Midi dress with a two-piece effect, pleated skirt

A dress that mimics the jacket-and-pleated-skirt duo, fitted at the bodice and very fluid at the bottom.

This dress plays on the illusion of a two-piece: a structured top with a mandarin collar, buttoned with gold hardware, and a sunray-pleated skirt that takes over at the waist. All in a single piece, to pull on without thinking in the morning.

The cut

The bodice is fitted, built on princess seams visible at the back: they follow the line of the body without gripping. The shoulders are lightly structured, the long sleeves set in. At the waist, a fine matching belt with a rectangular buckle, held by buttoned loops, defines the silhouette. A short peplum softens the transition over the hips, with two buttoned pocket flaps.

Below, the skirt is fully pleated with fine pressed pleats. It opens out and moves with every step. Midi length: 128 cm in S, up to 131 cm in XL, measured from the top of the shoulder to the bottom of the skirt.

The fabric

A matte polyester crêpe, opaque, of a comfortable weight (about 605 g in size S). It holds the skirt's permanent pleats and does not take creases through the day: you sit down, you stand up, the dress stays crisp. The finish is matte, with no shine.

How to wear it

• At the office, with low-heeled ankle boots and a straight coat.
• For a professional meeting, belt buckled, sleeves falling, with no jewellery other than the gold buttons.
• For a daytime occasion, with court shoes and a structured bag.
• In winter, over opaque tights and with round-toed boots.

The spirit is retro-military revisited: gold buttons, high collar, clean lines. Dressed up without being solemn.

Details

• High mandarin collar
• Row of gold buttons at the front
• Fine matching belt, rectangular buckle, buttoned loops
• Short peplum
• Two buttoned pocket flaps at the waist
• Back fastening by a small hook at the neckline

Key points

• A jacket + pleated skirt effect in a single piece to pull on
• Waist defined by a fine matching belt
• Sunray-pleated skirt, permanent pressed pleats
• Matte, opaque crêpe that does not crease through the day
• Covering midi length, 128 to 131 cm depending on the size
• Careful finishes: gold buttons, mandarin collar, pocket flaps

Fabric and care

Composition: 100% polyester. Matte crêpe fabric, opaque, unlined. Permanent pressed pleats on the skirt. Buttons and belt buckle in a gold tone.

Care: Machine wash at 30 °C, delicate cycle, inside out and preferably in a net bag to protect the buttons. No tumble dryer: heat can relax the pleats. Dry on a hanger, with the skirt hanging freely; the pleats fall back into place on their own. Ironing is generally unnecessary; if needed, a gentle iron on the reverse, without dwelling on the pleats. No bleach; dry cleaning is possible.

Size

Measurements taken flat on a sample, tolerance of 1 to 2 cm. S: bust 96 cm, shoulders 39.5 cm, sleeve 62 cm, total length 128 cm. M: bust 100 cm, shoulders 40.5 cm, sleeve 63 cm, total length 129 cm. L: bust 106 cm, shoulders 41.5 cm, sleeve 64 cm, total length 130 cm. XL: bust 112 cm, shoulders 42.5 cm, sleeve 65 cm, total length 131 cm. The bodice is fitted: if you are between two sizes or have a fuller bust, take the size up — the belt will take up the ease at the waist. As the skirt is sunray pleated, it stays full in every size.

Good to know

• Polyester — isn't it hot, and doesn't it breathe badly? This is a matte crêpe, not a fine satin: it is opaque, holds its shape and wears well from autumn to spring. On heated office days, a long crêpe sleeve stays comfortable. In high summer it will be too covering, and we say so.
• Will the skirt's pleats flatten in the wash? The pleats are heat pressed and permanent. They hold as long as you avoid the tumble dryer and too hot an iron. Wash at 30 °C, dry on a hanger letting the skirt hang: it takes its shape back by itself.
• Will the midi length make me look shorter if I am petite? The total length is 128 cm in S, measured from the shoulder. As the waist is marked high by the belt, the leg looks longer. With a low-heeled ankle boot, the balance is good even under 1.65 m.