A beige that warms when light falls on it
This dress changes colour depending on the time of day. In the shade, it is a calm sand beige. As soon as raking light hits it, the satin returns a golden reflection that makes it pass for an evening piece. This is the nature of unlined satin viscose: the colour doesn't move, it's the surface that works.
Wearing Experience
- A clean round neck: it sits at the base of the neck and leaves the collarbones exposed, without baring the shoulder.
- Pleated drapes on one shoulder only: they start from one side and cross the bodice diagonally, which gives amplitude to the front without emphasising the chest. The other shoulder remains perfectly smooth.
- A gathered waist at the back: the waist seam is clean at the front and gathered at the back, which accommodates differences in waist circumference from one figure to another. No belt, no tie, no clasp.
- A front slit: the skirt panel crosses over at the front and its hemmed edge runs down to the hem. It's this that opens as you walk, in line with your stride.
Craftsmanship & Material
Composition: 100% viscose. On a satin, pure viscose is a more demanding choice than a blend with polyester: it is heavier, it drapes better and its reflection is softer, but it must be washed in cold water and dried flat, otherwise it stretches. This weight is what gives the skirt its A-line shape and its long pleats, whereas a synthetic satin would create sharp, shiny breaks.
The construction is based on three points. First the shoulder drape: instead of cutting a fitted bodice with bust darts, the dress gets its volume from pleats mounted on one shoulder only, which spread diagonally across the front and fade towards the opposite waist. This is what makes it wearable on very different figures, and what explains why the other shoulder remains perfectly smooth. Then the waist: clean and positioned horizontally at the front, it is gathered at the back, where no one looks at it but where it does all the adjustment work. Finally the front panel: the skirt is not slit with scissors, it is wrap-over. An entire panel passes over the skirt and its hemmed edge falls straight down the front. When stationary the dress appears closed, when walking the opening happens naturally, in line with your stride. A slit sewn on the side seam does the opposite: it gapes when standing and serves no purpose when you move forward.
Styling Tips
- With nude thin-heeled sandals and small earrings, for a wedding or reception.
- With flat leather sandals and a basket, the golden beige works perfectly in a daytime version.
- With a short black jacket and court shoes, to make the dress more formal.
It joins the other pieces in our long dresses section.
On the behaviour of satin viscose, its drape and what distinguishes it from synthetic satin, see our viscose and polyester comparison. In the same register of fluid satin, the sage green satin midi dress with cowl neckline.
Care for Your Piece
Delicate wash at 30 °C, by hand preferably, inside out. No bleach, no tumble drying, no dry cleaning. Viscose loses its strength when wet: never wring the dress, press it between two towels then dry it flat or on a wide hanger. Iron on low heat on the inside only, an iron placed on the outside would permanently gloss the satin.
