I’m a fashion expert and have refused to buy Zara’s £32 summer It dress – here’s why

SHOWING up to a social gathering in the same outfit as somebody else is a real nightmare.

As a stylist I will always consider whether a piece is safe enough to wear as I hate the thought of walking into a room and spotting someone in the exact same look.

SuppliedAbby McHale sporting the pink version of Zara’s £32.99 mini dress[/caption]

Susanna Reid, 51, also wore the pink version while presenting Good Morning Britain

High street favourite Zara has made things tougher after bringing out what many are calling the most popular dress of the summer.

The mini dress, costing £32.99 and available in three colours, has a collar, rope belt and flared skirt, making it super flattering for most shapes and sizes.

You can dress it up for a night out or simply throw it on with a tote bag and sandals for a day in the office – there are many options, so it’s no surprise that it’s proven a huge hit with women of all ages.

I had a flashback to 2019 and the infamous polka dot midi dress which saw Zara credit it with boosting sales by five per cent.

Read more on Zara

DRESSING UP
I’m a fashion fan & have found the perfect dress in Asda’s maternity section

FASHION FAIL
I’m midsize & tried to find wedding guest outfits at Zara – it was a disaster

So has lightning struck twice for Zara? The answer is undoubtedly yes. I can barely walk down the street without spotting the new mini.

It’s been a hit in our office too. Fabulous Magazine editor Sinead McIntyre, 50, was an early buyer of the green version but admits she now hates the thought of wearing it.

She says: “I wanted to wear it to a Duran Duran gig but the thought of seeing so many other people in it put me off.”

Fabulous Celebrity Editor Kelly Allen, 38, also bought it in green . . . but it didn’t end well. She says: “I was disappointed when I got it home that it was so short on me. I had to return it.”

Most read in The Sun

THE MAGIC TUCH

Thomas Tuchel holidays with new Brazilian girlfriend, 35, days after divorce

THORNE IN MY SIDE

I was on Love Island – Paige is fake & b*tchy but cameras never show it

‘DEVASTATED’

Neighbours actor slams show for caving into ‘cancel culture’ by snubbing him

ENERGY SAVE

Thousands have just DAYS left to qualify for free cash to cover energy bills

ALL CHANGE

Five money changes coming in August including Universal Credit direct payments

the same paige

Love Island fans all say the same thing about Paige after steamy challenge

Fabulous Writer Yasmin Harisha, 27, picked pink, and she said: “I got lots of compliments.”

It’s not just the public who love the dress, Susanna Reid, 51, also wore the pink version while presenting Good Morning Britain.

Carolyn Mair, author of The Psychology of Fashion and Founder of Carolyn Mair Consulting Ltd says: “The dress grabs our attention because of its colour and pattern. But purchasing it depends on how motivated we are to imitate others and our judgment on if it will look good or not.”

But has it already reached its peak? This week I finally decided to see what all the fuss was about and tried it on for size.

Read More on The Sun

KICKED OFF
I’ve been locked out of my home of 15 years… I deserve to live there

ENERGY SAVE
Thousands have just DAYS left to qualify for free cash to cover energy bills

I loved the fit and style – it really suited my figure but I was a bit dubious stepping out in it.

After a couple of compliments, though, I started to warm to the idea of keeping it. They do say “if you can’t beat them, join them”.

SuppliedFabulous Magazine editor Sinead McIntyre, 50, was an early buyer of the green version[/caption]

Many are already calling it the most popular dress of the summer