Lace top and long pleated skirt set

A two-piece ceremony outfit: a fitted floral lace top and a sunray-pleated skirt falling below the calf.

This set is made up of a floral lace top and a long pleated skirt, designed to be worn together. It is a guest outfit: a wedding, a christening, a spring ceremony, a dressed-up lunch. You put it on, and you are ready.

The top

The floral lace covers the whole piece, sleeves included. The long sleeves stay sheer, the bodice is lined. The square neckline is edged with a scallop, and a long row of small decorative buttons runs down the front.

The cut is frankly fitted. The shoulders are slightly puffed, the waist is defined, and a pleated peplum flares just below the waist: that is what structures the silhouette. At the back, corset-style lacing adjusts with a cord, and an invisible zip makes dressing easier.

The skirt

High-waisted, in sunray-pleated voile of the chiffon type. The pleating starts at the waist and opens out below the calf. The hem ripples as you walk: it is the piece that gives the set its movement.

How to wear it

• As it is, with nude court shoes or low-heeled sandals, for a ceremony.
• The top on its own over wide trousers or raw jeans, to defuse the dressed-up side.
• The skirt on its own with a plain vest top or a fine ribbed jumper.
• A light trench or a short unstructured jacket over the top for mid-season.

Good to know

Three pastel colourways: pink, beige, blue. The real shades are a little deeper than in the studio photos, which are strongly lit. Four sizes, from M to 2XL.

Key points

• A coordinated top + skirt set, with no matching to work out
• Floral lace over the whole top, sleeves included
• Waist marked by the back lacing and the pleated peplum
• Lined bodice, long sleeves: a covering ceremony outfit
• Sunray-pleated skirt with a fluid drape, length below the calf
• The two pieces can also be worn separately

Fabric and care

Composition: Exact composition not communicated by the workshop; we prefer not to invent it. By touch and drape: lined floral lace for the top, fine pleated voile of the chiffon type for the skirt. Both materials are light and non-stretch.

Care: Hand wash in cold water, or machine wash at 30 °C in a net bag, delicate cycle. No tumble dryer: the pleating and the lace do not survive it. Dry flat or on a hanger, in the shade. Iron at low temperature on the reverse, avoiding the skirt's pleating, which falls back into place on its own as it dries hanging. Remove the lacing cord before washing if you can.

Size

Sizes M, L, XL and 2XL. The measurements below concern the top, taken flat, once made up (the workshop does not supply measurements for the skirt, whose high waist is elasticated and adapts). M: bust 88 cm, waist 76 cm, shoulders 33 cm, sleeve 64 cm, length 59 cm. L: bust 92, waist 80, shoulders 34, sleeve 65, length 60. XL: bust 96, waist 84, shoulders 35, sleeve 66, length 61. 2XL: bust 100, waist 88, shoulders 36, sleeve 67, length 62. The top runs fitted and the material does not stretch: if your bust or waist measurement is close to the upper limit of a size, take the next one. The back lacing lets you take a few centimetres in, not gain them. In the photos, the model is 1.70 m for 48 kg (80/60/88) and wears a small size.

Good to know

• Is the sheer lace on the sleeves wearable at a ceremony? The bodice is lined; only the sleeves stay in unlined lace. The arm shows faintly, no more. If you prefer more coverage, an invisible arm liner or a light bolero is enough.
• I am between two sizes — which should I take? The size up. The top is very fitted and the lace does not stretch. The back lacing will let you draw it in as you wish, which a size that is too tight will not forgive.
• Will the skirt's pleating hold over time? It holds if you avoid the tumble dryer and direct ironing. Dried hanging, the skirt finds its pleats again by itself. That is the only real precaution to take.