We all have things we like. You might like bodycon dresses, the colour black, cut outs. Your best friend may be in to watermelons, swing skirts, and novelty shaped buttons. I like all shades of yellow, dresses with lots of stretch, and peasant-style necklines. And, like anyone else, I get a bit excited when I find several of my favourite things represented in one item. In this instance, I have Doll Me Up to thank for this accumulation of Things That Make Amy Happy.

Dress: Yellow Peachy Keen Peasant dress from Doll Me Up
Bag: Sold out Forever 21 (Similar)
Hair Flower: Marsha Duo by Alternate Normality
Bangles: Splendette white / Sage Bow & Crossbones / Los Flamingo Chartreuse / old bamboo

Made in the USA, this little number not only looks like summer but feels like it too. Made from a non-stretch cotton and unlined, the fabric is lightweight and airy, while the generous elastication of the back smocking and the neckline/sleeves gives plenty of stretch for ease of movement and supreme comfort.

I love peasant style dresses and tops because I think they’re both wholesome and sexy all at once, but sometimes those styles can give me pause as I have large upper arms and tight elastic pinching into my chubby uppers looks about as good as it feels. With this dress that isn’t an issue at all, as the sleeves have ample stretch even beyond that which my arms require, with a cute little puff effect to boot. The added bonus is that you can wear the sleeves on your shoulders or completely off for a bardot look.

Another thing I love about this dress is that the skirt is gathered, so while it can take a petticoat should you want to wear one (I’m not in these pictures), on hot summer days when you’d rather skip the extra layers that gathering gives some forgiving volume to those of us who hold weight on our stomach and find slimmer cut skirts only highlight that issue. The waistband gives the look of a cinched waist because it’s sandwiched between the gathers of the skirt and the ruched peasant effect of the bust, but the elasticated smocking in the back of the dress gives the entire waistline spectacular stretch. No matter how much you swell from heat–or from overindulging on ice creams and iced coffees while trying to keep cool–that waistband won’t grow tight throughout the day.

Thanks to all the generous elastication in this piece, choosing the right size isn’t a headache. Each dress size has stretch in the bust and the waist of at least 5 inches, and up to 10 inches in the smaller sizes. I was sure both the 2X and 3X would fit me, since my measurements were sort of covered by both sizes, but my bust measurement (45-46 inches) technically fell outside the listed range of the 2X measurements on the chart. Additionally, because I sometimes find my upper arms create an issue even when every other part of a dress fits, I decided to play it safe and size up into the 3X. It’s a beautifully comfortable fit that feels loose but doesn’t look baggy, with even more stretch on offer than I need. The waist flat measures 36 inches with stretch to 42 inches, while the bust flat measures 42 inches with stretch to approximately 50. The elastic in the neckline/sleeves will stretch to almost 60 inches. The skirt is 24 inches long. Comparing it to the size chart, that means the 3X sizes a little larger than listed, so it may be possible that you can size down, especially if you want a close pinup fit.

In construction this dress is simply a perfect summer option, and in style, in this vivid floral print with hints of purple, blue and white, that perfection is only intensified. Summer perfection squared, if you will. The navy colourway is definitely tempting me, because one good dress definitely deserves another.

The Peachy Keen Peasant dress comes in both this yellow floral print or a navy floral, in sizes S-3X. Doll Me Up ship internationally and offer free US shipping.