Spring isn’t even here but the first SS18 pieces are, so you know what that means? Time for the first nautical outfit of the summer that is still an age away!

Dress: Mistral dress C/O Hell Bunny
Cardigan: Loretta Cardigan C/O Hell Bunny
Bag: Half Moon Basket Bag by Ellen and James
Bangle: Honeycomb cuff by Lucky Lou Shoes
Hair Flowers: Marsha Duo by Alternate Normality
Shoes: Old New Look

One of the great things about Hell Bunny is that when they make a dress style that does well they will revamp it in new prints or colours in future seasons. Last summer the classic red-white-and-blue nautical Lighthouse 50s dress was one of my favourites of the season; comfortable, easy to throw on for a casual, fun look that will take you quickly out the door, and lightweight, perfectly suited for that ghastly heatwave we poor, pale little English stick figures could barely handle last year. This summer, that same dress shape is back in a black and white otherly-nautical print featuring compasses, flags, lifesavers, nautical stars, glass bottles and a whole heap of rope. If you love a bit of seafaring but don’t buy into the red and blue of it all, this iteration is for you.

The Mistral dress, like it’s lighthouse sister, is still lightweight, comfortable, and ready for summer. It features a white trim bust, displaying an adorable centered bow, which leads into the halter style straps that cross over in the back and attach to the dress by buttons. Those buttons mean you can tighten or loosen the strap length by an inch or so depending upon your buttonhole selection on the end of the straps, allowing you to customise your fit. It comes with a matching white fabric notched belt and the skirt will fit a medium volume petticoat should you want a little lift off your legs.

There’s also the Loretta cardigan, a sweet short-sleeved number suitable for cooler spring weather. It features a pinprick pattern of stripes and zig zags in the open knit, with deep ribbing at the waistband. It’s not cropped short enough to hit one’s natural waist but it’s that belly-button length of crop that will sit nicely over your high-waisted vintage pants or shorts. I’m a collector of cardigans, wearing them year round, but somehow I don’t yet have any with this perforated style of knit, as much as I love them, so I’m pleased to add the Loretta to my collection. The material is stretchy and soft.

I’m wearing the Mistral dress in the 16/XL and it fits true to Hell Bunny’s usual sizing, flat measuring 34 inches in the waist with stretch to 36 inches, and 40 inches flat in the bust with stretch to 46 inches thanks to the elasticated shirred panel in the back. The skirt measures 26 inches long. The Loretta cardigan is also a 16/XL and flat measures  inches in 38 the waist, 40 inches in the bust, and 16 inches in the cuff of the sleeves, with stretch across the entire piece.

The Mistral dress comes in sizes XS-4XL as does the Loretta cardigan, which is available in 3 colours. Discount code AMYMAY20!% will get you 20% off any order at Hellbunny.com. Hell Bunny also have stockists all over the world.