It’s been pretty dreary here in the UK for what feels like an age. It’s been rain, showers, and more rain, but in a shocking twist of fate this Bank Holiday weekend has heralded the return of sunshine. So it was wonderful timing that this glorious The Pretty Dress Company piece turned up this week just in time to enjoy said sunshine in true summer fashion–in gingham!

Dress: Hourglass Blue Gingham Swing dress gifted by The Pretty Dress Company
Hat: Cartwheel sunhat previously gifted by Unique Vintage (A/L)
Shoes: Palmas wedges by Hotter
Bag: Old Justfab

The Pretty Dress Company excel in making timeless, flattering pieces, and this Hourglass swing dress is just another example of their mastery. The faux wrap effect bodice flatters the bust and cinches the waist, before flowing out into a full circle skirt that drapes and moves beautifully. There’s room for a full volume petticoat for lovers of the New Look silhouette, though I wore only a slim volume petticoat for the shape achieved in these pictures. As if the shape of this skirt weren’t prize enough, there are pockets in its side seams, deep enough to fit my iPhone 7 Plus (huzzah!) The cap sleeves will help keep you cool on warm days, but will also layer easily below cardigans and jackets without any awkward bunching up. 

As is always the case with The Pretty Dress Company items, this dress is excellent quality, designed to last as well as to compliment. It’s made in the UK with 100% cotton gingham and fully lined throughout with a cotton lining, part of a selection of their signature designs made in cooler fabrics for summer wear. 

The Hourglass swing dress is one of The Pretty Dress Company’s signature designs, and as such is regularly made in new fabric colours and prints each season. It is often available up to a size 20 but this particular fabric selection only runs up to a size 18 ready made currently, so TPDC kindly made me a gingham version in the 20 I require. This was possible because Pretty Dress Company offer a bespoke service, in which they can custom make any of their past or present designs in your fabric of choice, up to a UK 24, and I can confirm this size 20 lines up perfectly with their size chart. Despite being made in 100% cotton, there’s some stretch to this dress, so the waist flat measures 38.5 inches but has stretch up to 40.5. The bust measures flat at 46 inches with room for up to 51 inches. The skirt is 28 inches long. TPDC do a beautiful job of grading up the sleeves through their plus sizes, so despite being a short sleeved dress made in cotton (a combination that almost always leaves me with upper arms being cut-in by sleeves that are too tight from most companies) the sleeves are entirely comfortable on my large upper arms, with no pinching or digging in at all. The circumference of the hem of the cap sleeves measure 18 inches flat, with half an inch of give. This dress closes with a concealed centre back zip.

The Pretty Dress Company often utilize their fabrics across more than one dress cut, and that is the case with this lovely blue gingham fabric. In addition to being available in this Hourglass swing dress, it’s also available in their Tilly off the shoulder prom dress, their strappy Priscilla swing dress, the sleeved Hepburn swing dress, the Signature full swing skirt, and a face mask. Plenty of options for gingham lovers! 

The Hourglass Gingham Swing dress comes in UK sizes 8-18. TPDC are currently running a Bank Holiday sale for 20% off across their website (excluding sale and bespoke,) which ends at 11.59pm GMT June 1st. They ship around the world. 

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Disclaimer: The dress featured in this review was gifted to me by The Pretty Dress Company in exchange for an honest review. The hat was previously gifted by Unique Vintage a previous review. All opinions expressed are truthful and my own, with no input from any of the companies listed or any other individuals. Items marked with (A/L) are Affiliate Links that would earn me a small commission from your order if used.

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.