Anyone that knows me knows that I have never been a dress kinda gal. I like my legs (and cankles) covered and I usually take the more is more approach when it comes to fabric. I’m essentially in that Olsen twin circa 2009 mindset where I think if I wear loads of fabric, it will hide what’s underneath (although while they were hiding tiny frames, I’m hiding the frame of a male Olympic athlete that fell from grace). This year, however, the ‘new’ summer dress has swayed me.

I use the word ‘new’ loosely as the reality is that the sorts of summer dresses that I have fallen in love with are actually nothing new at all, it’s just been a long time since we’ve seen them this pretty. Ruffles, stripes, florals and flowing A-line silhouettes, the romantic styles have got me swooning.

This stripy number from Forever21 is where it all began. As soon as I saw it I envisaged myself exploring the French Riviera whilst carrying baguettes, croissants and all of my summer essentials in a basket bag (can you tell I’ve just finished reading Tender is the Night?). Everything about this dress oozes summer, and I can’t get enough. Combined with my scent of the season (Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Passiflora FYI), my go-to red lip (Giorgio Armani Lip Magnet in 402), perfect complexion compact (Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Le Cushion Foundation Monogram Edition) and the ultimate summer bag (Topshop Benny String Shopper Bag), I’ve finally created my ideal summer get-up. The issue now is that one dress simply isn’t enough. These are the frocks at the top of my wish list.

Now all we need is for summer to actually arrive…