‘I’m a fashion writer – this store rivals M&S but is cheaper with special code’

After spending last summer mostly in a pair of Roman’s linen trousers, which recently made a comeback due to the warmer weather, Mirror fashion writer Bethan Shufflebotham decided to visit one of the retailer’s stores to find some new additions for her summer wardrobe.

During her trip, she not only found some beautiful styles for under £50 each, but also discovered a smarter way to shop. Writing for Mirror Online, she reveals a few of her top finds, as well as her top tips to get the best deals.

I’ve previously mentioned that I had a preconceived notion that Roman was a store aimed at older women – but in reality, the retailer offers a variety of designs to cater to different ages and personal tastes. While browsing through the racks, I came across some stunning 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.

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In the store, the clothes seem to be grouped by colour, which is helpful if you know which shades suit you best as you can go directly to the pinks, blues or neutrals. Many of the items had been marked down in the sale, however, some were still at their original price.

The first item I noticed was this Cream Twist Front Jacquard Polka Dot Top, priced at £35 and reminiscent of something you might find at River Island. The silky sleeveless top featured a classic polka dot print and a flattering twist front silhouette that would be perfect for wearing to work with some tailored trousers, or dressing up with heels and leather trousers for a more glamorous look.

However, when I sought the item online, I noticed that it had a £10 discount, down to £25 on the website. Plus, Roman regularly posts discount codes for shoppers to use on their site.

The code FLASH further reduced the price to £20 at the writing time, so it’s always beneficial to double-check and see if you can bag items cheaper online.

Then, I stumbled upon pieces that could easily fit into a Marks and Spencer collection, including this Cotton Blend Polka Dot Midi Dress, which fashion enthusiasts have rated five out of five. At £42, it is trending for 2024, given M&S has alternatives such as the Polka Dot Square Neck Midi Slip Dress for £39.50, while Nobody’s Child showcases a Polka Dot V-Neck Midi Tea Dress for £49.

Made from cooling cotton, this midi dress is an ideal outfit for the warmer months, providing comfort through its stretchy shirred detailing and short frill sleeves. Plus, it comes with handy side pockets.

One customer who purchased it exclaimed: “Stunning fit, looks great on. Fits perfect. Considering the other colours. Great for going away on hol does not crease.”

Another customer commented: “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 similar vibe to M&S’s Sienna Miller Back Detail Ombre Slip Dress, which is priced at £65 – twice the sale price of Roman’s dress at £32. This perfect beach dress is designed in a sophisticated sleeveless style with a flattering A-line shape that falls to a modest midi length.

One online shopper wrote: “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 currently trending, especially billowy white styles, and this one looks ready for a Greek Island holiday. It’s giving Mamma Mia vibes in the best way, and it’s only £28 at the store – though you can get an extra 20 per cent off online.

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

My final pick from the store is 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 a 4.8-star rating from shoppers.

One customer said: “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 added: “Really pretty and comfortable and great value for money. Very good quality.”

The sophisticated dress features short puff sleeves, elasticated cuffs, a figure-skimming fit and flare silhouette, an empire waist and a stunning chiffon overlay. I think it’s perfect for wedding guest attire or a day at the races.

While the store is a great way to see some of the clothes, 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.

Elsewhere, Nobody’s Child is selling this Multi Tie Dye Satin Ida Maxi Dress for £89 in gorgeous summery colours.

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