Here’s the thing; my favourite thing about the vintage silhouette of which I’m most enamored is definitely the full, swishy skirt flowing down from a cinched waist, but sometimes in summer the dedication and discomfort it takes to stay committed to that silhouette is just too much. Sometimes you just need an easy, breezy summer dress that reminds you of your favourite vintage features without all the layers and cinching and sweating. Sometimes you just gotta relax. Enter, Harriet.

Dress: Harriet Bardot Stripe sun dress by Joanie Clothing
Bangles: Los Flamingo Creeper bangle + old wooden bangles
Shoes: Gold slings by Select Fashion
Hair Flowers: Marsha Duo by Alternate Normality

I love that this dress makes me think of a myriad of comforting things; old fashioned worn-soft striped pyjamas; lounging in the garden enjoying the gentle breeze on a bright spring day; cowboy hats and spending time with my Texan family; innocent summers spent at the beach eating Mr Whippy ice creams. This dress is the epitome of a casual summer day, and that ruffled off-the-shoulder neckline layers some sweet sexiness into that easy summer look.

The Harriet dress comes in 3 colourways, all sporting the same classic stripes in a textured fabric that together reminds me of southern seersucker. It closes with functioning wooden buttons that run the length of the dress, with a small clear plastic button hidden on the inside of the waist so that you can ensure there’s no awkward gaping between the wooden buttons at the waistline. The elastic in the ruffled sleeves and bust is very generous, ensuring that those who are full of bust or upper arms (or both) find themselves with plenty of room and comfortable ease of movement without any pinching or digging in. 

I ordered this dress in a size 18 and it’s slightly smaller than the size chart states. The waist flat measures 37.5 inches with no stretch, which is just a touch shy of the 38 1/5 inches quoted on the size chart. The bust is 46 inches flat, again with no stretch. If your measurements put you between sizes, I would size up. The skirt will allow for a slim volume petticoat for some lift off the legs.

The Harriet Bardot sun dress is available in UK sizes 8-22 in striped blue, pink or beige.