Some dresses serves as an epitome of a certain time, or feeling, or season. This little number from The Pretty Dress Company? Well this dress is mostly certainly spring.

Dress: Blue Vintage Rose Hourglass swing dress gifted by The Pretty Dress Company
Cardigan: Oatmeal cropped cardigan by MAK Sweater (Affiliate code yemak-amymay for 40% off)
Hat: Straw hat previously gifted by Unique Vintage (A/L)
Bangles: Wooden bangles by Grass Fields
Shoes: Turn Back Prime flats from ModCloth

All of The Pretty Dress Company’s pieces have been designed and made in the UK since 2008 to the highest quality, and with the femininity and grace of the Golden Era of fashion in mind. The Hourglass is one of their signature and best-selling dress designs, and this swing version certainly demonstrates why. Exhibiting both simplicity and elegance, it’s still eye-catching thanks to the floral print. It’s a dress that strikes me as being the personification of true loveliness, the pink roses and their green leaves downright charming on the pale blue background.

The faux cross-over style bust is modest but flattering, while your waist will appear cinched above the incredibly full sweep of the circle skirt, in which there are pockets. Said pockets are deep enough to be genuinely useful, able to fit my iPhone 7 plus fully with room to spare. The short sleeves make for great warm weather wear, especially for those who aren’t fond of strappy dresses, yet layering up with a cardigan or your favourite jacket will still look delightful on nippier days. A cardigan actually does a great job in making this dress feel more casual, though it is, of course, so timeless and darling that it would work perfectly for special occasions, ranging from weddings and proms all the way through to garden parties and birthday dinners–well, you know, when we’re allowed to have them again, that is.

The Pretty Dress Company was one of my favourite companies for a long time, and indeed my love for their designs has never gone away, but there was a little while when I was sized out of their clothing after gaining weight. Thankfully they’ve altered the sizing of their plus sizes, so I’m genuinely thrilled that now my 46-inch bust can gleefully squeeze into TPDC pretties once more! In some of their designs an 18 will probably fit me, but for this Hourglass swing dress I thought it was best to size up into the size 20 because of the cut–a full coverage bust, sleeves, and a full back that zips all the way up to the base of one’s neck. In any dress that has sleeves and fits fully across the shoulders these days I generally size up if I’m between sizes, no matter the brand, and in this case it worked out perfectly because it’s a lovely comfortable fit.

The waist flat measures 36 inches, with stretch to 39 inches, while the bust flat measures 43 inches with stretch to 48 inches. This dress is made with a stretch control lining, giving ease of movement as well as the ample demonstrated forgiveness in the fit. The skirt is 28 inches long and the sleeves are 16.5 inches in diameter, a wonderfully comfy fit even for my large upper arms. This dress closes with a concealed back zip.

The Vintage Rose Hourglass Swing dress is available in blue, pink and black rose prints, in UK sizes 8-20. The pencil Hourglass dress comes in the same vintage rose colourways. Both Hourglass dress cuts are also available in various other prints styles, including tartans and polka dots, as well as plain colourways, while this vintage rose fabric is also used for other dress shapes if the Hourglass design isn’t for you.

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Disclaimer: The dress featured in this review was gifted to my by The Pretty Dress Company in exchange for a feature. The hat used in this outfit was previously gifted to me by Unique Vintage to be reviewed. The use of my MAK affiliate code will generate me a small commission from your order. Items marked with (A/L) are Affiliate Links. All opinions expressed are truthful and my own, with no input from any of the companies listed or any other individuals. 

COVID-19 NOTE: These pictures were taken in the safety of my garden, thus abiding by the strict social distancing rules currently in place to help reduce the spread of Covid-19. Please stay home, and when necessary to leave the house for work or necessities remember to keep at least 6 ft away from any persons you may encounter.