Chic, understated and incredibly expensive-looking—H&M is spoiling us with its latest “It” dress, which I just know is destined for greatness. If checking H&M’s new-in section isn’t part of your daily routine as it is mine—I am a fashion editor, after all, so I can get away with it!—chances are you might have missed H&M’s slit-sleeve dress. It’s an elegant midi with angelic sleeves, a gathered-front seam and pretty waterfall hemline. It landed on site and immediately found its way onto my wish list. I, however, had just bought a black dress I love from elsewhere, so I resisted the temptation to spend again.
True to form, as it goes with all excellent H&M pieces, the black iteration sold out fast. I mean, in a matter of two days. Had I made a mistake in not snapping it up, especially as it cost a mere £40? Quite possibly. Still, I stood by my convictions—I had made the right decision. Then, I saw it. A brand new cream version. And the rest, as they say, was history.
I have been in the market for a dress that doesn’t require an awkward strapless or backless bra to look sleek, and that I could just throw on and feel fabulous in. This dress meets both of these requirements. Irrational as it may be, I’m a little self-conscious about my arms (it’s something I’m working on), but fluted sleeves fall so beautifully, so I have zero hangups. I wasn’t entirely sure how I’d feel about the ever-so-slightly blouson bodice, but it too hangs perfectly. I was also a little anxious about the gather to the stomach, but I find this to be an integral detail to the dress’s overall expensive-looking appeal.
The fabric is lightweight, though I can already tell it’s significantly more crease-resistant than the linen dress I usually wear at this time in the year. In fact, the fabric will carry into the cooler months seamlessly, as it’s not as synonymous with summer as cotton or the aforementioned linen.
Running through the dress is a subtle wave-stripe embroidery which I wasn’t initially mad on, but actually, it helps it to stand out from the other dresses hanging on my rail. As for the colour, I’d say it’s a very, very light peach, like a warmer take on cream. As for the fit, I’m a true UK 12 with curves, and the medium size fits me perfectly. However, if you’re between sizes or would like a more relaxed fit across the hips, I would opt for the size up. This is what the reviews say, too.
Genuinely, if I were to see this dress on someone else at an event or party, I’d assume it had come from Toteme or another suitably premium brand. Whilst I don’t shop in H&M a tonne these days—I’ve been trying to diversify the brands in my wardrobe over the past couple of years—I do think its slit-sleeve dress is worthy of a spot in my wardrobe, and potentially yours, too. By some sort of miracle, the cream dress is still in stock in all sizes, but I’m sure once the brilliance of the black settles in, everyone who bought it will come back for a second helping. Scroll down to shop H&M’s slit-sleeve dress and get a head start.
Next Up: The 9 Most Expensive-Looking Pieces on the High Street This Week