The Tessa dress isn’t a new style for Dolly & Dotty, who first released it in black several months back, which is when I first fell for her. A simple and chic swing dress with a cut-out lace neckline and sleeves? Come on now, you know how I love overlays and mixed texture design details! This dress is all about that.
Now Tessa is here in some new colour options and it’s time to go green for spring!
Dress: Green Tessa Dress C/O Dolly & Dotty
Bag: Vintage
Brooch: Vintage
Bracelet: Layla Floral bracelet by Collectif
Shoes: Whiskey Daffodils by Restricted Shoes
The stand out feature of this dress is obviously that lace upper bodice, which I just adore. It adds texture to the dress and a flash of interest that catches the eye, but it doesn’t compromise any of the dress’s modesty. It’s also a sensibly chosen amount and shape of lace, so it doesn’t cut too low in the bust or back, avoiding any visible bra issues, thank goodness. Because come on, what’s more annoying than a dress for which you have to buy a new style of problem-solving bra in order to be able to wear it? Nothing, exactly.
The skirt is blessedly full and twirls beautifully, able to take a full volume petticoat should you so desire. I only wore a slim volume petticoat underneath it for these pictures and it still held a lovely shape, achieving some lift off the legs without the dramatic full-skirted look that a voluminous petticoat would have produced. Such a full shape would be stunning for cocktail parties or a glamorous event, but it’s possible to wear this dress in a more toned-down style and still do it justice.
I opted for this dress in a size 18 because I suspected that would be the safest fit for me in the arms, which bore true. It is a bit big on me in the waist, but nothing that a little tuck won’t fix when I next get out my sewing kit. Specifically, the waist flat measures 36 inches with stretch to 39 inches, while the bust flat measures 42 inches with stretch to 47 inches. The cuffs of the sleeves measure 15 inches with no stretch, and the arm holes are 21 inches in circumference. The skirt is a fabulous 28 inches long. The fabric is a lovely soft cotton that, as you can see from above, has a comfortable amount of stretch. The dress closes with a concealed back zip topped with a hook and eye.
The Tessa dress comes in 4 colours in UK sizes 8-26, but if you want to win one of your own, or any other Dolly & Dotty dress, then you’ll be happy to know today is contest day!
I’ve partnered with Dolly & Dotty to give you the chance to win a dress of your choice from their website. This giveaway is open internationally and it’s starting today Monday 16th April and running for one week until midnight BST Sunday 22nd April. The winner will be announced the following day here on the blog, Monday 23rd April.
There’s 3 ways to enter this giveaway, all of which you must log into the Rafflecopter widget linked below in order for your entries to be counted. You can enter in all 3 ways if you’d like to gain up to 3 entries in total, but any single one of these entry options will enter you into the giveaway. The entry options are:
- Leave a comment on this blog post telling me: which Dolly and Dotty dress would you most love to win?
- Follow Dolly & Dotty (@dollyanddotty) on Instagram
- Like Dolly & Dotty’s Facebook page
***CLICK HERE TO ENTER VIA RAFFLECOPTER***
Good luck, lovelies!
Brilliant blog the dress looks beautiful and so wearable. I would love to win the Lana striped dress.I am away on my first holiday in 10 years and this would be perfect for cocktails on the beach !
Thank you xx
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I’d love to win the Aurora dress you previously reviewed! 😘😘
Either that or the Annie retro in pale blue
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https://www.dollyanddotty.co.uk/katherine-long-sleeve-50-s-swing-dress-in-blue-pink-tulips
The Katherine dress in Navy, I’m attending a christening with my boyfriend and will be the first time I’ll meet all of his friends at once, I need a confidence boosting dress!
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You look absolutely gorgeous in that dress! I would love to win the Katherine Dress in Green. I’m going to my partners family reunion in June and the Katheine is perfect because it’s classy and the long sleeves will be perfect for the colder weather.
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The colour of this Tessa dress looks amazing on you!
It would be a hard decision, but I would pick the Poppy Vintage Shirt Swing Dress in Red. I looked at the Janie Rockabilly Diner Shirt Dress in Pink/White/Green, but I often have sleeve issues as well. I know the Poppy would work in the summer as a sleeveless dress, but with a sweater would be a great holiday dress as well. I love the versatility.
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Stop it – I would have totally believed this to be vintage! Good work, Dolly & Dotty! I think I need THIS dress in my life!!!!
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I love when a dress passes for vintage, I always find it so exciting 😂
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I’d love the Annie Retro Striped Swing Dress in Pale Blue!
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Tessa looks lovely on you but I think the one that would make me smile the most is the Natalie Retro Floral Swing Flamingo Story Dress. Flamingo love! ❤
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All the dresses are so pretty! Such a difficult choice. I think the most “me” dress is Elizabeth Vintage Style Evening Party Dress in Black/White. I do love so many of them 😍
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Excellent competition, I love Dolly and Dotty! I would choose the Poppy check shirt dress because I’ve been looking for something like it for a while.
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The “Venus Van Chic Suzie Pleated Skirt in Black” would be so versatile in any woman’s wardrobe as part of a timeless basics capsule! 🙂
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Ohhh… The Aurora for sure.
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I’d love the May v-neck in navy polka dot.
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A green Tessa for me! So glamorous and slimming on you!
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I love this colour on you and the full circle of the skirt has a perfect drape. I would choose the Annie Retro Striped Swing Dress in Pale Blue for a fresh crisp feel. I hope I win, looking at Dolly and Dotty’s website results in ‘grabby hands’ and all the wants.
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which Dolly and Dotty dress would you most love to win?
Fingers crossed 🍀🍀🍀
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Wow, this dress and colour is beuatiful on you! I would absolutely lovr to win the Darlene dress in teal. I have a summer wedding to go to and I think it would be perfect!
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I’d love to win the Katherine dress!
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I need a classic summer dress. This one would be perfect https://www.dollyanddotty.co.uk/janie-rockabilly-diner-shirt-dress-in-blue-white
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You really look so gorgeous in this dress and in all the beautiful clothes you wear. It’s always a treat seeing the pics you post. I accidentally commented on your insta post instead of here, sorry for the misunderstanding! But I’m still really feelin the Sophie check rockabilly 1950’s dress ❣️
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I love the Annie meadow dress! Pink and blue is one of my favourite combinations and I’m actually after something to wear to my graduation so it would be perfect
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I would love to win the Annie Retro Meadow Floral Print Swing Dress in Green!
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I would love this one https://www.dollyanddotty.co.uk/annie-floral-retro-swing-dress-in-white-blue
My mum is getting married in santorini next year and I would love a dress to match the scenery.
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This looks so good on you!! I have had my eye on the Darlene in yellow ❤
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I’d love to win the Claudia in floral green.
Thank you for the chance!
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You look wonderful in the Tessa dress, but my top choice would be the Darlene Retro Floral Roses Swing Dress in Black.
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Love it! Especially the colour. Perfect to complement red hair!
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I’d actually like to win this one – the Tessa dress in green. There just isn’t enough green in my wardrobe.
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I think after seeing these pictures I might need the Tessa dress!
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Hi! I love this post and I’m super happy to see you reviwed my favourite dress by Dolly & Dotty! I’m actually a fan of the black one so I hope to win the black Tessa, but I must admit the green one suits you perfectly 🙂
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You look beautiful. Seeing this post has inspired me to return to my pin up clothes now my pregnancy is over. Although I guess I’ll have to stick up in more dresses like the poppy dress for breastfeeding.
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The green Tessa dress that your wearing would be perfect please
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Lovely colour x
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What a wonderful giveaway!
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https://www.dollyanddotty.co.uk/annie-retro-tulip-floral-swing-dress-in-blue-pink
I’d love to win the tulip floral annie dress😍😍😍😍
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I would love to wear the Katherine dress to the SPCA Fundraiser i am throwing this coming Sept.
It is a Rockabilly themed night renamed Bark A Billy!!!
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This dress is gorgeous! I’d love to win it in blue: https://www.dollyanddotty.co.uk/tessa-lace-short-sleeved-dress-in-navy-blue
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