Tesco is my nearest supermarket and I enjoy having a whip around the clothing items when I am there for food. Its my most convenient source of fashion and so therefore almost impossible to resist. I would say I find something worth purchasing at least once a month and in summer sometimes more. For example their swimwear is excellent value and quality. On my latest trip however I found four dresses all which warranted a much closer look! Here is review below. If any of these items are available online via the Next website I’ll link them directly. (The Tesco website does not provide online ordering of clothing items and popular items move very quickly so if you really like it grab it along with your milk, and hummus, or whatever is your jam 🙂 I bought all dresses in a size 8. This is the often the smallest size Tesco stocks in store so if you are very slim or petite you may struggle with the sizing. My normal size is 8-10 (top half) and 10-12 (bottom half), I’m average height 5 feet 5 inches. All of these dresses were under £25 so I deem them all good value for money. The would enable you to keep up with the trends in colours and styles in an affordable way and all easy to wear for the mature woman.
Dress 1 – Cerise pink mini wrap dress (available via Next online)
Overall fit and style (8/10) This dress ticks a lot of boxes. Its in this fashion forward jewel cerise pink tone that will take you into the Xmas party season, or wear it now for a late summer occasion with gold sandals and bare legs. You can’t see it here but it has a shirt collar detail. However if you don’t like this you can easily tuck it under.It is an a faux wrap style so will not unravel at an innoportune moment. While it fits me very well – The only draw back its a tad shorter than I would like (a couple more inches on the skirt length would be better).
Fabric (4/10) 100% polyester – no mention of any use of recycled materials except the label! – this looks lovely but will definitely cause static cling
Worth a place in my wardrobe? (6/10) While I like this dress a lot, I’m not sure how much wear I would get out of it. This is primarily because I would not feel the confident wearing if for an occasion without tights and I think it would cling too much to make wearing tights that easy, and it would definitely look odd with my standard autumn-winter back opaques. (I actually sent this back, though if I had needed a party dress I may have held on to it)
Overall rating (18/30) – worth picking up if you are looking for something in this on trend colour and style
Dress 2. Green satin midi- wrap dress (Not available via Next online but this one is a similar style)
Over all fit and style (9/10) This dress is definitely in the occasion wear category. It would be great for an Autumn wedding or Xmas party. Its in easy to wear wrap style and a flattering midi length. The way the wrap is put together means that it shows some leg at the front but not too much. The vibrant green colour is also very much of this season.
Fabric (5/10) This is likely to be crease free, its not too thin and hangs well. Again its 100% polyester – no mention of any use of recycled materials except the label!
Worth a place in my wardrobe (6/10) This is a great option for more Xmas parties and other evening occasions. I really like it but am not wowed by it to be honest. I sent this back as I did not have an occasion to wear it to, though I might have held on to it if it was nearer the festive season.
Overall rating (20/30) if you love the colour and style its a good option for the festive season
Dress 3. Pink Floral midi Dress (available Next online)
Overall fit and style (8/10)- This dress is a real one and done versatile option. It will work very well for a day time occasion in later summer, autumn and spring. You could easily wear it with white trainers, flat sandals or knee high boots depending on the weather. The print is not too bold and the darker pink tones make it bang on for the seasonal transition. Only downside found the elastic at the bottom of the sleeves a little snug.
Fabric (8/10) This is made from 100% viscose, 50% of which is recycled it feels fine when its on and does not seem to have a static cling.
Worth a place in my wardrobe? (9/10) I kept this this dress in the end. While I have not worn it yet I think it will work for me for Autumn days out/occasions and I think that I could style if up for the cooler weather with tights and boots. Why is not a 10? Maybe something about the overall fabric and styling that is just a tad conservative for my taste.
Overall rating (25/30) This is a versatile long sleeve midi dress for the Autumn-Winter season and could also be worn in Spring.
4. Dress four, cobalt blue shirt dress (Available via Next online)
Overall fit and style (6/10) I was attracted to the vibrant blue of this shirt dress. I love a shirt dress and I also thought the tie belt detail gave it an additional appeal. This is probably best as workwear, or for a daytime occasion. I can also see it with leggings underneath and boots for winter.
Fabric (5/10) To be honest I’m really torn about this one as the fabric is not so great. Its a sort of cotton/crepe/poplin and the belt ties to one side which pulls the buttons over. Although the fabric does not look or feel to great it is made from “viscose made using 50% less water” Its actually 83% viscose and 17% polyamide.
Worth a place in my wardrobe? (5/10) I am really on the fence with this one, as I don’t work in an office environment any more. I decided to take it back but I do like the idea of it styled up for autumn.
Overall rating (16/30) This is a decent dress of you are looking for a pop of colour for your workwear wardrobe
