Earlier in the year I attended London Edge to preview the SS16 releases from many different vintage inspired brands. Having featured Love Ur Look here on the blog last summer, I was eager to drop by their booth to see their new offerings for this season and to meet their owner and designer Ronke in person, who was even more lovely and charming than I had anticipated. As we chatted on and on about our favourite aspects of vintage styles, my eyes couldn’t help but roam the racks of new pretties on display around us. The Mexicana dress was an immediate stand-out for me and I couldn’t help but fawn a little over the print.

I took home a little postcard showing off some of their upcoming pieces, the Mexicana dress pictured front and centre, and pinned it to the magnetic chalk board I keep beside my computer, my blogging and reminders board, just in case there was any chance I could forget that dress. There wasn’t. I couldn’t wait for it to come out. And now, finally, the time has come. Let’s see if you’re as obsessed with it as I am.

Dress: Mexicana Dress C/O Love Ur Look
Bangles: Red Carved Bangle / Narrow Teal Carved bangle by Splendette
Wooden Bangles: Thrifted
Hair Flower: Red Holly Hibiscus by Daisy Jean Florals

Obvious as it is, the Mexicana dress takes heavy inspiration from the Mexican styles and culture which were widely represented in vintage novelty styles of the 50s. The fact that this dress features my very favourite colours made it a no-brainer as to why it immediately stood out so much for me, but I love that even with the vibrant contrasting colour combination of the red, white and blue together it still manages to be a novelty print that’s not too in your face. It features alternating strips of differing prints, both depicting Mexican-inspired peoples and landscapes, one in a watercolour-esque multi-colour print and the other only black outline drawings on solid red. It’s sweet and colourful and delightful, and I love it.

Love UR Look are so good at paying special attention to detail in their design process, especially when it comes to bustline structures and sleeves. Almost all of their dresses showcase a unique and unexpected design feature, whether it’s a high necked dress that transitions into a triangular buttoned structure in the back, a spiked, atomic structured neckline reminiscent of stairways, or this, a style that feels like two necklines in one. On this dress the neckline is somewhat alike a collar sitting atop a straight bust line, providing both modesty and style all at once. The contrasting stripes of the collar make it really stand out, while also complimenting the striped nature of the print that runs throughout the rest of the dress.

Made from 100% cotton and fully lined, this dress is a great breathable option for the summer months. It comes with a fabric belt, which I think works beautifully with the Mexicana feel of the dress, but you can remove it or replace it with a standard belt if you want to take the look in a different direction. I got this dress in an L and it flat measures 33 inches in the waist, with enough give to stretch to 35 inches flat. It has a full flared skirt that’s 25.5 inches long but it’s not a full circle so it will only take a medium volume petticoat, though it drapes wonderfully without one for a more casual, easy look. It closes with a back zip and I was pleased to find that the capped sleeves weren’t too tight on me.

The Mexicana dress is available from today for pre-order from Love UR Look in sizes XS-XXL1 (equivalent to UK sizes 6-20) for £69. Pre-orders will begin shipping out on 17th June but the dress officially releases 28th July with the rest of the Mexicana range, so if you miss the pre-order window, don’t panic, it will be in stock fully from the end of July. I expect this dress to be one of Love UR Look’s bestsellers for this season, so personally I suggest that you get your eager little pinup fingers on it as soon as possible if you love it like I do.

If you’d like to check out Love UR Look’s designs in person, they’re part of an awesome pop up shop event happening this Friday 10th June through to the 14th. Taking place at London’s East End’s Truman Brewery (91 Brick Lane, E1 6QR), Love UR Look will be joined by a collective of 5 other vintage inspired brands, Lady Jane Vintage, Lady K Loves, Silly Old Seadogm Inna Box, and 20th Century Cloth to offer you a full showcase of clothing, accessories, and homewear and lifestyle products from the 50s. It’s bound to be a wonderful event, so if any of you end up going please to tell Ronke I said hi as I’m so sad I won’t be able to make it to join in on the fun.