Is it finally time to retire my collection of knits for the season? Thinking about this blog post a few weeks ago, during the most mild winter in recent memory, I thought by now we would be well into spring-dressing mode. But alas, as she is known to do, Mother Nature threw us a curveball with some early-April snow. While the snow may not have stuck around, spring has been taking its sweet time. But now, with two absolutely glorious weekends of double-digit weather in the books (don’t forget your SPF kids!), I’m thinking it’s time to pack the knits away and slide into Pride & Prejudice Spring (is it obvious that the images in this post have been heavily inspired by a recent re-watch of my favourite period film?!).
This winter I made a real concerted effort to keep my skirts and dresses in rotation, and as someone who typically falls back on the old-faithful sweater-and-jeans combo for the 4-5 months of absolutely frigid temperatures we get in Toronto, this has been a major development for my personal style. But nothing is quite the same as baring your arms and ankles and feeling the sun on your skin. Since my love of dresses (in particular the ankle-grazing kind) is by now no secret, I thought I’d share some of my favourite spots for the absolute best ones, based on brands I’ve had the pleasure of adding to my wardrobe as well as some more blue-sky thinking types. This post is truly only scratching the surface but I wanted to keep this focused on brands I truly love and admire. So without further ado!
The Romantics
For me, the best, most fun dresses to wear are the ones that make me feel like a main character in a romantic period drama. From puff sleeves, to pretty little details, to stunning imagery that always inspires my own, these brands make me want to give my best ‘Elizabeth Bennet sprinting through a field with a bunch of flowers in-hand’ impression. Oh to be doing that right now!
Dôen: I’ve yet to meet a Dôen piece that I didn’t love, and their dresses in particular are some kind of magic. The most special details, beautiful fabrics, and vintage-inspired styles the likes of which I’ve yet to find elsewhere. An investment to be sure, but these are pieces I’m always excited to wear.
Rebecca Taylor: Think flouncy minis, puff sleeves, and the most romantic cuts. More on the special occasion end of the spectrum, these pieces are special to match.
Salter House: For living your Victorian ghost child fantasy, Salter House pieces just feel *pretty*. From lustrous black silks with empire waist à la Bridgerton and the Regency era, to crisp white cotton nighties, Salter House feels like romance you can touch.
Sea New York: If you have a hankering for pastel tones, elaborate embroidery, and feminine details, Sea NY is for you. One day I would love to wear one of their white eyelet midis on my honeymoon or something of the sort!
Something to Hold: A newer-to-me brand but one that I have truly fallen in love with over the last several months. For lovers of romantic pieces, but with a more minimal slant.
Shrimps: Lace, frills, and puff sleeves, oh my! The cuts and details of these dresses always put a smile on my face. Femininity to the nth degree!
Sandy Liang: Steeped in femininity and girlhood, Sandy Liang is one of the core originators behind the coquette trend that has taken over the internet over the past several months. I think the former Catholic school girl in me just has a subconscious affinity towards uniform-inspired pieces, although ours were nowhere near as cool as Sandy’s!
Simone Rocha: She needs no introduction, Simone’s line is the absolute definition of theatrical romance & femininity but done in a uniquely subversive way. There is truly no one like Simone and it’s a dream of mine to own one (or more than one!) of her pieces!
Molly Goddard: We’ll end this section with another that’s certainly on the more aspirational end of the spectrum. Frothy and romantic, Molly Goddard collections feature tulle, taffeta, and silk aplenty, with the most beautiful hand-smocked details and dramatic volume. Molly Goddard is another brand I dream of owning a piece from one day, but until then, I’ll be drawing infinite inspiration from her collections and imagery.
The Prints
My love for simple white and black dresses is quite clear to see, but to me there are few things more joyful than a beautiful print. From elaborate Liberty prints to tiny ditzy florals to picnic-perfect ginghams, a good pattern can make such an impact.
Loeffler Randall: Perhaps better known for their footwear, Loeffler Randall’s ready-to-wear has been a sleeper hit for me. They do that chintzy-English-countryside look so well, with delicate prints, ruffles, and oh-so-fun shapes.
Batsheva x Laura Ashley: A discussion about prints would be sorely lacking without Laura Ashley, and their collections with Batsheva are exuberant and simply joyful.
Alemais: An Aussie brand that do painterly patterns unlike anything else I’ve seen. From abstract prints resembling watercolour, to delicate sketches of holiday ephemera, these pieces feel like true works of art.
Meadows: Inspired by Victoriana and folklore, Meadows make the most special pieces with the prettiest details. Think ’70s-tinged florals, ginghams, and delicate embroidery.
Rouje: Drawing inspiration from vintage aesthetics, Jeanne Damas’ Rouje is the epitome of French girl chic.
Rixo: Hand-painted prints, vintage-inspired silhouettes, and beautiful fabrics, Rixo create timeless pieces that you’ll treasure for a lifetime.
The Jet-Setters
Curating a top-tier vacation capsule is something I take extremely seriously. I want to channel the energy of my destination, while still remaining true to myself and ensuring that getting dressed is simple. These brands represent the ease I always aspire to on vacation, with a little tinge of added drama (because going on vacation is always an excuse to be a little bit extra).
Agua by Agua Bendita: I struggled with whether to put Agua by Agua Bendita in the ‘Prints’ category or this one, because their prints are truly beautiful and one of a kind, but at the end of the day these dresses just scream “vacation!” so I felt I had no other option. Inspired by Latin American biodiversity and culture, these pieces are sophisticated and timeless.
Ciao Lucia: For the girl on eternal vacation, Ciao Lucia pieces feel nostalgic for the past but modern at the same time. These dresses feel absolutely made for a sunny destination, but are super wearable for real life too.
Faithfull the Brand: Inspired by the spirit of travel, Faithfull is one of my go-to’s for resortwear. The quintessential off-duty but superbly chic vibe, these pieces are simple and comfortable and made to be worn on repeat. Their campaign imagery is also some of the most beautiful if you’re looking for some warm weather inspiration right now.
Sleeper: A Ukrainian brand that just exudes relaxed sophistication. Their signature ‘Atlanta’ dress is a favourite of the online fashion set, and for good reason: it’s the perfect day-to-night, at-home-and-away piece. We love versatility!
Sézane: For urban destinations and otherwise, Sézane dresses feel made to be worn for a stroll along a cobblestoned road. For special occasions and daily life in equal measure.
Reformation: Another go-to of mine when it comes to holiday dressing in particular, Ref know how to make an excellent dress. From Italian vineyards to Côte d’Azure beaches to American prairies, these dresses are just made for vacation. I particularly love their linen for the warmer months.
Posse: Simplicity, quality, and timelessness are three words I’d use to describe Posse. Their pieces are effortlessly chic, infinitely wearable, and would form the perfect basis for your next travel capsule.
I loooooove this roundup! Makes me want to do something similar, it’s interesting, doing all these LTK links and blog posts and fit checks have made me much more conscious of what’s in my closet! And you’ve inspired me to wear my lighter colored dresses year round!!!
Thank you Allie! And you absolutely should, I just know you have some incredible pieces to share!