Right now a pretty dress that turns out to be comfortable and lightweight enough to wear even on a hot, sunny day at home in lockdown feels not only like a happy surprise, but a total lockdown delight. The fact that this Elina-Lou dress is also so elegant that it will serve as a beautiful occasion dress once things return to normal makes it even more special.
Last week I shared with you a review of the Polka Dot Claudia Max dress by Alexandra King for Deadly is the Female, a piece that immediately became one of my favourite dresses of all time. I bought it using money I had been given for my birthday specifically for buying myself some treats from my favourite small businesses, so Deadly is the Female of course had to be top of that list. At the same time I also bought myself the Navy Flutter Sleeve Claudia dress, because its understated chicness but clear practicality had been calling to me like a siren song ever since I had first tried it on in early March. Genuinely, I’ve been thinking about this dress at least a couple times a week since. I’m so, so pleased that my memories of it live up to it’s beauty.
Twice a year I look forward to the release of Miss Candyfloss’s lookbook for their new season. It always goes the same way; the second I realise it’s online I rush to load it up on my phone, then take screenshots of all my favourite items, whiiiiich basically ends up being at least 20 products. Over the following weeks I periodically revisit those screenshots, daydreaming about my favourite pieces and wondering which events in the coming season I will wear them for. (I mean, there’s a bit of sensible budgeting that happens there in my brain, as I whittle down what I’ll realistically be able to buy myself, but still, in the daydreaming part I can enjoy them all.) Somehow, there’s always one stand out piece that’s my favourite at first glance, and it always remains so in anticipation of its release, even if that’s months later. For SS20? My favourite was Flava-Rose, and my, she sure lives up to that in person.
Now, one could try to argue that I already have ‘too many’ Claudia dresses from the Alexandra King for Deadly is the Female line. Could, but I would suggest no one even bother, because there’s no way they could convince me. I own 4 of the bishop sleeve knee-length dresses (a pure classic, I don’t regret a single one of those purchases,) a bishop sleeve velvet floor length gown (bought for my sister’s now-postponed wedding, which I will now be desperate to wear ASAP as a result,) and a chiffon-y delicious flutter sleeve knee length dress, which is a summertime glory. So, yeah, you might have thought I ‘have enough,’ BUT. BUT! That would be wilfully ignoring the fact that they’ve recently released their first line of printed maxis, and my goodness, they are gorgeous.
Some dresses serves as an epitome of a certain time, or feeling, or season. This little number from The Pretty Dress Company? Well this dress is mostly certainly spring.
Look, I know it sounds a bit like a broken record to once again say that I’m in love with a new release from the Alexandra King for Deadly is the Female line…but I am, once again, in love with one of their new releases. And to be honest I don’t even think anyone would have a right to roll their eyes, should they wish to, because JUST LOOK AT THIS BADASS BEAUTY. SERIOUSLY, LOOK AT IT! There is no way you can tell me that you don’t think this dress is amazing because it so very, very clearly is. So now that we’ve got that out of the way, shall we enjoy some swooning over it together, yes? Yes, good. Let’s hold hands digitally while we do so.
Considering how out-of-the-ordinary everything is these days I can’t tell you how much it means to me to be able to still enjoy the building sunshine, fresh breezes and blooming flowers of spring. Spring is my favourite season anyway, and only a tiny bit because my birthday is in May, but right now? Right now all my favourite parts of the sweetest, lightest season feel even more beautiful and uplifting. Sun peaking through the curtains in the early morning, the chance to open your windows without it being an immediate mistake because of freezing air or insistent insects, and, let’s face it, right now especially, the chance to wear something that feels and looks just plain happy and floaty and lovely. This new dress by Miss Candyfloss definitely counts as the latter.
You surely know by now how much I love vintage-inspired bangles, so I’m happy to spotlight another small business today by featuring Bow & Crossbones, another woman-owned vintage inspired jewellery brand that produces gorgeous pieces I can’t help but collect.
It’s so nice to be getting consistent sunshine these days, which means I can finally share with you this tropical treat of a dress from Hell Bunny, the Kalani 50s dress. It’s been hanging on the back of my closet door for weeks now, taunting me as rain fell repeatedly, every weekend, daring me to even wistfully consider whether it was possible to shoot it yet. But no more! The sun is here, and so is the chance to shift into spring wardrobe mode! What better way than with a floral print as lush as this one?
I often ruminate that millinery is one of those art forms that people (wrongly) think must be a lot easier than it really is. The skill required to craft a hat, fascinator or cap that looks perfect in its beauty and lasts well is immense, which is why I’m continually grateful for the day that I discovered Belbeina Lee. A one-woman business, it functions solely through the love, skill and craftsmanship of designer and maker Katie, a New Zealander mum who, as far as I’m concerned, is incapable of producing anything other than the most beautiful headpieces of the highest quality. Today, I’m thrilled to share with you one of her more recent pieces, the Ella Leaf Cap.
Miss Amy May 