My (odd) Quest To My Ultimate Summer Dress

One morning, last week, on the lift down from my flat, I got chatting to one of my neighbours and her adorable 3 year daughter. Ever the self-proclaimed expert on all things girly, I took it upon myself to extensively compliment the stylish toddler on her super cute outfit.

Just as I started telling myself (in my head, don’t worry) that it was a bit odd I could elaborate that much on a 3 year old outfit (and actually know the brands), I took a look at the mirror (it was a long journey down) and gasped.

There staring at me – 2 girls (well 3 if you count the mother but it doesn’t help my story), 30 years gap, 1 outfit. Yes, the 3 years old and I were outfit twins.

1. Green Parka – the mid-season transition must have. Check.

2. Beige A-shaped shift dress – the ever classic and chic dress. Check.

3. Brown tights – you need those in the British Spring. Check.

4. Brown Uggs. Comfy. Me, for driving, and the Little girl I guess for running around or whatever little girls this age do (I have a Little Man so I am more familiar with boys type of activities).

Mmm.

Now it is not new news that I have always been inspired by Toddlers Clothes.

Why?

I could say it’s the super edgy designs (hello fancy super designer collaboration with Kids Brands a la Stella Mc Cartney  for GAP). And that would be true.

I could say it’s the crazy attraction of sizes so small I definitely can’t get into (size 2 when 2 is actually an age is definitely unachievable). And that would be a tiny bit true.

But the real true honest reason would be that sometimes, those well designed baby dresses tick all my boxes: i) Simple, ii) Chic, iii) A shaped Shift and iv) Comfy (and just for the record I am only talking about the dress NOT the coordinated nickers they usually make with them ).

So, as I am hunting now for my ideal summer dresses (for some reason I seem to be hating all my wardrobe these days and feel the need for a total make over) and struggling to find anything that clicks within all my usual favourite brands, I finally found my Graal ….Baby Gap by Diane Von Furstenberg.

How cool are THOSE dresses??? Don’t answer, very cool, I know!

Now, armed with this infatuation, I was about to do my usual i) complaining to the GAP Sales people on why they don’t make them in bigger sizes (like 30year old size), ii) sending my usual email to The GAP Inc to say exactly the same (I am sure I am in some kind of red list) and iii) buy a mini version in the secret hope to ask a dressmaker to make me one my size.

Then, I stopped and did some thinking. See, I really, really wanted to find a solution (get myself a dress) so the above didn’t seem very convenient. And it’s a good thing I did as I then realised: Diane Von Furstenberg is a brilliant “grown up” clothes designer. I have always loved her collections but for some reason, she never made it to my repertoire or wardrobe. Now, thanks to her amazing GAP collection, I went to check her out. In detail.

I think I found my summer uniform. Meet the Dallas Shift Dress. In Cherry Also available in Light Spring Leaf). Meet my new Summer Uniform.

Funny how tortured (and just plain weird) can be the ways that lead you to your sartorial heaven.

Diane, you got yourself a new fan

What about you guys? Any more fans of Diane out there?

Did you find another Summer Dress staple you would like to share?

Bisous bisous.

 

PS: Pictures courtesy of www.dvf.com