This London Dress Brand Is Adored by Princesses and Fashion Insiders Alike

If you see a shot of someone on Instagram twirling around in an undulating wave of fluttery tulle and sparkly sequins, I guarantee you the dress or skirt will be from Needle & Thread London. It has become near-sacrilege to own one of their detailed, voluminous, ultra-pretty pieces and not take to the feed to showcase the movement that is naturally crafted into the seams. 

I remember when Needle & Thread first burst onto to scene with their signature sequined midis. Founded by Hannah Coffin—who I'm sure I emailed back and forth with around the time of the launch in 2013!—they were the first brand to offer up highly decorative pieces at a contemporary price point. At the time you would either have to splash out an extraordinary amount for formalwear or opt for something really sub-par and uninspiring from the high street. Thanks to the brand's vast popularity, Needle & Thread has expanded its offering by vast amounts since inception but the aesthetic and ethos has remained steadfast—that's unashamedly frothy and charming, but sustainably-minded and conscious (they are one of the few fashion brands to have been accredited with The Butterfly Mark by Positive Luxury). You will now find separates (the cardigans and full, swishy skirt combinations are particularly popular), loungewear and bridal in the mix, as well as a comprehensive range of extended sizing options—many styles now go up to a size 22. I'd love to see more sizes added in, as formalwear options in the plus market are really few and far between, and Needle & Thread offers a solid investment opportunity for any wardrobe.

Only this week were we reminded of the power of Needle & Thread when Kate Middleton was spotted for the second time wearing a festive red be-sequined number from the brand for an appearance on ITV. She first wore this swishy, ankle-length dress in 2020 to a state event at Buckingham Palace, and therein lies the magic of Needle & Thread's pieces: they are timeless and elegant, safe enough to pull out every season but still sufficiently "wow" to keep the compliments coming at a party. In addition, I can attest to the feel and fit of a Needle & Thread dress being a cut above the rest: I have now tried on various styles over the years and they have always been a good fit for my hourglass figure. 

Holly Willoughby owns the very same dress as the Princess of Wales, and is yet another A-list fan of the label. Appealing to a cross-section of personal styles, Kate and Holly join the likes of Fearne Cotton, Princess Eugenie, Sarah Jessica Parker and Paris Hilton, as well as a host of international fashion influencers. Keep scrolling to see Needle & Thread on the fashion set, and then shop the latest piece for yourself—you'll be making a wise investment.