Whimsical Whites 🦢
9 Outfits of Crisp, Pristine Cotton for Long Summer Days...
We’re so back! I promise to share a full debrief of all the amazing things we saw, ate and purchased in NYC soon, but for now I’m still battling the lingering effects of jet lag, so here’s something a little gentler, inspired by the recent spell of glorious weather on both sides of the Atlantic.
Wearing white in warm weather is hardly groundbreaking, and yet whenever temperatures rise, I find myself drawn back to the same cinematic images for styling inspiration. You know me…I do love a reference.
Mary Lennox tiptoeing through the hushed corridors of Misselthwaite Manor in the 1993 adaptation of The Secret Garden, her chalky cotton nightdress making her a ghostly little figure.
The Lisbon sisters in The Virgin Suicides, dizzy with anticipation on their prom night, swirling through suburban twilight in matching ivory florals.
The ill-fated schoolgirls of Picnic at Hanging Rock, all puffs, pleats and starched innocence, contrasting against the wilderness of the Australian outback.
Even the scenes of Kirsten Dunst as Marie Antoinette frolicking through golden hour tall grass, in her Chemise à la Reine - a controversial choice for the real French Queen. There’s something so pure and gentle about head to toe white ensembles.
Considering that I returned from our recent NYC trip with no fewer than four floaty white dresses, it felt only right to dedicate a post to this summer staple!
After all, we're entering the time of year when head-to-toe white is equal parts fresh, cooling and appealing and yet undeniably perilous - one ice lolly drip and it's game
over…
Look #1
It’s my very first DÔEN piece - and I can’t lie, that exchange rate really played in my favour for this one! After trying on a few sweet frocks, this Daphne dress in white stood out by a country mile.
The delicate lace inlay, the pin-tucked details, and the crisy-crispness of the cotton all led to me tapping my card with no hesitation. It’s so rare that I buy new items, so to do so on this holiday felt like such a extravagant treat!
Styled here with some of my favourite (ie - comfiest!) Sézane sandals and a frilly peony for good measure 🌸
Look #2
I was so excited to visit Salter House - I’ve followed their account on instagram for a while now, and had more than one peruse on their website in the lead up to our trip.
We actually ended up visiting both their Soho and Brooklyn stores, which were both so lovely! This lamb nightdress in gauzy light cotton, has three embroidered motifs, including a small boy holding a lamb.
It’s so darling, and incredibly cool to wear in the heat (as I’ve already tested in the May heatwave!)
Worn here with a vintage raffia handbag, and my new Sézane silver Agathe ballerinas.
Look #3
I love how close this resembles the form of Edwardian underwear. To think, an ensemble like this would once have been considered scandalous!
The top is from Sézane, purchased last summer, although they have similar styles this year. It’s incredibly versatile, easy to wear and without sounding too middle-aged, washes really well too!
The bloomers were found at the Marché aux Puces de Vanves flea market in Paris last summer (which I’m very keen to revisit in a few weeks’ time) they are in incredible condition, especially after a bicarbonate of soda bath.
The straw bag is this one also from Sézane, and it has barely left my side all spring. It’s very much my kind of bag - a Mary Poppins-esque vessel into which I can throw absolutely everything!
Look #4
This is the second in my hat-trick of Salter House gowns - this one is called ‘Sisters’ and has such beautiful embroidery on the front panel (it’s so gorgeous I had to include the brand image below so you could see the details up close!)
This frock is a little more elaborate and detailed than pieces I’d normally wear, but I just couldn’t leave those beautiful motifs behind. The shoes and bag are both vintage, and feel more than a little ballet-core!
Look #5
Ahh I love a vintage scrap! Nine times out of ten it’s what you’ll find me rummaging for at a bootsale or flea market!
This skirt started as such a find - a small length of fabric found at the bottom of a large Ikea bag of scraps on the carboot concrete floor! I made it into a simple elasticated midi skirt, and love the aged cotton and scallop detailing.
The blouse is also vintage, worn with a vintage cameo brooch to hold it together - I love the pintuck detailing on the sleeves.
I teamed this outfit with some more masculine shoes in the shape of these secondhand Tods loafers I found on Vinted. I love the idea of soft, feminine cottons worn with a big old mannish brogues.
Look #6
Last of the Salter House dresses, and I debated for ten minutes whether to get this style in white or black colour-way, as I truly loved both. What did it come down to? Ahhh well, I’m just a sucker for a crisp white dress!
This style is one-sized, with two ribbons on each side to tie and define shape. Is it just me or does it feel slightly nautical?
The delicious shoes are pistachio Harmony ballet flats from Hai.
Look #7
Somewhere between Edwardian underwear and your slightly kooky aunt, this look is so blooming comfortable! Speaking of bloom - the bloomers are memade from old bedsheets and antique lace remnants. The top is an antique piece that I should probably wear less often, as it’s getting a little beaten up…Then again, that only makes me love it all the more!
The shoes are from Bared Footwear and feel rather grown-up, with podiatrist-designed footbeds hidden inside. See? I can wear sensible shoes sometimes!
Look #8
A dress made from an old tablecloth and a vintage apron masquerading as a dress - there’s something wonderfully domestic about this ensemble!
One of my all-time favourite makes, the dress was created from a salvaged vintage tablecloth. I carefully cut the pattern pieces around a multitude of stains and holes, making use of every salvageable section.
The apron was a Vinted find and clearly, I’m still under the Miu Miu influence! I love how easy it is to throw over an outfit, whilst only vaguely resembling actual kitchen attire.
Look #9
Brideshead is calling! These vintage shorts are called tap-shorts for their high-waisted, loose style, often worn by tap-dancers in the early 20th century. They’ve got a lovely bit of volume to them, and the embroidery is a pretty detail. I found them on one of my favourite stalls in Brightons famous vintage emporium, Snoopers Paradise - Stall 67 if you’re curious!
The blouse is Sézane - I wish I had bought a size up so it was a bit less fitted, but I do enjoy wearing the collar this way, it feels quite sculptural.
Lastly, as I was finishing this piece, I came across some beautiful stills from the 1991 film Daughters of the Dust. I've yet to see it (though it's firmly on my watchlist now) but while reading more about the film, I discovered that it was one of the major visual influences behind Beyoncé's seminal Lemonade, which instantly made sense.
Looks like I might have a new reference to add to my collection!
Lovely ! Could you tell me how you whiten with bicarbonate? I’ve got a white patterned dress that’s gone yellow round the neck