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Woman & Home
Woman & Home
Lifestyle
Emma Shacklock

Helen Skelton's high street dress is such a bargain - here's how I'm styling her cherry-red midi

Helen Skelton smiles and leans against a wall during the Red Nose Day night of TV for Comic Relief on March 21, 2025.

Whenever I’m not sure what to wear in the heat, I inevitably end up going with my failsafe option of a breezy dress and sandals. This combination is perfect for holidays as well as at home and as soon as I saw Helen Skelton’s fiery red dress on her Instagram I started trying to track it down.

The bright colour and crochet-esque design screams summer to me and I was stunned to find out exactly how affordable it is. Helen’s dress looks so expensive but is actually £26 at Primark!

She wore it for an episode of BBC Morning Live and it also comes in emerald green and black. Although it’s described on the website as a maxi dress, I looked more like a longer midi length on Helen and it has a V-neckline and ruffled cap sleeves.

The flowing skirt is more sheer towards the bottom, giving you the coverage of a midi dress with the fun feel of a mini. The neckline is mirrored at the back with a frill and I’m not at all surprised that Helen chose the red version.

The TV host loves wearing red all year round and she’s particularly fond of a red dress for special occasions and sunny days. It’s a vibrant tone that instantly brightens up an outfit and pairs beautifully with neutrals and blue denim.

Shop Accessories To Wear With Red Dresses

Many people will have plenty of jeans and tan, white and black in their wardrobes, so red is actually easier to style than you might think. Helen Skelton wore her high street dress with caramel-coloured court shoe heels for a smarter look.

This makes sense as she was at work, however, I’ll be styling the red dress a little differently. The length and sweeping neckline make this design more elevated than your typical day dress, but the crochet fabric means I would still pair it with my best white trainers.

They’re comfortable, classic and the sporty edge would help dress the frock down for a BBQ or lunch with friends. When I want to feel put-together, I’d reach for flat or wedge espadrilles and a raffia bag instead.

Woven textures are always a big trend this time of year and, like espadrilles, they’re great for adding into smart-casual outfits. Helen didn’t need a bag for filming BBC Morning Live, though a raffia crossbody bag or clutch would be stunning with her dress.

Add a large straw hat when you’re on holiday and you’ve got yourself a very glamorous ensemble indeed. Helen finished off her outfit with a few delicate gold necklaces, a chunky gold bracelet and a selection of rings.

Silver might be the trendiest metal colour right now, but gold is Helen’s go-to, and the warm undertones complement bright reds. Most of the times I remember her wearing a red dress in the past she’s accessorised with her favourite gold jewellery pieces and this looks so glamorous every time.

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