Long embroidered dress with a mandarin collar

A ceremony dress in tonal embroidered tulle, high collar, long sleeves and a fluid skirt down to the ankles.

This long dress plays on a tonal embroidered tulle: the floral motif reads in the light, with no contrast of colour. The result stays discreet and dressed up, suited to a daytime ceremony as well as to a wedding.

The cut

A fitted bodice closed by a button placket, a high waist underlined by a satin tie belt, then an A-line skirt that opens out to the ankles. The high-set waist lengthens the silhouette, and the fullness of the skirt leaves complete freedom of movement, including seated through a long meal.

The mandarin collar rises at the nape, the long sleeves are straight and slightly flared at the wrist. It is a covering piece: shoulders, arms and legs stay dressed, which makes it easy to wear in a place of worship or at a formal event.

The finishes

• Tonal floral embroidery over the whole dress
• Scalloped sleeve edges and hem
• Removable satin belt, to tie at the front or at the side
• Back fastening at the top of the bodice
• Opaque lining to the knees, lower skirt in translucent embroidered tulle

How to wear it

With nude court shoes or fine-heeled sandals for a wedding. A rigid clutch and fine earrings are enough: the embroidery already holds the eye. For a mid-season ceremony, add a short unfitted jacket that stops above the belt.

Good to know

The embroidered tulle is a polyester: it creases barely at all and copes well with a full day of wear. It does, however, call for a gentle hand wash, to preserve the relief of the embroidery and the scallops.

Key points

• Tonal embroidery over the whole dress, a discreet couture effect
• High waist and A-line skirt that lengthen the silhouette
• Removable satin belt to adjust how much the waist is defined
• A covering dress: high collar, long sleeves, ankle length
• Opaque lining to the knees, no awkward see-through effect
• Five sizes, from S to 2XL

Fabric and care

Composition: Embroidered tulle, 100% polyester, shuttle woven. Matching opaque polyester lining to the knees. Belt in polyester satin.

Care: Hand wash in cold water, with a gentle detergent. No bleach. Do not tumble dry. Dry flat or on a hanger, in the shade. Gentle ironing at low temperature, on the reverse or with a pressing cloth, avoiding the embroidered areas and the scallops. Dry cleaning is not advised. Wash the satin belt separately.

Size

Garment measurements taken flat, tolerance of 1 to 3 cm. S: bust 88 cm, waist 72 cm, shoulders 38 cm, sleeve 58 cm, length 130 cm. M: bust 92 cm, waist 76 cm, shoulders 39 cm, sleeve 59 cm, length 131 cm. L: bust 96 cm, waist 80 cm, shoulders 40 cm, sleeve 60 cm, length 132 cm. XL: bust 100 cm, waist 84 cm, shoulders 41 cm, sleeve 61 cm, length 133 cm. 2XL: bust 104 cm, waist 88 cm, shoulders 42 cm, sleeve 62 cm, length 134 cm. The bodice is fitted: if your bust measurement is close to the upper limit of a size, take the size up. As the skirt is full, only the top determines the choice. The length is designed for a height of 1.65 m to 1.70 m with a small heel.

Good to know

• Is the dress see-through? The bodice, the sleeves and the skirt down to the knees are lined in a matching opaque fabric. Only the lower skirt, below the knee, stays in translucent embroidered tulle.
• Is polyester too warm for a summer wedding? The tulle is fine and the skirt very full, which lets the air circulate. The lining stops at the knees. For an event in full sun, prefer a late-afternoon ceremony or a shaded venue.
• Is hand washing really necessary? Yes. Embroidery on tulle and scalloped edges are damaged in the drum. A hand wash in cold water, without spinning, preserves the relief of the motif.