Anyone who has stumbled across my monthly new-in dresses column will know a few things about me already.
Firstly, I’m a sucker for a midi—these legs have not seen the light of day since a post-GCSE holiday to Malia. Secondly, I can get a little bit carried away with costly, insanely beautiful dresses that I cannot afford to keep adding to my wardrobe. As someone who has developed a taste for all things luxury (well, I have worked in fashion for a long time now!), it takes a lot for a more affordable buy to make it into my basket.
That’s not to say I’m only buying expensive items, it’s more that I’m just not buying anything lately because I’m fussy and already own too much. So, when I looked into some recent data and saw that Who What Wear UK readers were all clicking on one particular (very chic) dress which only costs £79, my interest was piqued.
(Image credit: Nobody’s Child)
Perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised: Nobody’s Child is a more affordable brand I was early to support and highlight to you dear readers when it launched many years ago. It started as a great destination for dresses, and whilst the offering is now vast (tailoring, knits and even a perfume!), dresses remain a strong part of the collection each season. Where its original designs leaned into the typically “feminine” floral tea dresses of that moment, you’ll now find more pared-back styles like Penni—the dress you’ve all been clicking on (and most likely buying).
Penni taps into the dress trend for “combined” silhouettes, whereby the top and skirt almost look like two separate entities but are combined for that styled-together aesthetic minus the effort. It has the comfort of a jersey dress but with the volume and drama of a full skirt, and the low-ish scooped back adds a little sassiness (making it even more suitable for party season).
As well as classic black, the Penni is also available in the season’s main colours: olive green, burgundy and brown. Made from 97% organic cotton and coming in both regular and petite cuts, there’s a lot to love about this seemingly simple little dress. What’s more, my experience with Nobody’s Child sizing is that it is either spot-on or a little generous (which is always welcome).
Shop the Penni dress and other similar styles below.
Shop the Nobody’s Child Penni Dress:
Nobody’s Child
Black Long Sleeve A-Line Penni Midi Dress
Fact: you cannot go wrong with a black fit-and-flare dress.
Nobody’s Child
Burgundy Long Sleeve A-Line Penni Midi Dress
I’d pair this with gold heels for a party.
Nobody’s Child
Brown Long Sleeve A-Line Penni Midi Dress
Nobody’s Child
Green Striped Long Sleeve A-Line Penni Midi Dress
This version is a little different thanks to the striped top half.
Shop More “Combined” Dresses:
Mint Velvet
Black Bubble Hem Jersey Midi Dress
Bubble hems are still going strong as we head into 2025.
ASOS DESIGN
Maxi Long Sleeve Poplin Mix Dress
If you like brown but prefer a lower neckline, this is a good alternative.
Anthropologie
The Thea High-Neck Mockable Maxi Jumper Dress
This also comes in an iteration with a patterned skirt.
& Other Stories
A-Line Midi Dress
The satin skirt adds some party potential.
COS
Contrast-Panel Long-Sleeved Midi Dress
COS‘s take has a slightly looser fit than the others.
Albaray
Velvet & Taffeta Midi Dress
Never Fully Dressed
Red and Pink Long Sleeve Lola Dress
If neutral hues bore you, this is a real wow piece.
