Meet your new go-to mini dress. The Alexis Cotton Pleated Dress from French Connection just dropped, and it's one of those pieces that hits every note. It has clean lines, subtle pleats and 60s-inspired tailoring that is undeniably chic and put-together. It's giving leg and major add-to-cart energy.
Bold enough for attention, but subtle enough for versatility, we can see it being a transitional piece as the UK is slowly edging into autumn. Pair it with some strong boots, a smart jacket and strut your way into the new season...
French Connection / NEXTwww.next.co.uk
New in, must have.
If you need a little extra styling inspiration, consider pairing it with loafers and socks for a mod-style throwback or a blazer and heels for an office-to-evening vibe. This dress may be new, but you could wear it differently a hundred times (at least). And while let’s be real, you probably don’t need another little black dress, we'd make this one the exception. It’s new, it’s sharp, and it pulls together a whole look with almost zero effort.
Who doesn't love a mini dress? It's hard not to see the appeal, tbh. Once upon a time, a mini was seen as rebellious - but in 2025, they're a modern fashion girlie staple, thanks to their leggy allure and the right amount of playfulness. And, this new French Connection dress feels really polished and modern, with a sort of Twiggy-would-wear-this 60s appeal, thanks to the short length and its bold simplicity.
It's an elegant dress, and it caught our attention almost instantly with the black knee-high boots.
With mini dresses having a major moment, and swinging 60s-inspired mod revival sweeping the runways, the trend has trickled down into high street brands. The Alexis's bold and simplistic design makes it a timely match. We especially love the dress's pleated design for that whimsical structure, whilst retaining an edge.
And you can trust this dress is going to be fantastic quality, as the likes of Cat Deeley, Kate Middleton, and Michelle Keegan have been spotted wearing French Connection over the years. They could be a step ahead of the curve with this pick. It's a mainstay UK brand that we keep coming back to, even when we're exposed to so many brands.
It's hard to deny French Connection's relevance, especially when it's frequently featured in celebs' wardrobes for TV appearances.
Piper-Ivy Huxley is a Lifestyle Product Writer for heatworld, specialising in beauty, entertainment and interiors. When she’s not writing features for heatworld she’s probably doom-scrolling through TikTok, watching RuPaul's Drag Race or spending way too much money on beauty products.