve waisted midi dress, €60 at Marks & Spencers

High heel leather boots, €119 at Zara

Faux leather jacket with zips, €39.95 at Zara

Strippy heeled sandals, €64 at Topshop

Sabina link shoulder bag, €44 at Topshop

More dresses perfect for day to night dressing

Geo border tie neck dress, €68 at Topshop

Puff sleeve dress, €49.95 at Zara

Belted wrap maxi dress, €99 at & Other Stories

RIXO Cindy zebra-print crepe wrap dress, €305 at Net A Porter

Lana white polka dot vintage midi dress, €175 at Kitri

Photos: Edaein O’Connell, taken by Sophie Teyssier


More like this:

  • The IMAGE staff show us the key pieces from their wardrobes… here.
  • I never thought I’d buy a boilersuit, until I found this Topshop dream… here.
  • This is how IMAGE staff add a pop of colour to their outfits… here.