Oh, what’s this? Mooooore tartan? I don’t mind if I do!

No, but seriously, I know I own a lot of it, but I actually don’t own a single pinafore dress, let alone a tartan one, so this post was practically overdue. Let’s get down to it!

Dress: Navy Peebles Pinafore by Hell Bunny (AMYMAY20!% for 20% off)
Brooch: Vintage
Cardigan: Dancing Days by Banned
Belt: Old New Look

I’ve always admired the level of versatility that pinafore dresses afford the wearer. With a simple swapping of under-layers, a vast array of different looks can be achieved just by making use of all the sweaters, polo necks, pussybow blouses or peter pan collar shirts you own. From schoolgirl-esque to twee, then on to office-chic or cosy-winter vibes, there’s many ways to craft an entirely different looking outfit using a single pinafore dress as the base, which is something not many dresses can promise. And yet saying that, I’ve never owned one before, and I can’t adequately verbalise way.

There’s something about them that made me feel they wouldn’t work for me, and I’m not sure if that’s because my subconscious knew I don’t own enough tops with the right neckline to work with one, or whether it’s because part of me felt they just wouldn’t look quite right on me, for some inexplicable reason. Did I worry I was going to look too secondary school student? I don’t know. Did I think I needed to be able to rock a polo neck (which I can’t) and a beret (also possibly can’t) to do it justice? I’m not certain. Either way, for several winters now I have resisted the soft calling inside me to try one. But no more, not when Hell Bunny has this lovely navy tartan on offer!

Even putting the lovely navy plaid of this dress aside, it’s got some excellent features to recommend it. Most importantly of all, I feel, is the shoulder straps, which cross over at the back and can be adjusted to the best length for you by choosing between 2 buttons at the end of each front strap. Said buttons are almost 2 inches apart, so it can allow a sizable adjustment of the straps just choosing between those 2 buttons. However, if the length achieved by neither button works perfectly for you it would be stupidly easy even for a non-sewer to snip off the buttons and re-sew them to the straps in the place that would give you the perfect fit.

The thick waistband creates a flattering cinching effect, while the swing skirt–not a full circle–drapes nicely both without or with a slim volume petticoat. The dress closes with a back zipper topped with a hook and eye. And finally, the skirt has pockets, hurrah! The fabric has a nice thickness to it, so it would layer wonderfully in winter to create an outfit that feels cosy as well as stylish.

I bought this dress in the size 18/2XL and it fits pretty true to Hell Bunny’s usual sizing. The waist measures 38 inches flat with stretch to 39 inches, while the bust flat measures 44 inches with stretch to 47. The skirt is 24 inches long.

The Peebles pinafore dress comes in both navy blue and a rich forest green, in sizes Xs-4XL. Discount code Amymay20!% will get you 20% any orders at Hellbunny.com.