Spring has finally arrived, and it won’t be long before summer is in full swing, which means it’s officially time to start packing away the winter layers and bringing out those lighter pieces. That means swapping chunky knits for pretty dresses, and you definitely will want something that can carry you through all of the season’s events. Once the weather warms up, the calendar tends to fill quickly with weddings, holidays, race days and everything in between. So having one versatile, go-to dress that can do a bit of it all is an easy win.

If you’ve been paying attention to the high street, you’ll have noticed polka dots popping up everywhere. A classic print, they’ve been going strong since the 1960s and have long been a favourite of style icons from Marilyn Monroe to Princess Catherine. They’re playful without being over the top, polished without feeling too serious, easy to dress up, but just as easy to tone down.

And what I really love about the print is that it’s surprisingly versatile, pairing well with accessories and even other prints. The good news is that you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy the trend. Shoppers say they’ve found a dress at Roman that they say is ideal for dinners, cruises, and the races. It’s also easy to elevate for weddings with a pair of heels, a statement bag, some jewellery and maybe even a fascinator.

One shopper said: “Stylish for races.” Another added: “A nice dress for the summer.” Someone else said: “Going on a cruise and feeling it’s perfect for dinner”

Best of all, it’s just £60, so it won’t blow the budget.

The design itself makes it a strong all-rounder for summer events. It has cap sleeves and a flattering boat neck that keep things elegant without feeling too revealing, which is ideal for more formal occasions with dress codes. The fitted bodice includes a keyhole opening at the back, while the skirt falls into an A-line shape that Roman says is designed to be “flattering”. At approximately 138cm in length, it should skim the lower calves.

When it comes to styling, you’ve got options. The dress comes in two versatile polka dot colourways, black and white, and brown and white (though the latter is currently sold out in most sizes), both neutral enough to pair with just about anything. Add a pop of colour with your shoes or bag, or keep things classic with gold, silver or rose gold jewellery. For more formal or glitzy events, you could opt for some diamond pieces to elevate the look.

Perhaps the only slight drawback is that the dress is made from 100% polyester rather than cotton. That said, it does help keep the price accessible and makes it easy to care for, too, as it’s machine washable.