I shopped in Roman and found pieces that rival M&S – but are cheaper online

After spending last summer almost exclusively in a pair of Roman linen trousers, which have recently been dusted off due to the warmer weather, I decided to pay a visit to one of the fashion retailer’s stores in search of some new wardrobe additions. During my trip, I not only discovered some stunning styles for under £50 each, but also a smarter way to shop.

I’ve previously mentioned that I had a preconceived notion that Roman was a store aimed at older women – however, the retailer actually offers a variety of designs to cater to different ages and personal tastes. While perusing the racks, I came across some beautiful pieces that I would definitely add to my basket, some of which could compete with brands like M&S, River Island and Nobody’s Child.

In-store the clothing appears to be organised by colour, which is fantastic if you know which hues suit you best as you can go directly to the pinks, blues or neutrals. Many items were marked down in the sale, although some remained at their original price.

READ MORE: Amazon slashes price of ‘fantastic’ eye cream hailed for ‘reducing puffiness and dark circles’

READ MORE: FatFace shoppers snap up ‘fantastic fit’ stylish straight-leg summer trousers in every colour

The first item that caught my eye was this Cream Twist Front Jacquard Polka Dot Top, priced at £35 and reminiscent of something you might find in River Island. The silky sleeveless top featured a classic polka dot print and a flattering twist front silhouette that would cinch you in, making it perfect for pairing with tailored trousers for the office, or dressing up with heels and leather trousers for a more glamorous look.

Nevertheless, I checked online for the product I noticed that it had a £10 discount, reducing its price to £25 on the website, reports the Mirror. At the time of writing, applying the code FLASH would knock the price down even further to £20 which emphasizes why it’s always a good idea to recheck online prices.

Then I discovered clothing pieces that could easily fit into Marks and Spencers collection, including a highly-rated Cotton Blend Polka Dot Midi Dress. Retailing at £42, this seems like a hot print pick for 2024 with M&S offering similar styles such as the Polka Dot Square Neck Midi Slip Dress priced at £39.50 while Nobodys Child sells the Polka Dot V-Neck Midi Tea Dress for £49.

Perfect for the warmer seasons due to its cool cotton make, this midi dress combines comfortable stretchy shirred details with short frill sleeves, not forgetting its useful side pockets. A customer who purchased it commented: “Stunning fit, looks great on. Fits perfect. Considering the other colours. Great for going away on hol does not crease.”

One happy shopper raved about a recent purchase, writing: “Pretty as the picture and colour as described. Bought the black and white polka dot dress as above and found the material soft, comfortable and flowy. So I bought the chocolate brown as well which is equally soft and comfortable but material is less flowy and thinner. Nevertheless still a pretty dress and I am pleased with both my purchases. Very retro for my age of 71 and will equally look good for any age.”

Roman’s Red Sleeveless Ombre Midi Dress also has a touch of Marks and Spencer about it, looking very similar to the Sienna Miller Back Detail Ombre Slip Dress, which costs £65 – double Roman’s sale price of £32. Ideal for a day at the beach, the dress boasts a sophisticated sleeveless cut with a flattering A-line shape that falls to a modest midi length. One satisfied customer said: “It’s so lovely flowing dress and the colours are gorgeous. I’m size 16. It fits me perfectly. Wish they had another colours.”

Frilled maxi skirts are having a moment in the sun right now, particularly billowy white styles, and this one is just perfect for a Greek Island holiday. It’s giving major Mamma Mia vibes and costs just £28 in store – though you can currently get an extra 20% off if you buy online.

The Blue Ornate Print Frilled Maxi Skirt is summer personified, with an elasticated waistband, feminine frilled ruffle hem and a stylish tile print. Team it with a simple white broderie blouse and sandals for a timeless daytime look.

My final selection from the store has to be this Purple Floral Print Puff Sleeve Chiffon Midi Dress, which reminded me of Nobody’s Child’s popular styles. The dress has been reduced from £58 to £45 and has received a 4.8-star rating from shoppers. One customer commented: “Bought for a wedding in summer. It’s long but looks good on,” while another wrote: “Lovely dress and nice colours. Haven’t worn it yet. Bought to wear it on a cruise,” and a third remarked: “Really pretty and comfortable and great value for money. Very good quality.”

The sophisticated dress is designed with short puff sleeves and elasticated cuffs, featuring a figure-skimming fit and flare silhouette, empire waist and stunning chiffon overlay. I believe it’s perfect for wedding guest attire or a day at the races. So, while the store is an excellent way to see some of the clothes, perhaps try them on and get a feel of the fit and quality, sometimes it actually still works out cheaper to shop online. There’s almost always a discount code you can apply, you can read customer reviews and you can order without even needing to leave the house. Find more summer styles from Roman here.