I’m back, baby, and so is the sun! Well, kind of. It’s warm enough to dry my washing in the conservatory and to make sure the butter dish isn’t left out on the counter in that one spot where the sun funnels its morning rays when it is, indeed, sunny. And it was even sunny enough for a few hours yesterday that when I shot this dress for you all I didn’t get goosebumps or a red nose! Ah, the many joys of spring. Now, I’m sure the rain will sweep back over these fair shores in, oh, a mere matter of days, if not hours–it is, after all, a Bank Holiday weekend here in the UK, which typically means bad weather. But for now I’m enjoying the sight of daffodils and the feel of freshness in the air, and, oh yes, a brand new summer dress! Let’s take a little look, shall we?

Dress: Clarinda-Lee dress gifted by Miss Candyfloss
Blazer: Old Lizia-Lee Blazer previously gifted by Miss Candyfloss
Bag: Vintage
Wedges: Old Hotter

Miss Candyfloss are great at creating flattering, timeless designs across all the seasons. This sundress, like many of their designs, utilises clever pleating at the bust to accommodate and enhance. The shoulder straps are thick enough to cover the straps of every bra style I’ve ever owned, while the flared skirt boasts pockets for practicality and box pleats for shape. I wore a cotton petticoat under said skirt for these pictures to get a subtle lift away from the legs, but for hot weather wear or true casualness no additional volume is required.

This dress is made of a lovely, quality viscose fabric that breathes and moves beautifully, and has a decent amount of stretch that makes it comfortable for all day wear. It comes with a matching grommet belt, so you can cinch the waist in matching fashion.

I love that this print is bold and a little abstract without being loud. A petal print made in cream, terracotta, pale blue and teal dances across a dark navy blue background, creating a soft yet rich colour scheme. The great thing about prints like these–especially for those who find colour coordinating their outfits to be a difficult task–is that you can pick out any of those colours from the print to layer up and accessorise your outfit for different weathers and occasions. On the flip side of that, my favourite thing to do in spring and summer is to forgo additional colour in my layering entirely, letting the print speak for itself (while adding a touch of airiness to the outfit,) by simply layering with white for my cardigans or shirts. Plus, you can never go wrong accessorising with metals or neutrals, so reach for gold, silver, wood, raffia, wicker or other such materials for your shoes, jewellery, and bag to exude a seasonal air that elevates the print without overpowering it.

I can be a 2X or a 3X in Miss Candyfloss depending upon a dress’s cut and the fabric used. In this Clarinda-Lee I was sent a 2X and it’s a perfect fit. Miss Candyfloss list individual size charts on every product page so you can be sure you’re ordering the right size, a touch I always appreciate. The waist on my dress flat measures 36 inches with stretch to 40, while the bust flat measures 43 inches with room up to 46 inches. The skirt is 26 inches long, and the dress is machine washable. The dress zips in the back with a centre zip. It is made in Europe, as are all of Miss Candyfloss’s designs.

The Clarinda-Lee dress is available in sizes XS-5XL. Miss Candyfloss ship worldwide and have stockists around the globe.

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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 blazer featured as part of this outfit was also gifted to me by Miss Candyfloss for a past 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, practising responsible social distancing to help limit the spread of Covid-19.