Andrea's It List: The quick 'one and done' outfits I'm wearing on repeat until September

Multi-tasking pieces you'll wear again and again

Andrea Thompson
(Image credit: Andrea Thompson)

It's around this time of year that my mind starts turning to dresses. I've spent the winter months in separates, and I'm ready for some quick, easy ‘one and done’ outfits I can invest in now and wear on repeat till September.

When it comes to summer dresses, my favourite buys are the hard-working multi-tasking pieces that are just demure enough for the office with a blazer but also work alone with heels for a range of summer events I'll inevitably be attending straight from work.

The key for me is finding a dress that subtly leans into one of the key trends but has longevity too, and you can't beat a fit and flare style midi. I'm all about something I can invest in now and wear for many summers to come - so if it works as a wedding guest outfit or laid-back holiday dinner, too, that's a major plus. Here are some hard-working heroes I love.

SHOP MY TOP PICKS

HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK

In need of more dress inspo. Over at Marie Claire, we've been busy rounding up the best wedding guest dresses we can find. From buttery yellow to cherry red, we've got a range of bold statement colour options suitable for any event. Prefer something more minimalist, like a classic slip? We've got those too. Check out the full edit now, including this cute drop-waist dress by Free People in fire engine red.

A montage of images of Andrea Thompson, Marie Claire's Editor in Chief and the words 'Andrea's It-List' to advertise her new column

(Image credit: Future)
Editor in Chief

Andrea Thompson is Editor in Chief at Marie Claire UK and was named by We are the City as one of the UKs top 50 trailblazers for her work championing gender equality.

Andrea has worked as a senior journalist for a range of publications over her 20 year career including The Sunday Times, The Guardian, The Daily Mail, Channel 4, Glamour and Grazia. At Marie Claire UK, Andrea oversees content, strategy and campaigns across fashion, beauty and the brand's purpose pillars. Her weekly newsletter and column Andreas It List showcases her curated edit of the very best in fashion and beauty. Andrea is a keen advocate of women's empowerment, sustainability and diversity and is a regular speaker at events on these themes. She sits on the committee of the British Society of Magazine Editors where she acts as Vice Chair and looks after Diversity and Inclusion and regularly mentors young women from under represented communities trying to break into the media industry. Follow her on instagram at @andreacanwrite