It’s my favourite time of the year—Miss Candyfloss have released a new Autumn/Winter line! I love seeing what they produce year round, but there’s something extra special to me about their cold weather lines. They mix and match with so many vintage design elements that it produces items that are complex and elegant in a way that makes it impossible not to go ‘oh, that’s a Miss Candyfloss piece!’ when you see one. They’re experts at playing with contrasting textures, patterns and colours, as well as structural design features like peplums, asymmetric necklines, even removable bows and scarves, so a dress will not merely be a dress, but a statement, a declaration of glamour. There’s a sophistication to their pieces that makes me feel incredible each time I don one, and I love knowing that I can go wild adding the full roster of accessories—gloves! Vintage hat! Faux fur stole! Brooches and a vintage bag—and the look will only be elevated, not overdone. Today we look at one of my favourite princes from their AW23 Lookbook, the Gelasia-Lou dress.

Dress: Gelasia-Lou dress gifted by Miss Candyfloss
Bag: Versailles Noir by Charlie Stone Shoes
Shoes: Black Peta flats by Charlie Stone Shoes^
Brooch: Vintage

This dress boasts many things I love—a houndstooth print, a contrasting collar and cuffs, one of those short little half peplums that Miss Candyfloss do so often and so well. In the modern fashion world peplums are spoken of with distaste, as if their brief feature in the trends 10 years ago makes them unspeakably outdated, but this pointed mini peplum is angular, sharp, creating a curve through the waist that draws the eye. The keyhole neckline adds another dimension to this technically very modest dress, displaying the merest glimpse of skin. All the fabric-covered buttons on the bodice are functional, including the one on the tab that creates the keyhole, and I love that if you leave it undone it still creates a wearable look because the underside is lined in the same black as the pointy collar, allowing the decision to unbutton to only contribute to the tally of contrasting features.

The black cuffs on the sleeves each feature a button which also matches the fabric of the bodice, a houndstooth print made in 2 tones of brown, white, and black rather than merely the expected black and white. Said sleeves are full length, making this a great option for wear all through the winter if you layer up appropriately for your climate. The final finishing touch is the black fabric grommet belt, another aspect of contrast that draws the eye to the cinch of your waist above the flare of the short peplum. The swing skirt has large box pleats and two pockets seated high on the side seams. It takes a medium-full petticoat well, adding to that dynamic New Look silhouette we all love.

I was sent this dress in the 3XL and it’s a lovely fit. The bust lays flat at 44 inches with stretch to 47 before creating unseemly gaping around the buttons. The waist flat measures 38 with stretch to 40 before that bottom button begins to sit poorly. There’s a very comfortable amount of stretch in the houndstooth fabric but even so the sleeves are graded up generously, as they always are from Miss Candyfloss, something this plus sized gal appreciates. As such the sleeves lay flat at the bicep at 19 inches with stretch to 22, and tons of room through the sleeve all the way to the cuffs. The skirt is 29 inches long. This dress closes with a centre back zipper which meets the unbroken collar at the nape of the neck. It’s machine washable. As with all Miss Candyfloss pieces, this dress is made in Europe. It’s a stunning piece, which looks like nothing else I own!

The Gelasia-Lou dress is available in sizes XS-5XL, and Miss Candyfloss ship worldwide. They also have select stockists around the globe, so if you size is ever sold out directly from Miss C’s own website there’s often the possibility you may be able to track it down from one of their stockists.

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Disclaimer: The dress featured in this review was gifted to me by Miss Candyfloss in exchange for an honest review. The shoes featured as part of 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, practising strict social distancing measures in an effort to help reduce the spread of Covid-19.