This £45 Marks & Spencer Bandeau Dress Looks So Expensive

last updated 18 December 2023

When it comes to dress shopping, finding something that's both classic and cool is a tall order—the two just aren't usually mutually exclusive. So, when you do come across a dress that feels on-trend but, somehow, also incredibly timeless, it's not the sort of thing you should let pass you by. Which is why I wanted to share this with you: a very chic dress option from Marks & Spencer which, yes, is a formidable combination of these two things.

I first spotted it on influencer Liv Madeline; a sleek, well-cut black bandeau dress I had to assume came from a high-end label. Minimal but impactful, it's clean lines mimic the types of dresses usually found at a higher price point. So, you can imagine my delight when I tapped my screen and a Marks & Spencer tag appeared.

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Heading straight to M&S's dress category on site, I hurriedly scrolled. Please don't tell me this dress—my dream dress!—is sold out. But would you believe, it's still in stock. Available in sizes 6-24 (and 6-16 in petite too!) and in a go-with-everything colourway, this might just be the most versatile party dress around—one you can dress up with sparkles and rhinestones, or take a low-key approach with velvet mary janes and fine jewellery. It's truly a blank canvas.

Emma Wells, a stylish influencer whose wardrobe reads like Net-a-Porter's brand directory, has also snapped up Marks & Spencer's bandeau dress. Coming in at £45 it's much more reasonable than other the party pieces currently saturating the market—you pay a premium for sequins, after all—but it's also simple enough that you'll genuinely get the wear of it year round. I'm already picturing wearing mine to a wedding I have in March with a chic cropped jacket and slingback heels. As for now, I'm opting for a crystal bag and the highest sandals I own.

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Safely ordered and with mine on the way, I just had to share this find with you before it inevitably sells out (as Marks & Spencer's dresses have a habit of doing). Scroll on to shop the trending Marks & Spencer bandeau dress and to browse other bandeau dresses on the market this season.

Shop Marks & Spencer's Black Bandeau Dress

Marks & Spencer

Bandeau Midi Waisted Dress

M&S customers have given this dress 5 stars across the board.

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Bec & Bridge

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H&M

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Bridal Strapless Ruched Minidress in White

H&M

Double-Breasted Bandeau Dress

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Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s Deputy Editor and has over fourteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and authoritative content for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, talent interviews self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their search and keyword planning, works closely with the fashion and beauty team on strategy and continues to pen many of her own articles. Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine's contributed to publications including Grazia, InStyle Marie Claire, Elle and Look, amongst others.