Others may be thinking of Halloween, but as I’m not a lover of that holiday I’m already thinking ahead to Christmas. It’s one of my favourite times of the year, mostly for the excuse to spend extra time with loved ones…and if I get to do that while donning a fancy frock? Well whadayaknow, that’s two of my favourite things! So it might be too early for talk of the festive C-word for many of you, but I can’t help but bring it up when looking at today’s dress, because it certainly counts as a fancy frock, and some of you might even like it as a Christmas Day contender. 

Dress: Navy Madeline dress gifted by Dolly & Dotty
Necklace and bracelet: Old Collectif*
Bag: Lucite bag by KookiDeLou
Shoes: Old gold Veronica heels by Lulu Hun*
Belt: Old

If you’re a regular reader here on the blog then you know I adore an overlay, whether lace or sheer mesh, so it’s no great surprise I was intrigued by this dress. The rose patterned lace overlay covers the entire dress, to the extent of wholly comprising the sheer sleeves and creating a peekaboo hem for the skirt where it continues for several inches beyond the solid underlay. The stretch cotton solid blue underlay begins in the bodice as a sweetheart neckline, fitting close through the waist before gently flaring through the skirt. Said skirt is more slimline around the hips than a full circle or gathered skirt would be, so it’ll be perfect for those of you who don’t like excess material around your hips. The higher rounded neckline of the lace overlay adds some modesty to the potential allure of the solid sweetheart neckline, making this a great option for those who don’t feel comfortable in strapless dresses. 

Altogether the Madeline dress is an elegant, timeless dress shape that will work beautifully for special occasions, especially as it comes in 4 colours, including white, which would obviously make a lovely budget-friendly bridal option. The other shades are burgundy (another favourite of mine,) plum, and this navy blue. 

I asked for this dress in the size 20 and it’s a great fit. Both the lace overlay and cotton underlay have stretch in their fabrics, so it’s a very comfortable wear, something that can’t always be said of other overlay styles if their lace provides no stretch through crucial seams. In this dress the waist flat measures 39 inches with stretch to 42, while the bust flat measures 46 inches with stretch to 50. The opaque cotton underlay of the skirt is 26 inches while the lace overlay is 33. There is only room for a slim volume petticoat under the skirt, perhaps only a single layer petti for a little gentle lift off the legs, but anything fuller would create an unseemly stretched look in the fabric of the upper skirt. I wore it here in these pictures without any kind of underskirt so you can see what a darling shape the skirt falls in naturally. The dress closes with a back zipper that runs to the top of the solid bodice in the back, then the lace overlay closes with a button at the base of the neck creating a keyhole. It’s machine washable. 

The Madeline dress comes in 4 colours in UK sizes 8-26. Dolly & Dotty ship worldwide. 

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Disclaimer: The dress featured in this review was gifted to me by Dolly & Dotty in exchange for an honest review. Items marked with an asterix* are items I bought myself from companies that have previously gifted me other items for 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, thus practising strict social distancing measures in an effort to help reduce the spread of Covid-19.