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Now if the weather would only cooperate…! I did a try on of several of the new dresses I have on tap for upcoming special occasions — a dinner party, an oyster roast, a child’s birthday party where most of us parents are conveniently really good friends (and the party therefore feels like a party for us, too), and a date with Mr. Magpie are all on deck!
Several of the dresses in this roundup were gifted to me by Few Moda, including this one, which reminded me of a style by SEA. I’ve been curious about Few Moda forever and have heard good things from several Magpies who have tried. You can either pay a fee up front to get heavy discounts on everything you order, or pay more a la carte for individual items. The prices are very reasonable regardless, and they produce many of their garments in the same factories as higher end brands. (For example, this one is produced by the same factory that produces SEA’s dresses.) I wasn’t sure I needed another smocked dress but this one is an absolute dream in a soft, gauzey material that I could sleep in, and I will 100% be wearing this — probably to a date night with Landon. I like the slightly lower neckline and the dramatic sleeves, which take the dress in an unexpectedly sexier direction.
I feel a little cruel sharing this one as it’s now sold out, and it is SO good — the pattern reminds me of something Emilia Wickstead might have released! — but the brand’s founder, Tara Moni, indicated that restocks are likely, so sign up for an alert! I will be wearing this to the child’s birthday party. It’s breezy, chic, effortless, fun.
03. Bardot Slip Dress.
I know many, many of you ordered this dress, too. She’s a stunner – I literally can’t believe the price point ($129!). The pattern is so elegant / high-end, and the color soft and romantic. Slip dresses are having a moment, too, and I couldn’t help myself. I took a size 2 and the fit is perfect (I’m typically a size 0, FYI). I styled this imagining a summer wedding (of which I have been invited to ZERO — we are officially in a different age category; all our friends are married off!), but can easily convert this into a date night situation with flat sandals and a jean jacket over top. (This one’s great for layering over slip dresses because it’s snug/fitted — but very stretchy, so not restrictive — and I like the contrast between the raw hem and the refined silkiness of the dress. You can see me wearing mine with another slip dress here (scroll down). I also REALLY love this oversized denim jacket from La Ligne, which makes everything feel cooler? The fit is fab. Just boxy/oversized enough. La Ligne really knows how to cut a garment for max coolness – they just get it. You can see me layering mine over a Doen dress here — scroll down. Also, reminder that MAGPIE10 gets you 10% off at La Ligne.)
BTW, I’m wearing my forever favorite Alexandre Birman Claritas below. They are high — I can’t believe I used to wear these all the time! I’m such a wimp nowadays. But, as high heels go, these are pretty wearable, and they go with absolutely everything in your closet. Like, any cocktail dress or formal dress — these will match. In a similar vein, but less expensive and slightly lower heel: these Larroudes, which people have told me are very comfortable!
Runs a bit big — I’m not sure I’d suggest sizing down, but if you’re between sizes, take your smaller size. This reminds me so much of the Reformation Tagliatelle dress, but over $100 less (even less expensive if you are a member of Few Moda) and would be perfect for a spring wedding (I’d pair with these sandals!) or a romantic date night. One thing that jumped out at me about this dress: it’s a linen blend, which means it’s very soft — softer than linen / not scratchy at all.
05. Mille Olympia Dress.
Oooo this dress is FUN. The color palette, the dramatic OTS situation, the flounce at the hem! A great birthday party dress. I am contemplating wearing this to the Oyster Roast I mentioned with some fun hoop earrings. I took an XXS in this. As you can see on the site, you can also wear with the straps/sleeves on the shoulder, but I prefer the OTS look.
06. Few Moda Drea Dress.
OK, I’m not usually a mini girl (one of my girlfriends and I joke that we haven’t seen our knees since 2010), but this dress was too fun to pass up. It reminded me of the styles from Juliet Dunn and the color sparks SERIOUS joy. This dress runs big (I took an XS, and wish there were a smaller size), but you can cinch it up at the waistline so it still works. This would be fun for drinks with girlfriends, or a tropical trip somewhere. I love the ric rac trim at the hem!
With the exception of the Bardot dress I styled with heels, I wore these Margaux sandals with all of the dresses above and they work with every last one. I absolutely ADORE them. They’re similar in ethos to our favorite Ancient Greeks, but the ankle wrap adds a little something else? I ordered in the rose nappa color. One thing I love about Margaux is that they offer a wide range of sizes and widths. I’m technically a 34.5 (!! tiniest feet ever) and usually just make do with a 35 that’s a tad too big. So nice to find a brand that really fits!
A few other absolutely gorgeous spring dresses to consider:
01. Anything from Damaris Bailey’s newest collection with Caitlin Wilson. OMG. I own this dress in the coral color and now it’s available in the sweetest robin’s egg blue. Dreamiest wedding guest dress. Also adore this drop-waist style in the most gorgeous blue floral.
02. Cleobella has some fun new arrivals reminiscent of Zimmermann and Alemais. I love the styles in the Lagos pattern — a mini, a midi.
03. This saucy polka dot slip dress from Rixo turned my head. I am loving the slip dress life all of the sudden!
04. Of course you know I love all things Doen — a saw Monica de La Villardière wearing this one and I think I have to have it. Again, not usually a mini girl, but it’s just so sweet.
05. An effortlessly chic everyday dress in bold colors from Emerson Fry.
06. This Oliphant dress is dreamy — I’m imagining it for a backyard party / rose with friends / etc.
07. Just launched a week or so ago, and nearly all sold out, but this Tuckernuck is SO good. Love the pattern and shape of the dress.
08. I own this caftan in a different color and it’s a TOTAL stunner. The detail, the sash, the crispness of the fabric — a 10.
09. This Mi Golondrina is right up my alley. The stripes, the loose fit, the airy ease of it all! You know, one of my top litmus tests when buying a dress that I have no specific occasion in mind for is: is it a barefoot dress? The kind of thing I will really throw on with bare feet and pad around the house in? If so, I’ll probably get a good cost per wear out of it. Mille’s Saffron dress is this way — my favorite thing to throw on in the evenings and I now own it in three patterns…and this Mi Golondrina fits the same bill.
10. Deeply drawn to the pattern / colors — joyful!
P.S. Home finds in a soothing palette.
P.P.S. Observe, don’t absorb.
P.P.P.S. Imprints of a new lifestyle (on moving from NYC to suburban Maryland) — and how we decided to make the move.