This season’s most stylish steals – DINAH VAN TULLEKEN top picks

Forgive me for boasting, but I just bought a fabulous dress. It’s perfect — a gorgeous black-and-white jacquard design with a bohemian feel. 

It’s 100 per cent cotton and the perfect length, with an elegant V-neck and gorgeous flared sleeves. And the best thing? It’s exactly like a dress I spotted on Net-a-Porter — only mine is £28 from my local Tesco. 

Dinah Van Tulleken has chosen her top summer picks – all from supermarkets. Rash suit, £20, Tu at Sainsbury’s

And my dress isn’t a one-off. While the rest of the High Street appears to be in free fall, the supermarket brands — that’s F&F at Tesco, George at Asda, Nutmeg at Morrisons and Tu at Sainsbury’s — are stealing the show. At Asda, sales of dresses are up 180 per cent since last year, and other summer essentials such as shorts and sandals are also flying off the shelves. 

Jacket £35; T-shirt, £6; trousers, £18; bag, £8; sandals, £10, Tu at Sainsbury¿s

Jacket £35; T-shirt, £6; trousers, £18; bag, £8; sandals, £10, Tu at Sainsbury’s

Dress, £20, Nutmeg at Morrisons; trainers, £17, Tu at Sainsbury¿s

Dress, £20, Nutmeg at Morrisons; trainers, £17, Tu at Sainsbury’s

These collections are so much more wearable than their High Street competitors. The brands are paying special attention to materials (and, impressively, how they source them), they offer a wide variety of sizes (from 8-26), are convenient (you can combine summer wardrobe-searching with the food shop) — and most importantly, they’re affordable. 

Dress £20; sandals, £12.50, George at Asda

Dress £20; sandals, £12.50, George at Asda

Look at Tu’s gorgeous floral print quilted jacket, only £35. We’ve styled it here with a fabulous pair of wide-leg trousers, £18, that would be great for work. Check out their incredible block-colour rash suit — the hottest swimsuit style to be seen in this summer. Plus, the accessories from Sainsbury’s are by far the best on offer, regardless of price. 

Dress, £16, Nutmeg at Morrisons; sandals, £14, George at Asda

Dress, £16, Nutmeg at Morrisons; sandals, £14, George at Asda

Swimming costume, £16; cap, £6, George at Asda

Swimming costume, £16; cap, £6, George at Asda

As well as my new purchase, F&F’s collaboration with singer Frankie Bridge is worth a look; keep your eyes peeled for the brown zebra-print two-piece with co-ordinating shirt, £22, and trousers, £25. 

George at Asda have a gorgeous selection of slinky slip dresses, including this black-backed floral with clashing prints. And if you need new swimwear, they have an amazing selection starting at £4.50. 

Dress, £28, F&F at Tesco; sandals, £12.50, George at Asda

Dress, £28, F&F at Tesco; sandals, £12.50, George at Asda

Tiered dress, £19, F&F at Tesco; sandals, £14, George at Asda

Tiered dress, £19, F&F at Tesco; sandals, £14, George at Asda

Nutmeg at Morrisons launched in 2013, and relaxed daywear is what they do best, the green floral dress above, £16, is a prime example. 

So next time you’re browsing the aisles for fruit and veg, make sure you leave enough room in your trolley for some new additions to your wardrobe.

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