There’s one dress from FatFace’s new summer line that’s the dress of the summer for me, and the black midi dress is so flattering and versatile I’ve already styled it three ways
If there’s one thing that no summer wardrobe is complete without, it’s a midi dress. Eternally versatile, easy to wear for all occasions, and breezy enough to keep you cool and comfortable in the summer heat, a good midi will be one of the most worn pieces in your wardrobe.
In the pursuit of finding the perfect summer dress, I decided to pick up FatFace’s Adeline Black Tiered Strappy Dress which promised to check all the boxes, to see just how much wear I could get out of it. The Adeline dress may look simple with its block black colour and understated silhouette, but that’s exactly why I was sure it would become one of the hardest working pieces in my wardrobe.
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Priced at £99 it is a little bit of a splurge, but considering how frequently you’ll be able to wear it I would say it’s a worthwhile investment. It has a shirred bust that’s super stretchy and comfortable to wear, with a subtle sweetheart neckline and tiered midi-length skirt.
To make sure it would be the workhorse my wardrobe needs, I styled the Adeline Dress in three distinctly different ways – one for work, one for evening, and one for a more casual day out. And boy oh boy did it deliver.
Why I picked FatFace’s Adeline midi dress
The Adeline midi dress is made from 100% ramie, which is a renewable plant fibre made from the nettle family, and is biodegradable, making it a fantastic sustainable choice. The ramie material has a similar look to linen, although I found it to be a little stiffer and less soft than linen would be.
Ramie is also supposedly one of the strongest natural fibres – and twice as strong as linen – so it’ll be hardwearing and should last a lifetime in your wardrobe. I will say the slight stiffness made it less flowy than I’d have liked, and creases were a little harder to get out (not unlike linen). However this also meant it held its shape beautifully, and maintained its flattering empire silhouette.
If you want a softer material, Boden’s Wren Double Cloth Midi Dress is made from 100% cotton, with wider straps and a V-neckline. You could also pick up Finery London’s Jude Black Cotton Midi Tiered Dress for £69, or H&M’s adjustable Tiered Strappy Dress for £32.99.
I typically wear a size 14, but opted for a size 12 in the Adeline Dress as I have a smaller bust and didn’t want it too loose or tent-like, and I have to say it was the right call. The stretch does however mean it would fit larger chests too, although you may need to wear a bra under if you prefer some additional support.
It’s available in sizes 6 to 24, with both short and regular lengths to choose from. I’m 5ft 4” and opted for the regular, and it was just the perfect ankle length on me.
The stretch fit of the bodice is what makes this dress so incredibly flattering. Rather than drowning you in too much fabric, it creates a fit and flare shape that skims over areas like your tummy, hips and thighs whilst still creating a structured shape that accentuated your waist and curves.
How to style it
For work I paired the Adeline Dress with some simple ballet pumps with a pop of red and a pair of oversized sunglasses, and although it was easy enough to throw a lightweight jacket or cardigan over the top for some added warmth and coverage. The midi length and thicker, structured material made it smart enough for the office, whilst still being comfortable enough to spend all day sitting down at my desk in.
For evening, a quick switch to a pair of heels and a statement bag instantly changed the look of the dress, without needing to do much more than that. An updo helps show off the sweetheart neckline, and just like for the office, the material helped carry it into more formal territory whilst still being comfortable.
Finally, I needed the dress to be totally wearable for brunch dates, evenings at the pub, even just walking the dog at the beach if need be. A fun necklace and a pair of trainers gave the Adeline Dress an immediate new look, and it was so breezy and effortless that it managed to tow the line sometimes tricky between looking effortless without looking lazy.
For me this was a top summer purchase, and I love that I can get so much use out of it. I’m all for pieces that you can wear year after year, season after season, and I could just as easily throw on some biker boots and a wool coat with this for the winter as I could some sandals and suncream during the summer.
