Dresses with grown-up hemlines, spring edition

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The theme this time around—and I didn’t realize I even had a theme until I took a look at all of these dresses together—is ease and comfort and a certain throw-it-on-and-go appeal. And isn’t that we’re all looking for in a dress as the weather turns warmer? Let’s start with the one I covet most intensely: this zebra-print is so good and somehow not-too-overwhelming, and I love the neckline—so graceful.

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You know how I like a dark floral.

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Just a really flattering shape—loose, but with enough definition not to come off too bulky.

twist front dress

This gauzy twist front dress is idling in my shopping cart even as I type. It looks so breezy, and drapes just right.

zara denim

Shirtdresses can be so unforgiving, but this one is so excellently flowy.

combo dress

Pre-styled for your convenience: this sweater-and-skirt combo dress.

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23 Thoughts on Dresses with grown-up hemlines, spring edition
    DeDe
    17 May 2016
    11:03am

    That Alasdair dress! I have been drooling over it for almost ever now. Beautiful, flattering shape (for me, anyway), great color, awesome texture. Love.

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    Susan G
    17 May 2016
    11:19am

    Hi Kim,
    I’ve been reading The Cool Factor and I just think it would be the best if you would put out a new book too! Any chance of it happening? Your blog is one I really look forward to reading.

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      Sara B
      17 May 2016
      11:58am

      I also agree this would be the best course of action.

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        Mary Alice
        17 May 2016
        1:28pm

        Ditto.

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          trish
          17 May 2016
          4:06pm

          Agreed!

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      y.k.
      17 May 2016
      7:23pm

      please kimfrance.

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        DeDe
        18 May 2016
        5:52pm

        Pleeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaase

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          KimFrance
          18 May 2016
          8:21pm

          It could happen, ladies! Stay tuned.

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      Mamavalveeta03
      23 May 2016
      11:50pm

      Looks like we’ve decided this is a MUST! Please consider it, Kim.

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    Viajera
    17 May 2016
    1:44pm

    The zebra print dress is quite something.

    What do people think about polyester though? Has it been completely rehabilitated or are we still suspicious? I would like to know if it is really different now or if it’s just hype. I distinctly recall wearing a lot of clothes that sure didn’t seem to “breathe.” Yet would someone design such a nice dress and then make it out of icky fabric? That seems unlikely.

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      DeDe
      17 May 2016
      2:50pm

      I’m curious about this, too. It seems like a lot of things on the market now are made from poly/viscose/acetate/raw plutonium, even luxury stuff that, for the price, you would expect to be silk. I kinda don’t want to be stuck going into my hotflash years with a closetful of items that could result in my untimely demise from drowning in my own sweat. Does anyone wanna weigh in on this?

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        DeDe
        17 May 2016
        2:51pm

        (Agreed that the dress is full-on hot-cha-cha-cha, though.)

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      c.w.
      17 May 2016
      3:31pm

      In the olden days polyester was famous for “retaining odors,” but I believe the fabric is much improved. However, even the thinest, airiest, gauziest polyester fabric seems to cause me to perspire so I avoid it, but I know other folks who can wear it with ease. Viscose is process wood pulp (cellulose) ergo a natural fabric (although this, too, can draw out the sweat for some).

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        DeDe
        18 May 2016
        5:55pm

        Oh that’s right, re: viscose – thanks for the reminder. It does seem somehow less yucky than some of the others! (Also, maybe this is weird, but I always think of you as Cee-dub!)

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          Mamavalveeta03
          23 May 2016
          11:52pm

          Gotcha’ D Diddy.

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      Lorange
      17 May 2016
      6:55pm

      While I have not spent luxury dollars on luxury polyester, I doubt I would risk it, even if I were a millionaire. Polyester plus my armpits = horrible odors. I’m sure I’m not alone in this experience. I only wear polyester in activewear (body odor expected after running several miles, wicking action much appreciated) or in items that don’t touch my armpits.

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    trisha
    17 May 2016
    4:08pm

    FYI…if that cross front dress doesn’t work out, you might try this Tibi number: https://www.tibi.com/shop/structured-crepe-sculpted-dress. I picked it up in the (unbelievable) Tibi outlet in St. Simons Island, SC. for a mere $80!!!! (Along with quite a few other pieces.) Suffice it to say, the length is grown up, the fabric doesn’t wrinkle and I think you might like it too. Thanks for these recommendations. I love the dark silk floral – one of my favorite ideas for summer dresses.

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      trish
      17 May 2016
      4:10pm

      P.S. I should mention I’m only 5′ 2″ so this dress whilst looking short on the Amazonian model, actually hits me right above the knee in a most grown up way.

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    Hick from Styx
    17 May 2016
    6:31pm

    Thank you for hemlines below the knee. I’m not 16 years old any more, but the retail world seems to think so. Most of what’s on the rack is just not going to work for me.

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    Cindy
    17 May 2016
    8:49pm

    I just ordered the Lou & Grey dress the other day. Had tried it on in the coral color in the store and loved the fit. It was see through in the coral, though quite a pretty summer color.

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    Rachel D
    18 May 2016
    11:56pm

    These wonderful dresses reminded me of an equally wonderful shop in LA that makes great, grown-up-hemmed dresses: Matrushka Construction (in Silverlake; matrushka.com – I swear, I am just a customer.) They are amazing: forgiving, stylish, and sexy. Even though I am definitely of a certain age, I get compliments from men not related to me when I wear them. Also, too: Kimfrance, write a book!

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    KimberSam
    19 May 2016
    7:17pm

    I bought a sweater/shirt combo dress from &Other Stories a few months back and I wear the heck out of it!

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    Mamavalveeta03
    23 May 2016
    11:54pm

    The Alisdair dress is perfect! Hooray for grown-up hemlines!

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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.

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