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Written by Simone

Everyone has one. A dress that has been an absolute wardrobe stayer.

It has survived Marie Kondo-esque culls, weight gain, weight loss, pregnancy, style changes and mood changes. Every time you put it on you feel good in it. It stands the test of time, travels well in a suitcase and is versatile enough to dress up and dress down. And as we all know the added bonus of a dress is you don’t have to think about coordinating tops and bottoms – you just bang it on and walk out the door. These pieces are worth their weight in gold.

Because we love nothing more than fashion and online shopping, we have had a ball trawling the Shop You app to find a handful of dresses that we believe are absolute wardrobe winners that will stand the test of time. Let’s go shopping.

Go Red

CUE Rouge Pleated Georgette Dress – Every woman needs a killer red dress in their arsenal for a bit of instant glamour and this one is an absolute rockstar. The pleated skirt elevates it from ‘Just Another Red Dress’ status and it’s so easy to dress up or down. Team it with boots and a belt for a day at the office, or add a statement necklace and a pair of gold heels for an after 5 look. The sleeves also make it the perfect dress for the slightly cooler autumn months.

Shirt it Up

Sportscraft Elly Tie Front Shirt Dress – All hail the shirt dress, one of the easiest things in the world to wear. It’ll offer sun protection when you’re brunching outside with friends, and if you’re smart enough to get a cotton one (like this beauty from Sportscraft) you’ll survive those scorching summer days with ease.

Cape Sleeves

Forever New Florence Cape Dress – You may have disregarded Forever New as a brand that isn’t quite age appropriate for you in the past, but hear us out: if you have to get dressed up, this is the dress to do it in. The style is just so flattering and elegant. The caped sleeves are great if you don’t *love* your upper arms and would prefer to cover them and the draped waistline is perfect for covering up and extra tummy weight that you’re struggling to kick. The neutral shade works with most skin tones and you can really dress this up with some bold jewellery (or keep it simple and sweet, the choice is yours).

Cami Midi Dress

Cotton On Woven lyric button through midi dress – This is the dress you’ll find yourself wearing for the entire summer if you have it in your wardrobe. It suits pretty much everyone, thanks to the belted waist, easy-to-wear neckline and flattering length. Team it with sandals or sneakers and a broad-brimmed hat to get you through the warmer months. It’s the ultimate in beach chic.

The Little Black Dress

Review Sparkler Dress – The little black dress is a staple in many a woman’s wardrobe, and this is a cracking option if you’re in the market for a new one. The fit-and-flare silhouette will accentuate your waist in the best possible way and the subtle diamante details give it just the right amount of razzle dazzle for a cocktail party. We also love that this style means you don’t have to mess about with a strapless bra. Hurray!

For more outfits that you’ll love, download Shop You.