{"id":527058,"date":"2026-06-09T23:01:19","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T23:01:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/527058\/"},"modified":"2026-06-09T23:01:19","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T23:01:19","slug":"i-tested-summer-dresses-from-ms-next-and-river-island-one-was-a-clear-winner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/527058\/","title":{"rendered":"I tested summer dresses from M&S, Next and River Island \u2014 one was a clear winner"},"content":{"rendered":"

From a polka dot mini to a gingham midi and a floral maxi, I tested three high street summer dresses from M&S, Next and River Island \u2014 and the winner blew me awayEmily Sleight<\/strong> Affiliate Content Editor and Sarah Tulloch<\/strong><\/a> Senior Affiliates Writer<\/p>\n

11:55, 09 Jun 2026<\/p>\n

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a>\"I<\/p>\n

I absolutely loved the Next dress<\/p>\n

Searching for the ideal summer dress can feel quite daunting, given the overwhelming number of choices available in countless styles and patterns. M&S, Next and River Island represent three reliable high street alternatives, so I embarked on a mission to uncover three comfortable, airy options that work for both casual and dressy occasions.<\/p>\n

Whether you’re seeking a holiday number to pair with some sparkly sandals, or something special for an event like a summer wedding, these three picks immediately grabbed my eye.<\/p>\n

I was so taken with one of my high street discoveries that I snapped it up and donned it for an evening wedding celebration. Continue reading to discover my top choice.<\/p>\n

M&S Pure Cotton Polka Dot Mini Cami Dress – \u20ac34<\/p>\n

This dress <\/a><\/strong>is absolutely perfect for hot holidays thanks to its remarkably light fabric. It features a breezy design, but I did worry that it wasn’t particularly flattering because of its fit.<\/p>\n

If you’re planning to potter about on holiday, tuck into a hearty meal and sip a few cocktails, then this is an ideal choice for dealing with bloated bellies. It’s been flagged as ‘selling fast’ and I’m completely smitten with the on-trend polka dot pattern. On the M&S website, the complete product description states: “Add playfulness to your look with this pure cotton cami dress.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"I<\/p>\n

I loved the breezy material<\/p>\n

It has a relaxed fit for an easy-breezy feel with frilled shirring on the straps and square neckline. An exaggerated polka dot print and mini hem complete the summery style. M&S Collection offers easy wardrobe staples that blend classic and contemporary design.”<\/p>\n

The pure cotton fabric is ideal for balmy conditions, and I’d likely opt for this piece on a summer getaway rather than for a formal event. It’s available in petite, regular and tall fits.<\/p>\n

Check it out here.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Next Blue Gingham Bandeau Shirred Body Midi Dress – \u20ac58\"I<\/p>\n

I loved the colour and the fit was flattering<\/p>\n

I was so taken with this dress that I had to purchase it. <\/a><\/strong>The shade was absolutely gorgeous and I found the silhouette complemented my shape nicely, despite typically avoiding longer styles due to my 5’3 height, I really liked this one.<\/p>\n

The brilliant aspect of this dress is how versatile it is – you could pair it with trainers for a relaxed summer outing or a picnic, or elevate it with sandals while away. I chose to accessorise this dress with gold heels and a red lip for an evening wedding reception and received numerous compliments.<\/p>\n

It was an ‘alternative’ choice that remained comfortable, which proved a lifesaver after several glasses of wine. I selected the size 12 which I’d describe as spot on, although I did catch myself adjusting the shirred bodice while dancing, which wasn’t a major concern for me. The dress comes with pockets which I’m absolutely loving, but don’t let that relaxed feature deceive you, as I wore this number for a special event and felt incredibly confident.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

On the Next website, the complete product description states: “This shirred bandeau dress offers a flattering and flexible fit, making it a versatile choice for warm-weather styling. The inclusion of side pockets adds a practical touch for keeping small essentials close at hand.”<\/p>\n

Check it out here.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

River Island Cream Floral Embellished Maxi Dress – \u20ac92\"It<\/p>\n

It was flattering on my figure<\/p>\n

This dress<\/a><\/strong> is the epitome of poolside glamour, boasting lovely glittery embellished detailing and was completely different to the other dresses I sampled. It’s not typically my style, but I was captivated by the distinctive pattern and aesthetic.<\/p>\n

Featuring floral embroidery, the dress features a flattering V-neck<\/a><\/strong> and is sleeveless. The shirred waistband proved really flattering around my middle and the fabric was light and airy making it perfect for warmer conditions, reports the Liverpool Echo<\/a>.<\/p>\n

My sole gripe with this dress would be that the embellished elements were slightly scratchy on the back. Everything else about this piece was gorgeous, and I think it’s a really vibrant design.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Check it out here.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"From a polka dot mini to a gingham midi and a floral maxi, I tested three high street…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":527059,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[73],"tags":[79,18,596,19,17,71087,23614,797],"class_list":["post-527058","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-business","tag-business","tag-eire","tag-fashion","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-marks-spencer","tag-next","tag-shopping"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ie\/116722643297768502","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/527058","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=527058"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/527058\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/527059"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=527058"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=527058"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=527058"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}