Why everyone wants to buy this ￡29.99 Zara dress right now- and the alternatives if you've missed out

Krissy Turner

Updated Fri, June 29, 2018 at 11:14 AM UTC

Floral print linen tunic, was £39.99, now £29.99, Zara — Floral print linen tunic, was ￡39.99, now ￡29.99, Zara

Article logo: Heatwave Hacks

If you haven’t yet found your sartorial sidekick for the current heatwave, look no further: we’ve found the dress that will flatter your figure and keep you cool.

The floral frock in question has been spotted on no less than four members of The Telegraph fashion and beauty team. With its bold print, figure-flattering cut, and summer-friendly linen composition, it's no wonder so many have snapped it up.

Beauty director, Sonia Haria was one such savvy shopper who got her hands on one weeks ago. "I optimistically bought this dress when it was miserably cold and rainy in London. The appeal? Well, pink and red is my favourite colour combination, and quite frankly, I can't resist a floral midi dress."

She wasn't the only one, as well as spotting this dress in the office, we've seen it on countless chic women out and about in the sun. Annoyingly for those of us who weren't as quick off the mark, the dress went into sale last week and is now only available in a medium and large if you sign up to the waiting list, though you may still find stragglers in store.

So what makes up this season’s most wanted dress? And where can you get your hands on something similar?

It's universally flattering

Rarely does one item flatter a range of women, but this dress manages just that. It boasts a matching belt that neatly pulls in and defines your waist, a bold print that distracts from lumps and bumps, and oversized frill sleeves that will make your torso appear more narrow.

Floral print linen tunic, was ￡39.99, now ￡29.99, Zara

It’s perfect for right now

Current temperatures in the UK are soaring at 30 degrees each day, which is lovely if you're able to bask in the sun, but can prove a nightmare if you're trying to navigate dressing for a sticky tube commute and an air-conditioned office. Linen, however, is your summer saviour. The natural fabric is breathable and light, and while it's infamous for leaving you a crumpled mess after sitting down for a while, this can be counteracted by a print.

While florals are an obvious choice for the summer months, what makes this dress such a statement piece is the bright colour clash of blush pink and poppy red. This modern combination was spotted on a plethora of SS18 catwalks including J.W.Anderson, Roksanda and Gucci.

It’s modest

The high neck and flattering below-the-knee length deem this Zara frock office-appropriate, and it's worth looking for these qualities in your next summer dress purchase to ensure you get as much wear from it as possible.
If you work in a corporate office and feel a bright colour clash may be a bit ostentatious, throw a sleek white blazer over the top and pair with navy mules or tan flats to tone it down.

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It will solve many of your summer dressing dilemmas

Those sporting the elusive frock at The Telegraph have been wearing it with tan or metallic sandals, which are ideal for day-to-day. Equally, a white trainer is a stylish partner for the weekend, particularly when teamed with a denim jacket.

The brilliant thing about a flowy printed dress is how effortless it is, so for evening, simply add pared-back accessories; gold hoops and satin mules are ideal.

If you're considering sporting yours to a formal event, keep your accessories slick. You might like to pick out one of the colours from the print to match, but a clash, such as pale blue and emerald green, would look just as good.

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