'I'm a fashion writer and this M&S dress is perfect for spring weddings' (2025)

The M&S Pure Cotton Bubble Hem Midaxi Dress is a simple black dress that effortlessly garners compliments for its flattering fit and

Wedding season has well and truly begun and, if you are anything like me you'll be scrambling to find the perfect wedding guest dress; one that can be dressed up and down multiple ways, keep you cool in the height of spring and summer but also ensure you look classy. Enter Marks and Spencer, whose own brand collection is brimming with some stunning options, including a simple black dress I snapped up last minute but got so many compliments from - and it won't quite break the bank.

The dress in question is the Pure Cotton Bubble Hem Midaxi Dress which costs £49.50. Now, while it may not look like much on the hanger as a plain (at first glance), black dress, boy does it deliver in person. Its block colour, high neckline and drop-waist design allows for a plethora of accessory combinations. But its elegant silhouette that creates a lovely hourglass style figure with a bit of drama at the bottom, is the pièce de résistance, personally.

The gathered skirt features a bubble hem at the bottom, which gives it a lovely pouffe and some serious swish. Plus one hidden detail that proved very useful on the day when needing to top up my lippy in the bathroom was that it has pockets - and they're invisible, neatly tucked into the volume of the skirt.

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The sleeveless bodice is fitted and gracefully skims over the tummy. Plus it features darts for a structured shape and added support. While the back has a lovely cut-out, open detail, which gives it added style as well as some airflow during sunny spells, the gap stops just above the bra-line, meaning you can easily wear a bra with it.

The dress comes in three different lengths, catering to a handful of shapes and sizes from 6 to 24. One word of advice, however, is that it does come up a little small - something I, and some other shoppers, experienced - so I'd size up if you want a more comfortable fit.

Once I found my perfect fit, I can confirm that it is great for dancing, eating, sitting and strutting about in - all day. It also has a lining which means it falls nicely and is comfortable to wear all day long thanks to its 100% cotton makeup. This breathable makeup proved great in warm weather; it kept me cool and dry.

While I wore this dress to a swanky black tie do recently with some bright red accessories (pointed court shoes, a £15 red rose adorned bag from Amazon and more) it could easily be dressed down with my favourite Blaire Dr Martens sandals and a denim jacket to tone down the drama for a more casual event.

If you love the bubble skirt but want a more casual, scoop neck dress, Albaray's Black Puffball Dress, £89, is a great option whose top half is made with ribbed jersey material, as is Nobody's Child's Nancy Bubble Hem Midi Dress, which is on sale for £59 instead of £85.

It seems I'm not the only one in love with this . Despite it only newly launching on the website, the dress has received a five star review from a keen shopper who raved: "Couldn’t resist this dress despite having to try on several sizes before finding best fit (it’s on the small side). The design quality becomes apparent once on with a drop waist, great if you are tall and long in the body, and the bubble hem. It’s also nicely lined and the cut out back still enables you to wear a bra. Please continue to provide such design quality please M&S."

The Pure Cotton Bubble Hem Midaxi Dress is available at Marks and Spencer for £49.50.