"I wore this £39 dress to a wedding and strangers kept complimenting me all day"

Wedding-season invites are landing thick and fast, and with them comes that familiar 'what on earth do I wear' panic. I love celebrating my friends' big days, but dressing for them can be pricey and stressful, especially as I'm not likely to wear such a formal dress more than once or twice.

For my first wedding of the year, I set myself a challenge: find something dress-code-friendly and versatile enough to wear through summer. After some searching, I landed on this charming red polka dot midi dress (£39) from Finery London, a brand I'd spotted as a concession at M&S but never tried before.

I was unfamiliar with Finery's sizing, so I ordered my usual 10 and a 12. The 12 was swimming on me, so I kept the 10, so I'd recommend sizing down if you're typically between sizes.

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The frock is midi length, just skimming below my calves, which gave enough coverage for a ceremony but still showed a bit of leg. It has a flattering V-neckline, a neat-button front and a slightly flared skirt that moved beautifully throughout the day.

Its flowy and lightweight fabric made it breathable, which was much appreciated - it was a hot day, and the last thing I wanted was to feel sweaty or stuck in anything stiff. It also made a difference on a dance floor, meaning I could boogie the night away without worrying (too) much about being overly sweaty.

I rarely wear red, but I was genuinely taken aback by how many compliments I received throughout the day. More than one friend told me it was 'my colour', which has made me rethink my neutral colour palette. Red suits a wide range of skin tones and hair colours, especially blondes, whether pale or tanned. It really pops.

There are plenty of alternatives for those who aren't quite brave enough for such a loud colour. Black polka dot dresses are forever flattering, and this maxi-length one from ASOS is £36.

Otherwise, Stradivarius' dotted number (£27) is the colour of the season - brown- and has an open back for a seductive feel. It's low in stock in a couple of sizes, so if you're tempted, best be quick.

However, I was ready to go out all in red - and, at just under £40, I found it affordable enough for a one-off event, but versatile enough to wear again and again. I've already got plans to style it with trainers and a suede jacket for weekend plans, and a blazer works for work drinks.

The morning after the wedding, I popped the dress straight into the wash and was relieved to see it still looked good as new. There was no piling or fading, although it did have some slight creases.

For anyone staring at a growing stack of invitations and panicking about what to wear, this dress might be your answer. It's flattering, comfortable, easy to care for, and crucially, it isn't too expensive. It's available to shop via Finery London.