Despite the torrential downpours, the UK's fashionistas are refusing to give up their penchant for dresses and have come up with a few ingenious ways to dress for success while staying dry, the most obvious of which is teaming a dress with a pair of watertight wellies and hitting the high street as if you haven't got a care in the world. The second option is to turn what would otherwise be a scandalously short dress into a longish top and wear it over a pair of leggings or super skinny jeans. Now that the sun is finally starting to peer through from behind the clouds, dress season is definitely back on the horizon. Here are just a few classic dress options that will elevate you to the role of style queen in no time.
The maxi

This floor length dress is the ultimate in summer chic and, depending on the print and material that you choose, maxis can flatter a range of figures and be shown off on a number of occasions. For a look that is perfect for the beach, go for a cotton maxi with thread detailing in white or pastel colours. A maxi in a shinier or reflective material is also perfect for hitting the town and these dresses are the perfect opportunity to experiment with bold prints such as animal print, vertical or horizontal stripes or even tie dye for followers of boho chic. This M&S one is on special offer at the moment.

The prom dress

The baby doll prom dress look is perfect for accentuating the best of your curves. The 'in at the waist, out at the hips' formula is perfect for creating an hourglass figure. Prom dresses are also ideal for showing off your femininity. To really stand out from the crowd, choose a dress that uses one material for the upper portion of the dress and another for the lower portion. As an example, an intricate beaded top could be combined with a chiffon skirt at the bottom. You can also choose between a sleeveless prom dress with a sweetheart neckline or opt for a plunging V neck. Dipped hem skirts will also help to give your prom dress the added edge.

The LBD

The little black dress is the go-to fashion item for many women. There is no end to the number of ways you can wear your LBD from a fitted work dress to sexier bodycon dress. The great thing about the LBD is that it keeps us looking trim and feeling fabulous. Whether your LBD of choice is a t-shirt dress or a more formal 'dressy' number, you can always ramp it up with a few accessories. A scarf here or a pair of chunky earrings there will really add to your overall look. The bolder the colour you choose, the bolder the statement you'll make. This fab lacy dress from New Look is less than £20!

The red carpet dress

The Oscars, Baftas and other red carpet occasions aren't the only time you can wear a killer ball gown. Glamorous office parties, upmarket weddings and summer parties are also a great opportunity to dust off your 'wannabe' red carpet dress and dazzle family and friends. Whether you want to emulate the 20s, 50s or any other era, you won't fail to find a ball gown that will transform you into a screen siren. If you want to take the look one step further then why not add a pair of silk gloves that extend past the elbow and a matching pair of jewel-encrusted earrings and a necklace. For a ball gown that will really make the best of your physique, why not try a mermaid cut that tapers in at the hips and fans out at the knee.

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