@candicelake in the Kalita Brigitte Dress in caramel. (Psst it has pockets!)
If you’re in a lockdown funk and find yourself visiting your closet as though it were a mausoleum, here are five gorgeous dresses to lift your mood. As they are all floaty to make the most of incoming Spring, they will not only have you swanning around the house in comfort and style, but will also hide a multitude of - ahem - lockdown sins.
Pictured above is the iconic 100% silk Brigitte dress by Kalita which has enjoyed multiple iterations of colour across many seasons. Some of my favourites have been the biscay green and pacific blue. The latest is the ‘soleil’ blush colour which is a collaboration between Kalita and Hannah Strafford-Taylor. You will feel so glamorous and sexy in this billowy dress that, if picked up by the wind, you will be transported directly to Greece where the label’s muse resides - a woman with a t-shirt tied around her head as a turban and a wild flowing dress.
Pair this with our superfine kid mohair and merino wool blend knit to keep the sea breeze at bay, and feel warm and safe in the knowledge that the small, all female team behind Kalita keeps a close eye on both the production process and the working conditions of all those who touch the garments. Read about their commitment to sustainability and ethical production here.
The Serena Dress from Su, Paris and Istanbul
The Serena dress from Su (Paris and Istanbul) in cotton voile will make you think you’re wandering around the Marais, instead of how long it will be before you actually can. For the lucky Parisians, before Summer’s over, buy this and similar dresses from the label @lebonmarcherivegauche. For Australians heading into Summer, these are stocked at Island Luxe in Bangalow @islandluxeofficial. For everyone else, inquire though the label’s instagram.
Enjoy final reductions on Danish label Skall Studio’s Summer collection at Gather and See. The final few items that were the stars of the northern hemi’s Summer season are still there for the taking, and all expertly crafted, organic cotton styles you will wear season after season.
Oak Meadow Kalina dress in blush peach
This modern take on the prairie dress has us not-so-secretly enjoying the slowing down of lockdown life. Oak Meadow is an ethical and sustainable label that ‘celebrates mother nature and the beauty and strength inherent in all women.’
Says the Australian designer, Madeleine Lee, "As a designer, I have consciously chosen to support sustainable and ethical manufacturing in Bali, Turkey and Peru. I create small collections of unique clothing and I encourage you to purchase with awareness, wear your Oak Meadow through the seasons, and wash gently so it lasts for years to come. We’re in the midst of a fashion revolution and I’m proud to be doing all I can to ensure you wear clothes that are created with the wellness of the earth in mind." Shop this and other ethical fashion and beauty brands, at The Slow Mode.
Touareg Dress from Marrakshi Life
The list wouldn’t be complete without one of the incredible, decadent creations by Marrakshi Life. These statement pieces are hand woven and made to order in the label’s Marrakech Atelier. Their loveable Touareg Dress has a Nero Collar V-Neck, and is crafted from 100% cotton. Its relaxed and voluminous silhouette is gathered below the collar and on the cuffs to create dramatic volume on the sleeves and back.
If you order direct, you will pay full price which includes worldwide express shipping and takes up to two weeks for shipment from the order date. Sometimes you can find them in the sales on Matches Fashion, but that just doesn’t feel as good! Not only is it unlikely you will run into anyone else in your house wearing one of these, but also some day when we’re out and about as they are still relatively rare treasures.
For more lovely Spring/Summer dress inspiration, head over and read about Bassike’s Resort 2022, here.