I keep seeing people counting down to spring, but I just spent 3.5 days in a dim, chilly house without power due to Storm Eunice, with the wind whistling in our chimney and regular bouts of rain, so spring currently feels quite far away. It’s been so wet and dreary one could be mistaken for believing it was the depths of autumn, not almost spring, and the only time the sun has come out since last Friday has been alongside blasting winds. With all that in mind, it feels perfectly apt to focus today on tartan, a print that always feels best to me in the cold weather months. Thankfully this one can at least brighten up all this dreariness with its bursting yellow.

Dress: Navy and Yellow Tartan Cindy dress gifted by Dolly & Dotty
Cardigan: Navy Mabel cardigan by Voodoo Vixen
Bangles: Old Splendette
Boots: Old Cognac Cecily boots by JustFab
Bag: Brown Tara bag by Lulu Hun
Tights: Navy 80 deniers by Snag Tights

The Cindy dress is a dress cut Dolly & Dotty have released before in other prints. In their latest batch of new releases, this yellow tartan was added to Cindy’s catalogue, as well as some other coloured tartans and several polka dot versions.

For this colourway the yellow background is criss-crossed by navy and white lines to create the lovely tartan print, with that same navy echoed in the solid coloured roll collar and the band trimming the entire hem. Those contrasting details allow you to layer up your navy accessories with ease to adapt this dress for cold weather, as I have done here with this thick knitted patterned cardigan and coloured tights. The matching blue grommet fabric belt ties the colour scheme together while cinching the waist. The skirt is gathered, allowing you to wear a slim-medium petticoat beneath it for a boost of volume, should you wish, but you can see in these pictures how it falls as is, even in gentle winds. The roll collar wraps around to the back where it dips into a low V, meeting the hidden central zipper.

I asked for this in the size 20 as it’s made from a non-stretch cotton (I can usually size down into an 18 in Dolly & Dotty when the fabric has stretch.) The sizing is accurate to the size chart so choose your size depending upon your largest measurement. As such I sized according to my bust, as the waist in this dress flat measures 42 inches while the bust flat measures just over 46 inches. The skirt is 25 inches long. This dress is machine washable. The fabric is a lightweight cotton so if you live in warmer climates but still love a bit of tartan, this is a perfect option for you. Elsewhere, you’ll want to layer up on chilly days.

The Cindy dress is available in U.K. sizes 8-26 in 9 different prints and patterns. Dolly & Dotty ship worldwide.

____________________________________________________

Disclaimer: The dress featured in this review was gifted to me by Dolly & Dotty in exchange for an honest review. I bought the bag myself from Collectif but they have gifted me other items for review previously. 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.