If you’re an avid reader of this blog then you’ll perhaps feel these photos are familiar, and that’s because they are. Early this year I bought the Stella dress by Lady V London on sale and fell completely in love with it, but because it sold out during said sale it seemed mean to review it here on the blog. Since it’s so lovely, though, I still wanted to shoot it, so I incorporated it into the outfit I wore to review the Peta flats by Charlie Stone Shoes. Fast forward to this Black Friday and I was hopeful that the Margot dress, a similar shape to Stella but sleeveless and collared, might be on sale, and when it was I excitedly bought one. I noticed as I did so that Stella was back in stock this season, and still is in many sizes across the 3 available colours, so I decided it was time to give Stella the review she so deserves.

Dress: Ganache Stella dress by Lady V London
Shoes: Black Peta flats by Charlie Stone Shoes (Bought with an influencer discount)
Shawl: Faux leopard stole from eBay
Bag: Black Gemma bag by Banned Retro
Tights: 50 Denier Builders Tea by Snag Tights

It’s pretty easy to wax poetic about a dress that comes in an eye catching print or an usual shape, but with most understated, simple dresses like Stella here it might seem more over the top to dedicate flowery words to my love for it. However, Stella does something that a one-shouldered, sequined dress can’t do, and that’s offer both true timeless sophistication and superlative versatility.

The cut of this dress is rather demure, with a V-neck that’s not deep and half sleeves that graze the elbow. The skirt is below the knee and full, so there’s tons of fabric in its drape and flow. It’s lined throughout and made from a weighty stretch fabric that means it skims the body, and moves beautifully. All together, that creates a flattering yet modest dress that would be appropriate for work or any almost other event with restrictive expectations of how a woman should dress, but provides enough of a blank slate that you can get truly creative with creating outfits that range from subtle to chic any time you wear it. Adding a killer vintage cartwheel hat, gloves, fishnets or seams, vintage jewellery and statement shoes would easily bring sartorial drama, while it would exude quiet grace worn simply with ballet flats, a red lip and a pair of sunglasses for casual wear.

It’s unusual for me to be this enthusiastic about a block coloured, ‘plain’ dress, but Stella just hangs so beautifully and is so deeply comfortable that it won me over the second I first zipped up. The fact that the very full skirt also has pockets just added bonus points upon bonus points that make my heart sing. It’s also not typical for me to opt for a brown dress–I think I have perhaps one other?? Dark browns usually attract me as an accessories colour but almost never in clothing itself, but this Ganache tone is so rich and deep that it drew me right in. If you’re looking for something brighter, though, Stella also comes in a mid Spruce green and a bright Cadbury purple.

I bought the Stella dress in the size 20 and it’s true to the size chart. The waist lays flat at 38 inches with stretch to 41, while the bust is flat at 44 with stretch to 48. The sleeves are cut with ample room for larger upper arms, with the circumference of the biceps measuring at 16 inches flat with stretch to 18. As you can see, there’s stretch in this dress that I find makes it a lovely comfy wear for a full day, without triggering my sensory issues around seams and waistbands. The skirt is 31 inches long. This dress is machine washable and closes with a hidden back zip.

The Stella dress is available in UK sizes 8-22 in Ganache brown, Shaded Spruce green and Tillandsia purple. Lady V London ship worldwide, and have select stockists worldwide.

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Disclaimer: The shoes featured in this outfit were bought with a discount code provided as part of an influencer program. 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, practising responsible social distancing to help limit the spread of Covid-19.