Long floral dress with a V-neck and lace

A maxi dress in light voile, floral print on a cream ground, buttoned V-neck and lace finishes.

This long dress plays on two registers: a fitted bodice, buttoned from the neckline down to the hem, and a very flared skirt that falls to the ankles. The woven polyester voile stays light and supple, with a slightly see-through effect that gives the whole thing movement.

The cut

The waist is set high, at the empire line, and elasticated at the back: it marks just under the bust without gripping, and adapts to small variations in body shape. The V-neck is deep, underlined with a contrasting braid. The long sleeves are puffed then drawn in at the wrist, finished with a lace trim echoed at the hem.

The total length runs from 135 cm in S to 139 cm in 2XL. On a height of about 1.70 m, the dress comes to the ankle.

Details

• V-neck edged with a contrasting braid
• Row of small buttons from the neckline to the hem
• Topstitched empire waistband, waist elasticated at the back
• Lace at the bottom of the sleeves and on the hem
• Floral print and multicoloured paisley motifs on a cream ground

How to wear it

It is an easy ceremony dress: a wedding as a guest, a christening, a summer lunch. With flat sandals and a basket bag by day, with fine heels and a clutch in the evening. As the voile is fine, plan on a slip or a light underskirt if you want more opacity. A denim jacket or a fine cardigan is enough for spring evenings.

Woven polyester creases little: the dress copes well with a journey in a suitcase.

Key points

• Light polyester voile, fluid and full drape
• Empire waist elasticated at the back, comfortable all day
• Lace finishes on the sleeves and the hem
• Decorative buttons from the neckline all the way down
• Maxi length to the ankle, from S to 2XL
• A material that creases little, practical when travelling

Fabric and care

Composition: 100% polyester. Warp and weft weave, light semi-sheer voile. Lace finishes at the cuffs and the hem.

Care: Hand wash in cold water, no bleach. Do not machine dry: dry flat or on a hanger, in the shade. Iron at low temperature, on the reverse for the lace. Dry cleaning is to be avoided.

Size

Measurements taken flat, tolerance of 1 to 3 cm. S: bust 82 cm, elasticated waist 64 cm, shoulders 32.5 cm, sleeve 67 cm, length 135 cm. M: 86 / 68 / 34 / 68 / 136 cm. L: 90 / 72 / 35.5 / 69 / 137 cm. XL: 94 / 76 / 37 / 70 / 138 cm. 2XL: 98 / 80 / 38.5 / 71 / 139 cm. The elasticated waist provides a few extra centimetres of ease. If your bust measurement is at the upper limit of a size, take the size up for a more comfortable bodice.

Good to know

• Is the fabric too see-through for a ceremony? The voile is fine and lets light through, especially on the skirt. A slip or a light-coloured underskirt settles the question and does not weigh the drape down.
• Is polyester too warm in summer? It is a light voile, not a thick lining. The full skirt lets the air circulate. In real heat, the long sleeves remain better suited to the morning and the evening.
• How do I choose between two sizes? Go by the bust measurement, it is the most constraining one: the waist is elasticated and adjusts by itself. If in doubt, go up a size.