I always get excited about two features of Autumn-Winter fashion every year when the season comes around and those are plaid and tartan. I suppose there must be people out there who don’t buy new colours of plaid every winter but really, who are these people, and can we really even trust them? Personally I suspect anyone who isn’t tempted by a new shade of tartan come September might just be a pod person–or, I guess, just very self restrained. I am neither of those things.

Every year I’m excited to pull out all my old winter prints from their summer storage and every year I go on a thirsty hunt to acquire more, because never is there enough. Nevermind that also every year I ask at least one person ‘what’s the difference between tartan and plaid?’ in a sort of curious but redundant way, because the answer is somewhat unimportant, given my equal love and ceaseless hunger for them both.

Well with this post I get to cleverly avoid the baffled and reproachful queries of my friends and family who wonder whether, surely, I have enough of both, because technically, technically, this piece is neither a plaid nor a tartan. This is a buffalo gingham. That’s what Heart of Haute say, anyway, so that’s my story and I’m sticking with it.

Dress: Dinette dress C/O Heart of Haute
Pin: WB Studio Tour
Petticoat: Jennifer by Malco Modes
Boots: eBay

The Dinette dress is one of Heart of Haute’s staple dress cuts that has long been part of their range, available over time in different fabric prints. Last Autumn it was released in red or blue buffalo gingham and, of course, I immediately wanted it. It’s back again this season and finally we are one, forming a little cute pinup lumberjack, if you will. As a girl who enjoyed taking a turn swinging the axe with her dad to cut firewood on our farm during my childhood, that gives me great joy.

As soon as I tried this Dinette dress on I could see why it is one HoH’s regular releases. Everything about this dress is as flattering as it is casual, both easy and comfortable to wear. The full circle skirt lays beautifully by itself for a truly casual effect but can take the puffiest of petticoats should you want to get down to some serious twirling. The black contrast collar can stand up in back to exude optimal sass, while the waist tie echoes the black contrast detailing while pulling in your waist. The side zip has to be one of only a few, ever, that didn’t give me any trouble at all to get over the waist seam and the front buttons are fully functional. Also, there’s pockets. I know, it’s basically perfect.

The final detail I love is the sleeves. The cuffs are split in the middle, crafted into points and each featuring a black button. It’s a small design design that looks more interesting than your usual solid cuffed sleeves, but it also allows ladies with large upper arms a little more give that is oh-so-important. Any other ladies reading it who have chubby uppers (as we like to playfully call them here on the blog,) will be all too familiar with the struggle of a dress fitting perfectly everywhere except the cuffs of the sleeves, which can be too tight because the double layer of sewn fabric typically has little to no give. The level of discomfort this tightness can cause can make or break your decision to keep a dress. This split-cuff design combined with Heart of Haute’s ability to properly grade sleeves means I was surprised but thrilled to slip this dress on and experience zero discomfort in the sleeve cuffs. Seriously, these days that almost never happens in a sleeved dress. Huzzah!

Regarding all other aspects of fit in this dress, I sized up into the 1X and find it a comfortable fit all over. The waist flat measures 38 inches but the waist tie allows you to easily cinch the waist for a closer fit if you’ve had to size up for your bust, as I have. Said bust flat measures 46 inches with an inch of give, as this is a pretty non-stretch fabric. The sleeve cuffs measure 16.5 inches, and the skirt is 26 inches long.

The Buffalo Gingham Dinette dress comes in red or blue, in sizes S-2X across the two colours for $118. If you love the fabric but prefer the versatility of separates there’s also full circle skirts and a collared blouse available. All Heart of Haute pieces are made in the USA and are available for international shipping, with a repeat customer discount code offered with every order.