The high street’s gone high end: You can buy Ghost at M&S, Sam Cam at Fenwick and Savannah Miller at Next
- Gemma Champ reveals tea dresses as this summer’s trend for garden parties
- UK-based fashion expert shares new designer-meets-High-Street collections
- Among them is Ghost’s third affordable collaboration with Marks & Spencer
Yes, the fashion collab is back, and this summer it comes in the form of tea dresses destined for garden parties, picnics and relaxed weddings heralded by Carrie and Boris’s low-key affair.
And not before time. With clothes shops still in the doldrums, a new designer-meets-High-Street collection is guaranteed to spark a bit of excitement.
Naturally, H&M is first off the blocks, teaming up with a true fashion darling, the Brock Collection. This California dream team serves up a blend of romanticism and pared-back chic — the slip dress in a dark floral is a perfect example.
Cherry print midi tea dress, £69, M&S x Ghost at marksandspencer.com; mules, £46, next.co.uk
Freya dress, £320, Cefinn Fenwick exclusive at fenwick. co.uk; heels, £49, next.co.uk
Rosie dress, £340, Cefinn Fenwick exclusive at fenwick.co.uk
If you’re a fan of bias-cut tea dresses, you’ll know that the original and best belong to 1990s favourite Ghost, which makes the brand’s third affordable collaboration with Marks & Spencer especially welcome.
Where the old M&S might have given us frumpy florals, the Ghost-approved versions offer bang-on-trend ditsy prints and puffed sleeves with flared midi-skirts that are more flattering than the clingy Ghost originals.
If sundresses are more your thing, Savannah Miller (the fashion designer sister of actress Sienna) is bringing boho back with her new collection for Next. T
Lyocell-mix dress, £29.99, Brock Collection x H&M, and sandals, £14, hm.com
Zebra maxi dress, £62, Savannah Miller x Next at next. co.uk; sandals, £75, dune london.com
Terracotta dress £49, Savannah Miller x Next, and bag, £26, next.co.uk; sandals, £85, dune london.com
ghe loose sleeves of this terracotta dress offer a cover-up without looking prissy, while the high-waisted, zebra maxi is just the ticket for a summer event.
Collaborations aren’t only about getting designer pieces at a bargain price, though — as evidenced by Cefinn teaming up with Fenwick, a top destination for ‘social season’ shopping.
The six pieces come in at a similar price to the rest of Samantha Cameron’s label, but they are exclusive to the department store. The Rosie dress is just the chic side of floral, while the fit-and-flare Freya style is extravagantly belted.
The appeal of the High Street collaboration lies in the exclusivity of getting your hands on a soon-to-sell-out frock from a limited run. So even if you’re now sharing tea for two, you probably won’t share your tea dress for one.
Ditsy floral puff sleeve midi tea dress, £69, M&S x Ghost at marks andspencer.com; heels, £75, dune london.com