Annette White Smocked Puff Sleeve Midi Dress

A white midi with smocking is the summer wardrobe's load-bearing wall, and the Annette is a particularly well-built one — puffed at the sleeve, shirred at the bodice, easy everywhere else.

The square neckline frames the collarbone, short puff sleeves gather into elasticised cuffs, and the shirred bodice stretches to fit without a single fastening. Below, the drop-tier A-line skirt adds swing, and the relaxed fit plus unlined construction keeps the whole dress weightless in heat.

White goes everywhere in summer: over swimwear on the way to water, under a straw hat at a market, out to dinner with tan sandals and gold jewellery. It also takes accessories in any colour you own, which makes it the easiest packing decision of the season. Easy-to-wear charm, as advertised — with the structure to back it up.