In the vintage inspired and reproduction scene all companies have their own niche and look, but there’s still a lot of overlap in style, understandably, because everyone is drawing from the same pot of inspiration. Love UR Look, however, is one of those  brands when I can tell the second I see one of their pieces that it is made by them. They take vintage inspired dress shapes and design features, and they make them totally their own with quirky and fun prints, some novelty, others not, but all distinctly Love UR Look. This dress we’re looking at today is a perfect representation of a design only Love UR Look could come up with; I present to you, Empower You.

Dress: Empower You Panel Dress gifted by Love UR Look
Hat: Cartwheel sunhat previously gifted by Unique Vintage (A/L)
Bag: Old New Look
Cardigan: Black Cropped cardigan by MAK Sweater (Affiliate code Yemak-amymay for 40% off)
Bangles: Assorted black Splendette and Bow & Crossbones

The Empowerment print on this dress first debuted in autumn 2020 as a shirt dress. Since then it’s also been updated to come in a full sleeved version dress, a swing skirt, and now cap sleeved panel dress, based on one of Love UR Look’s most iconic dress cuts, the Atomic Dress. As you can so clearly see from these pictures, the unique thing about this dress is the print. Part ode to pop art, part ode to diversity and social change, the print features all manner of women posed on magazine-cover style blocks and empowering words framing newspaper-print style blocks. Altogether it’s an eye-catching and unique print, designed in house by Love UR Look’s small team and printed in 30 colours–for reference, the typical high street item has 6.

The shape of this dress specifically, the Empower You panel dress, is also something special. The fitted bodice boasts a square neckline interrupted by an atomic spike design, while cap sleeves keep you cool in warm weather. The waist is cinched by a matching fabric belt, printed with thick multi-coloured stripes. The skirt is comprised of 6 panels, giving a lovely flared shape that drapes well worn as-is but can also accommodate a medium-full petticoat, should you wish (I wore a slim volume one for these pictures.) It’s made fully in cotton and lined throughout, and there are pockets in the skirt.

I gave Love UR Look my measurements and they sent me this piece in the 2XL–which, it should be noted, is not even near the top of their size chart, as this dress comes in sizes S to 6XL, which encompasses up to a UK 26. The 100% cotton fabric of this dress means there’s no stretch, so it’s important to follow the size chart. The bust flat measures 44 inches flat, while the waist measures 38 inches flat. The skirt is 26.5 inches long.

Before I wrap up this post I want to tell you a little bit about Love UR Look in case you’ve never of this small British, Black woman-owned company, which is focused on producing ethically made, sustainable clothing. Their pieces are made from sustainably manufactured self-designed fabrics printed using vegetables dyes, like this dress, or from fabrics purchased at surplus markets where overstock materials are sold off rather than dumped in landfills. Even their buttons are sourced from the same upcycled markets. As a company they’re dedicated to producing slower, more conscious fashion, and members of their manufacturing team are paid a living wage while working in ethical conditions. Plus, they also donate a percentage of their profits each year to Tolfa, a local charity animal hospital and sanctuary based near their Love UR Look production facility.

The Empower You Panel dress comes in sizes S-6XL covering UK sizes 8-26. The Empower print also comes in a skirt and 2 other dress cuts. Love UR Look ship worldwide.

____________________________________________________

Disclaimer: The dress featured in this review was gifted to me by Love UR Look in exchange for an honest review. The hat was previously gifted by Unique Vintage for 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. The use of my MAK affiliate code will generate me a small commission from your order. 

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.