There are certain dresses I think of as goddess gowns. There isn’t a particular characteristic that qualifies it beyond being full length; sometimes they have pleated skirts, sometimes boned busts with intricate pleating or gathers; sometimes they have bishop sleeves; and sometimes they have full flowing circle skirts for ultimate sweep and swish. It’s one of those ‘I know it when I see it’ things, and to me this lacy blue maxi from Chi Chi London is a Goddess Gown contender.

Dress: Blue Lace Sleeve Maxi Bridesmaid dress gifted by Chi Chi London
Belt: Old ASOS
Brooch: Vintage

If there’s one thing Chi Chi knows how to do, it’s lace. Back in 2015 when I first encountered the brand it was their lace swing dresses that made me fall completely in love, to the point where I began to obsess a little over their new releases for a good year or so. These days they offer a huge variety of styles, most of them with a touch of vintage inspiration even in their more modern cuts, but lace still features heavily in their designs and aesthetic.

The lace on this piece in particular is my favourite kind: eyelash lace. I have always found eyelash lace to be superlatively elegant and seductive, especially as it’s most regularly utilized in black. Seeing this wonderful electric blue eyelash lace used for the sleeves and bodice overlay feels refreshing. The delicate eyelash lace edging along the bardot bust line of this dress is beyond glamorous, no doubt contributing to that Goddess Gown feel it gives me. The full length pleated skirt creates a slim-lined, column look in the silhouette, another GG-qualifying characteristic, I’m sure.

Altogether I can see why this piece is part of Chi Chi’s extensive bridesmaid collection, which offers an array of dress cuts and fabrics types, but it would work beautifully for attending a wedding in any capacity, or for any other special event. Hell, if you know my outlook then you’ll know I think you can style almost any piece for any occasion, and that special pieces should never be saved for best. Why not throw this dress on with a pair of flat sandals, a faux leather backpack and a ponytail to enjoy a chilled day being the goddess you are?

I asked for this piece in a size 18.  The waist measures 38 inches flat with just a little give, while the bust measures 46 inches flat with stretch to 48 inches, so it lines up well with their size chart. There’s plenty of rooms in the sleeve for those of us with larger upper arms, with the circumference of the biceps measuring 17 inches. This dress closes with a sturdy zip topped with a larger-than-average hidden hook and eye. The inside of the bustline and upper back of the dress is trimmed with that non-slip gel style piping you find inside the hem of shapewear and around the inner back bands of some strapless bras  to help keep fabric in place. The dress is fully lined except through the sleeves.

The Blue Lace Sleeve Bridesmaid Maxi Dress comes in UK sizes 6-26. Chi Chi London ship worldwide.

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Disclaimer: The dress featured in this review was gifted to me by Chi Chi London in exchange for an honest review. 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 alone and safely in a secluded outdoors area with no other individuals present or passing, thus abiding by the strict social distancing rules currently in place to help reduce the spread of Covid-19.