Jun 07, 2018 - Shopping An embarrassment of floral dresses, part 1
My favorite floral dress ever came into my life at a San Francisco vintage store in 1988. It was silk, and midnight blue with tiny red roses, and it fit me perfectly. I wore it literally into the ground, and then just kept wearing it, even as it wore through in some spots and sprouted a tiny rip at the shoulder, because I was in my twenties and shopped in vintage stores, and all my clothes were trashed, to varying degrees. Eventually, the dress started falling apart in meaningful ways that even I couldn’t ignore, and I had to no choice but to retire it. But it has lived on in my mind for all these years—no doubt growing more magnificent through the haze of memory—and I’ve never found a worthy successor. Some of the following come close, though. First up: of course I love the bold, poppy green here.
A slightly longer silk option.
Such a flattering waistline on this one.
I dig how clean and simple this is, and the green and blue print is quite winning.
The flounces on the skirt make this a particularly feminine choice.
I always like florals on a dark background.
This caftan dress looks hugely comfortable.
A quite well-priced choice, in an easy shape.
I love a peony.
A gorgeous, curve-hugging option from Veronica Beard that is nicely marked down.
The print here is so fun and retroish.
I like the deep neckline here (check out this plunge bra that makes it wearable) but if it’s too much for you, or you’re a busty lady, there’s always the option of wearing a slip underneath.
I like the juxtaposition here between the hippie girl print and the clean silhouette.
Such a good weekend option.
This is so effortless, but it makes a big statement. I’d throw it on with some Chuck Taylors.
Kim France
I was born in Houston, Texas in 1964 and have lived in New York City since 1988. I had a long career in magazines, working at Sassy, Elle, New York, and Spin, and in 2000, I founded Lucky magazine, which I edited for ten years.
I had a similar vintage dress experience. Mine was from the Goodwill in Seattle bought in the 80’s for $2.49. Even when I retired it I didn’t give it up, but put it in storage. The best dress EVER.
After swearing off florals I bought a floral dress this spring from LACAUSA:
https://www.lacausaclothing.com/products/house-dress-navy
And I love it.
So now you tempt me with these glorious choices!! The blue green print, the hippie girl and the pale yellow dresses are now all on my shopping list. Oy and Egad.
On the off chance you see this, how voluminous is the LACAUSA dress? It looks great but can’t tell if it will end up wearing me.
Love the Hinge dress and the pale yellow & Other Stories one is the epitome of a summery dress. I bought the last one in the post from Mango when you included it in March. You’re right – effortless, great colors, but not many sizes left.
I love a small floral, but the large ones overwhelm me visually. I want people to notice my face and not my floral. Thanks!!
Such great choices and colors. Wish I had a life that goes with these dresses.
I really like quite a few of these!
I also mourn the loss of a perfect vintage dress, this one from the 1940s, with that great 40s-era cut, in a wonderful, fluid rayon. Dusky purple with floral print. My next love was a yellow rayon floral Norma Kamali with a similar vibe.
Although I don’t wear dresses much these days, I am always alert to dresses that remind me of those dresses. I have that Sea dress in the green color way from last year and it has served me well. Can be worn beachside with sandals or out to dinner with heels. I love that Veronica Beard, but that’s definitely a dress up dress.
Faithful the Brand has put out a couple cute dresses this year, and they’re all pretty reasonably priced. I might buy that red one, and just wear a bandeau underneath.
Love the Veronica Beard, but don’t need it/nowhere to wear it. I’m surprised you didn’t make the connection, Kim – isn’t the Markus Lupfer print vaguely Libertyish? So pretty. I have one Marcus Lupfer dress and it’s beautifully made and cut, TTS. No offense to anyone who would wear the Hinge number as a dress, but I might order it to sleep in. It has the requisite neckline buttons for husband easy access. TMI?
I’ve seen that last dress in Mango and decided against it, and now I might be regretting that decision.
I’d love to see a picture of you in your favourite dress. Do you think you could find one?
Ditto. Or just of the dress too. I am very nosy. I like to see the things people talk about. Even a napkin sketch.
These are interesting. I haven’t worn a dress or skirt in forever. Not sure what that means. One thing is … I like how silk crepe? looks, but not how it feels on. For some reason I feel like it will make me feel sweaty if I wear it, though I don’t know why I think that since I only rarely ever do wear that fabric. Whereas silk knits are my fave. Oh well. Maybe it is too hot here for the crepe.
Does anyone know how Mango sizing works? It appears that dresses are only available in 2, 4, 6, and 8 — so am wondering if it’s a brand-specific code, as with labels that use 1, 2, and 3? Or does Mango literally only sell clothes in sizes 2 through 8? Thank you!
I’ve never bought from them, but if you click on the “Discover Your Size” link on the page with that last dress, it asks you a bunch of questions (height, weight, shape, age) to find your ideal size in their clothes. I answered them and wound up being my usual size.
I am open to the idea of floral but in reality I haven’t worn a floral print in more than 20 years. That last one is pretty cute though!