HERO BRAND | SELF PORTRAIT

With all the hype surrounding Self Portrait over the last year, I deemed it high time I got my hands on one of their covetable dresses to see what all the fuss was about. I deliberately eschew dresses most of the time in winter in favour of skin-covering threads better equipped to withstand icy temperatures. But I can get on board with this kind of thing far more when it's sunny (actually the case for virtually everything). There's nothing quite like slipping into a single item and feeling immediately together and I'm vowing to bring dresses back into my wardrobe more again. Self Portrait has also recently branched into bridal which is worth checking out for any brides-to-be. (On a side note, my wedding dress has arrived and I'm off for my first fitting in May. Excitement. Overload. More on the blog later this year!)

At £280 these guys aren't cheap, and five years of sample sale going at Condé Nast will teach you how to get your hands on a bargain, but the price point does appear to be justified. The cut and layering is masterly crafted and really is so much better than regular high street. This particular dress has spaghetti thin straps to provide support underneath the floral lace overlay, minimising risk of random flashing. A wedding outfit wonder, though I also love the idea of dressing it down with ankle boots and a leather jacket.

However if this does still feel like too much, there are some sample sales worth taking down in your diary where you're sure to grab a bargain...

Reiss | The Music Room (behind South Molton Street) | 26-30 April

Monica Vinader | The Music Room | 4 May

Joseph | The Music Room | 24-28 May

PS The bag is Aurora London – well worth checking out for engravable, butter-soft leather, cross-body bags at very reasonable prices.