What to wear this weekend: FEMAIL picks out a selection of the best midi dresses

MIDI DRESS

Dress, £225, meandem.com; trainers, £70, asos.com. Dinah Van Tulleken shares advice on choosing the best midi dresses

THE RIBBED MIDI

The sky-high temperatures have finally fallen and the days are definitely getting shorter. So before the end of summer sets in, take a moment to consider an item that will see you effortlessly into the first chill of early autumn.

A ribbed midi dress, if you can get it right, will be your sartorial saviour in this tricky transitional period.

FABRIC DETAIL MATTERS

The devil’s in the detail with these. It’s tricky to find something that is both form-fitting and flattering, but look out for weighty fabrics that hang, rather than cling. A ribbed fabric helps; texture hides a multitude of sins. When you find the right one it is fashion’s Holy Grail: comfortable and stylish.

RELAXED MAGIC

For catwalk inspiration, turn to names whose speciality is relaxed and understated — The Row, Jil Sander, Joseph are all designers who can elevate even the most mundane item of clothing and turn it into must-have magic.

BLOCK COLOURS WORK

The sleeveless design I’m wearing here is from Me+Em. It’s a throw-on piece that looks brilliantly stylish. I love the bright green.

If bright block colours are a little OTT for you, try one of the more sedate examples from below, such as the white column from Whistles.

NOW SHOP THE TREND…