Marks & Spencer's £39.50 midi dress is a trending summer hero
The dress style of the summer has already started cementing itself, making now the perfect time to get ahead of the trend before the sun finally decides to shine and all the best pieces fly out of stock.
Popping up all over the high street is a specific type of A-line dress that has a fitted, sleeveless 'tank top' bodice, usually made of ribbed jersey, and a fuller skirt in a contrasting fabric like cotton. While we wait for the fashion set to name its latest darling, let's call it the tank-top dress (as opposed to the tank dress, which we consider to be essentially one long tank top).
These tank-top dresses tick all our shopping boxes: they're comfy, practical (most styles on the rails right now feature our beloved pockets) and make getting dressed a speedy breeze. Of course, they also just look cool – even our minimalist, The-Row-loving queen Jennifer Lawrence thinks so.
The most directional tank-top dresses have a dropped waist, but there are plenty without so you can choose the best cut for your shape (a dropped waist will draw attention away from your waist and onto your hips, so it depends what you'd like to emphasise).
Though obviously ideal for your holiday wardrobe (how cute will Zara's white 'balloon' style look while strolling through cobbled Mediterranean streets?), what we love about the tank top dress trend is how easy it is layer up on cooler days. Just add a cropped cardigan or sweater, or throw on your favourite blazer to add some smarter polish for the office. Footwear-wise, they'll look just as great with ballet flats or trainers (try a colour pop like stylist Emily Gray below) as they will with strappy sandals. Then, just add a straw bag.
Ready to add a tank-top dress to your summer dresses arsenal? You'll find some of our favourites to buy now below, including the new £39.50 M&S hero that rivals others five times the price.
Black seems to be the dominant colour, which we aren't complaining about as it's just so versatile. However, you'll also find some lighter and more colourful options on the high street. Top picks include & Other Stories' gorgeous buttery yellow dress, and Albaray's chic chocolate brown number.
Note: if you like the mixed media element – we love how it adds textural interest to a little black dress – but prefer a bit more coverage, some brands offer a few twists on the style. ME+EM has a pretty navy dress with little cap sleeves, while Albaray stocks a long-sleeved version of its bestselling tank-top dress that's perfect for the transitional months.
The best tank-top dresses to shop now
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