Roman’s £38 ‘cool’ shirt dress is ‘ideal for summer’

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years as a fashion editor, it’s that the right dress can be a game changer in the summer months. That’s why this Roman belted shirt dress caught my attention. 

The linen-look dress has all of the appeal of summer-ready linen, though it is actually 100% cotton and extremely affordable.

Priced at £38, the heatwave-friendly midi dress is already excellent value, but if you shop before the end of today (Friday, June 20), you can get an extra 10% off with the code SPF10.

I think it nails that elusive mix of smart and casual, thanks to the collar and button-down front.  The linen-look fabric gives the texture and polish of a crisp summer dress, but it’s made from 100% cotton, so it is likely to feel cool and breathable on the skin.

It’s the sort of thing you can wear to the office with a low block heel or throw on with white trainers for weekend brunch. Shoppers have already left comments on their first impressions of the dress. One wrote: “Never goes out of fashion. It’s cotton so should be cool and comfortable to wear.”

Another said that the cotton material means it will be “ideal for the summer”.  That said, generally linen is considered to be cooler than cotton. Since the dress is linen-look rather than the real thing, it might not have the lightweight, cooling effect that genuine linen has. 

The belted waist adds shape without clinging (something I think will be a Godsend on sticky days), and the button-down shirt style gives it that borrowed-from-the-boys edge while staying totally feminine. It’s the kind of dress you’ll reach for again and again, especially thanks to its smart enough for work but relaxed enough for holidays vibe.

The dress is available in blue and olive green, and both sizes 10 to 20 are available.