Gorgeous low key summer dresses for lunch, dinner & Christmas Day !

It’s summer. It’s time for a dress.
You’re probably looking for a dress for smart casual , a long lazy lunch, a relaxed dinner , one that’s office appropriate or (dare I say the word in October!) for Christmas Day.
You want to look polished, chic but low key. Maybe a little festive but totally relaxed.
This is NOT a big time cocktail dress or black tie and it’s NOT a beach dress either.

And why it is so hard to find it?!
Believe me I have been searching and searching ( ne panickez pas : there is good news below )

What to look for?
Let’s talk length :
You want a dress that is long – over the knee or mid shin. In my opinion ankle length is not right for work or every day. For the beach ? Yes. For a BBQ? Yes. For wandering the streets shopping? For the office? Nope.
Note: knee length is coming back but sometimes when a trend first appears it can be tricky to pull off. ( you look like you never stopped wearing it!) s0 I am focusing on longer dresses.
( A mini? It’s cool, but not something I will wear so not included here!)
BTW if you find a maxi dress to the ground you like for every day then get it taken up mid shin, it’s what I do all the time. Check out COS who get the length right for day.

You want a fit and flare shape. Maybe one shouldered. Maybe tiered or puff sleeves. A dramatic shape.
The fashion edge is coming from the strong architectural shapes .
Keep the colours classic : navy, black, taupe, white, khaki , choc brown ..FiFi approved of course.

Sleeves: Yes I know so many people prefer a sleeve but sometimes a sleeve can make the dress look too prim, old fashioned and dated. YEE gads noooo. ( dated? That’s the enemy here !)
If you want a sleeve then try an extended , shoulder pad or to the elbow. A sleeve that sits midway can sometimes make your muffin arms look floppier ( there, I said it!)( because I have lived experience haha).

HINT: AVOID a boat neck at any cost. Never good on anyone. Not a freaking person. (Maybe on mutations of the species called models but rarely). Unfortunately I have found a few great dresses on my search here but I will never include anything with a boat neck because they are frumpy dot com.

Theres’s a lot of black dresses around and I am here for it ( black looks best in summer !)
Yes, you say but what about a colour?
I will allow a chic blue, a bright orange , red or a deep khaki. Ha !
Why?
Because this is not about investing in a wardrobe of versatile separates: A dress is a one off occasion.
You just put it on and it doesn’t really need any styling as such..
You can got off piste with colours because it doesn’t need to be as versatile as a top. Does that make sense?

Keep away from pesky old fashioned prints and frumpy little florals (too tricky and ageing) ( But you know that) (Oh you don’t ? Keep reading The FiFi Report!).

Shoes?
Flat sandals look totally modern and chic. ( and did we mention comfortable?)
Rule of thumb: Flats always look right with a long A line maxi dress .
And mules or strappy heels look best with a shorter or midi dress.
A camel /tan / brown chunky flat or a metallic sandal will add a modern edge, some irony and stop any dress from looking too old lady.  Don’t match the shoes to the dress: eeekkk. It’s a bit mother of the bride haha.
White, metallic silver or gold are perfect. Of course black is fine if it’s strappy and sexy.

Accessories:
Go for a small clutch or shoulder bag in metallic, black or tan for smart casual.
Throw on a major earring or a statement cuff otherwise keep it simple.
You are NOT a Christmas tree:  with glitter and everything going on !
Keep it simple, understated and chic.

Hint: If you are unsure on any of the dresses below then imagine them with white pointy mules !

So many dresses here so if you don’t find one I will give the number of a good therapist lols.

Get shopping !