Daywear Lingerie, Without the Costume Look
The pin tucks and lace insertions come from household textiles and 19th-century day chemises. This midi dress reinterprets them with restraint: a round neckline edged with fine lace, a vertical lace insertion at the centre of the bodice framed by three pin tucks on each side, which continue down the skirt to the hem. The long sleeves are puffed and fitted at the cuff, the waist is marked by a flat band at the front and smocked at the back. A romantic white dress that remains understated.
The Wearing Experience
- A waist that adapts: the waistband is flat and neat at the front, while the smocked back moves with you and shapes the dress without any closure
- Covered arms, yet free: the long sleeves gain volume under the shoulder and fit at the cuff, so they do not restrict movement
- A vertical line: the pin tucks and the central lace insertion elongate the silhouette from neckline to hem
- A seasonal length: the skirt ends at mid-calf and works equally well bare-legged or with boots
Craftsmanship & Material
The fabric is a flamed viscose cloth: irregular yarns, thicker in places, create fine horizontal lines that give the cloth the look of a slightly rustic natural canvas, with the softness and gentle sheen of viscose. This texture has the advantage of making the white less flat and of concealing the creasing from wear better than a smooth cloth.
The pin tucks are very small folds stitched along their entire length, a few millimetres each: they are formed on the flat fabric before the piece is cut, which requires allowing extra fabric width. Between them, the lace insertion is a band of lace set between two fabric edges, which remains slightly openwork. The same lace trims run along the front and back armholes, and the neckline closes at the back with a small slit fastened by a single covered button. This romantic white dress spirit is explored in our article on the revival of the romantic white dress.
Styling Tips
- White ballet flats and small pearl earrings: the version most faithful to the spirit of the dress.
- Brown riding boots and a chunky knit cardigan: the dress moves into autumn with a country look.
- Slim camel leather belt worn over the flat waistband, with a basket: for a picnic or a summer market.
It complements our selection of white dresses and fluid dresses.
Caring for Your Piece
Gentle wash at 30 °C or by hand, inside out, with whites only. No bleach, which yellows viscose and lace. No tumble drying. Dry on a hanger, smoothing the pin tucks by hand. Iron on a medium setting on the reverse side, following the pin tucks lengthwise to keep them straight.
