It should go without saying, but as spring reveals its lush green features, it brings the promise of milder days ahead. This should come as no surprise for a season synonymous with renewal. Still, if there’s one thing we look forward to doing on the bright horizon, it’s wearing a new dress.
What could be more fitting for that time of year when we all flock to the lush green grounds of London’s parks to spend evenings enjoying cocktail hours in the sunshine, rooftop bars and countless wine bars in the city’s best suburbs, than enjoying what nature has to offer? No one does this better than M&S. A high-street titan, this store offers everything that can only be described as small luxuries, from the bottle of rosé you can grab for after-work drinks or the affordable sandals that can completely transform a tried-and-tested outfit.
This season, especially, the brand’s pieces feel fresh. The linen colors are light and perfectly crisp, inviting you to start your Saturday morning with enthusiasm or lift your mood as you leave work early on a Friday afternoon. Likewise, the color palette is particularly vibrant and full of high-octane energy that will inspire you to share your look with those around you, whether it’s on a weekend trip to an art gallery or a mini city break during the next long weekend.
In short, these are pieces that encourage you to shed the last vestiges of winter hibernation and get out into the world. They will mesmerize you with their ease, surround you with their beauty and make you feel at your best again. At least, that’s how I felt after reviewing some of their best-selling pieces myself. From picturesque dresses to billowing blouses you’ll want to wear until summer’s over, scroll down for the pieces that have earned this fashion editor’s approval.
The best pieces from the M&S Spring 2026 collection, as tested by an editor
1. Puff Sleeve Dress + Rope Sandals
(Image credit: Who Wears What in the UK)
Style Notes: British spring is unanimously dress season. After being stored for months on layers of With knitwear, heavy coats and thick boots, the warm weather is an opportunity to get rid of this cumbersome styling task and wear the most streamlined, simple silhouettes as possible.
With one-of-a-kind appeal, this range will make you look incredibly thoughtful and put together with minimal effort. This dress, in particular, offers all of those qualities and more. With puff sleeves reminiscent of styles offered by iconic fashion brands like AJ, Zimmerman, and Don’s, the billowing shape actually does a lot of the heavy lifting in making you look like you’ve spent a lot of time getting ready in the morning.
Featuring panels running the length of your torso, the cut itself is quite beautiful in the way it hugs the body, before emerging again into a beautiful drop-waist skirt, which is a distinctive feature of Mathieu Blazey’s latest Autumn/Winter 2026 Chanel collection. The contrasting navy blue stitching also adds an element of dimension to the otherwise minimalist silhouette, which is another feature that caught my eye while scrolling through the M&S website.
To tie in this textured tailoring, I styled the dress with paracord sandals from M&S. An extension of the rope accessory trend that first appeared in Miu Miu’s Spring/Summer 2024 show, the slightly nautical and techno accents felt perfectly appropriate for the joyous occasions to which I would wear this exact dress.
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Pure Cotton Drop Waist Midi Waist Dress
This dress is also incredibly generous in terms of its size, as it is available in both short, regular and long sizes.
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Strappy Footbed Rope Detail Sandals
Incredibly comfortable, as well as attractive.
2. Broderie Anglaise Blouse + White Jeans + Lace-Up Ballet Flats
(Image credit: Who Wears What in the UK)
Style Notes: For those moments when casual afternoons turn into long evenings surrounded by your nearest and dearest, reach for this perfect dress. The Broderie Anglaise blouse brings a bohemian slant that will naturally make anything you pair with it more beautiful and effortless.
The decorative style is best complemented by something modest but structurally sound as a way to offset the fragility and softness of the slightly larger size, so I reached for a pair of white jeans. Not only is the shade most relevant to wear during this period, but the raw hem edge brings the kind of coolness synonymous with beachside living and coastal escapes. Of course, it is always desirable to bring this effect to landlocked London.
However, to incorporate the natural fierceness and rebellion of the city, I balanced these romantic styles with architectural shoe choices. A lace-up flat with hook lace fastening, studs, ruching and a sharp chiseled shape round out the ethereal and light effect of the top and bottom, tying it all together for a dress that would be equally appropriate for an East London pub and a West London gallery.
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Pure Cotton Broderie Tie Front Blouse
Despite the cut-out accents, this shirt actually offers good coverage thanks to the flared sleeves and long-line hem.
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mid rise barrel jeans
I never wanted to take them off.
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lace up flat ballet pumps
Your new favorite shoe is waiting.
3. Car coat + white shirt + cigarette jeans + court shoes
(Image credit: Who Wears What in the UK)
This is exactly the kind of look I would wear to the office and earn the envy of my fellow travelers because of how thoughtful and personable I look. A mix of Caroline Bessette Kennedy’s off-duty style and the basics of Charlotte York’s “galerina” uniform from the early seasons of sex and the CityThe ensemble resonates with soft ease and sharp tailoring. The cornerstone of this look is based on two important principles: opting for a light coat and leaning into soft layering will always be a smart choice.
Of course, given that it’s the birthplace of brands like Burberry, With Nothing Underneath and Rise & Fall – all of which specialize in it – it should come as no surprise that this philosophy is embraced by modern professionals. Plus, with the lightweight kitten heel and sophisticated exterior, this is the kind of dress you can return home to after a long day and feel – and look – as good as you did when you left the house.
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pure cotton girlfriend shirt
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Pure Merino Wool Crew Neck Jumper
Creamy soft cashmere? Sign me up.
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Mom High Waisted Ankle Grazer Jeans
Paired with just the right amount of slouch.
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kitten heel pointe court shoes
Lust-worthy heel height.
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