UK Edition
The dress that’s universally flattering – and where to find it
Whether you're slim, curvy, tall or short, the wrap dress is a summer staple
This dress was an instant heroine on the photo shoot. There were three women present – three very different heights, busts and builds – and we all had a soft spot for both the fabric and the cut. The wrap dress is the ultimate in ‘flex appeal’.
It can be cinched super-tight and double-bowed if you are small-waisted. It can be worn with a slip-vest underneath to avoid the V-neck veering too low if you have an ample bust. With the right fabric, there is no cling – the dress glides. (‘Hide with a bit of glide,’ is what I say.)
The wrap dress can also be taken up easily at the hem because it’s often just one straight line for the seamstress (or you) to follow – and since a lot of women email me to complain about how ‘everything is too long on me’, this is a plus point I can’t overlook.
The words ‘wrap dress’ likely bring to mind Diane von Furstenburg and that royal engagement dress by Issa. Von Furstenburg herself was long the best advert for her brand. She sashayed beautifully in vibrant prints, locks wafting, and quite simply, everyone wanted a piece of it.
Ginnie wears her own shoes and a babushka canvas tote, £495, J&M Davidson, right
There wasn’t a wedding that went by during the peak post-relaunch DvF years (which I would put between 1998 and 2015) without a guest in a good old wrap dress. That’s a long time for one style to lead the way. And now it’s back to grace our summer wardrobes again.
The trick is to focus on the right length for your height, and there are plenty of variations – that trip to the tailor can easily be avoided – from flounced hems at Zimmermann, which show just enough leg, to neat below-the-knee styles at Rotate and daytime calf-grazers (good with plimsolls) at Hofmann Copenhagen. Opt for cotton if you like a bit of natural volume; choose silk for a slinkier look.
Another note on flexibility: I recently took a client shopping for a wedding outfit. The first dress she tried was the winner – a simple wrap style by Mara Hoffman. We could then build up wow factor with the shoes, bag and hat, making this a wardrobe addition she can restyle through events season and beyond.
Top image: Ginnie wears a recycled polyester dress, Stella Nova, £219 (thebiascut.com); silk Abaca Hairband, Camilla Rose, £139 (camillarose.co.uk); 9kt Yellow Gold Hoops, Lucy Devius, £325 (lucydelius.co).
Complete the look
From left to right: Cotton-mix dress, £300, Hofmann Copenhagen at Studio b Fashion; Viscose dress, £210, Rotate at Harrods; Cotton dress, £165, Jigsaw; Organic-cotton dress, £320, Mara Hoffman at Matches Fashion; Silk dress, £550, Zimmermann at Matches Fashion