I’ve never been one for wearing a lot of black, but over the last six months or so I’ve found myself becoming increasingly more drawn to wearing black clothing. Even now, the idea of a solid black dress doesn’t really interest me, not unless it’s a wiggle dress, as the sexy screen siren feel of that silhouette overpowers my desire for there to be an aspect of true interest punctuating the black.

With swing dresses, though, I need there to be an element of interest to break up the expanse of black to keep my interest, a layering of different or unusual textures, a contrasting fabric panel or trim. This Vivianne-Lou dress from Miss Candyfloss delivers on that specification with glamorous exactitude, the simple and generally modest cut of the plain black dress elevated by the velvet-touch leopard print in the collar and matching belt, adding a sexy and exotic feel.

Dress: Vivianne-Lou dress C/O Miss Candyfloss
Bag: Lola Von Rose
Gloves: Current season Primark
Shoes: Spiked Stilettos from eBay

Miss Candyfloss haven’t placed a step wrong this season, not even by a teensy tippy toe, so even if you’re surprised that I’m being drawn further and further into a love of leopard print that I used to so loudly denounce, it probably shouldn’t surprise you that Miss Candyfloss have become the latest to tempt me. I mean, at least half of my new items this season have been by Miss C, each one as glorious and marvelous as the last, so at this point a new Miss Candyfloss dress is almost like picking up a new book by a favourite author–I enjoyed the last one so much, why would I give up now? And I’m thrilled the Vivianne-Lou doesn’t disappoint, like the latest thrilling installment to a much loved series–with Miss C, each piece deserves a sequel.

The colours of this leopard print are actually quite bright and far more orange toned than I’ve ever been drawn to before, but used in such small doses to create vibrant accent features on an otherwise demure dress I think they work excellently. Plus, I love that they’re soft to the touch, something which, yes, has definitely enticed my more curious and tactile friends to ask if they could give the collar a stroke, even across the table in a restaurant over dinner.

As is so often found in Miss Candyfloss designs, there’s some wonderful ruching at the bust to add an extra element of interest where normally a high-collared neckline might lack some. The three-quarter length sleeves make this perfect for wear in colder months as well as functioning as a comfort blanket for ladies who feel self-conscious of their upper arms and prone to adding cardigans to most everything they wear. It closes with a back zipper and has a swing skirt which can take a slim to medium volume petticoat.

I ordered this in my usual Miss C 2XL and it’s true to their standard sizing, just as I would expect from such a reliable and high quality brand. The waist flat measures 36.5 inches with enough stretch in the thick fabric to stretch to 39 inches, while the bust flat measures 38 inches and has comfortable stretch to 44. The skirt is 28 inches long and the stretch of the fabric makes it very comfortable in the shoulders and sleeves even for broad shouldered or large upper arms, win-win! 

The Vivianne-Lou dress comes in sizes XS-5XL for €110.00. Miss Candyfloss deliver internationally.