8 Independent Dress Brands You Will Love
It’s safe to say I’ve got a type when it comes to dresses. A midi or maxi length, mostly with a sleeve and almost always with pockets. I do wear dungarees, jumpsuits and ever so occasionally even jeans but I find it much easier to reach for a dress in the morning. In seconds I’m ready to go, without worrying about matching up a top, cardigan or finding a belt to wear. It’s definitely lazy dressing, that started not long after my daughter was born. Dresses are super easy to pair with boots in the winter, sandals in the summer and heels for an occasion.
Over the past three years I’ve gravitated to dresses by a lot more independent designers, although I will footnote that I am definitely in a privileged position where I can afford to spend a bit more on an item of clothing. And hold size privilege as a size 16/18, whilst lots of brands stop at a size 14, lots do make my size, so I’m definitely able to buy less, but much better quality. I’ve been increasingly starting to question the quality of my clothes, who made them, the fabrics that I am putting into my wardrobe and how they effect the environment. I’ve been cautious of mentioning that, as I am not perfect, and I am still very much a consumer, however instead of two or three high street dresses (depending on where you buy them) I can buy one dress from the list below. The quality is also vastly superior to most of the high street, I’ve been reading that when shopping, items should be worn at least 30 times to justify even considering purchasing, and these dresses are so well made, I have no problem knowing that they will be with me for many years.
I’ve found that I really think about purchasing things more. Impulse purchasing mostly comes back to haunt me. How many times have you turned up somewhere and someone is wearing the same Zara dress as you? It has happened to me on a couple of occasions. Most of the time that purchase has been a serotonin ‘hit’ and almost always, I have parted ways with those dresses in one of my wardrobe culls because it doesn’t quite fit me properly. The pieces below I cherish and hopefully won’t be bumping into anyone wearing the same as me quite so often….
Sleeper
Ok, you are probably well aware of my Sleeper problem by now, I fell in love with their dresses a couple of years ago and now own 4 (plus two sets of pyjamas). Founded by two magazine editors Kate Zubarieva and Aysa Varetsa. They, they are all made from linen and made in Kyiv. Each dress comes with a slip saying who made your order, and my favourite Sleeper style is the Atlanta style dress. I take an XL in it, hopefully soon they will expand their sizing, however the elasticated panel on this could definitely accommodate a bigger chest (I’m a 38DD). Each Atlanta style comes with a matching hair bow, not all their dresses do, so if it’s a matching hair bow you are after the Atlanta is the one. I also am a fan of their Brigette style too, I have a red one, which I picked up in the sale, it was actually my first Sleeper purchase. It can be worn buttoned up, but I love wearing it open too. Keep an eye on their sale and last chance to buy section for some reduced prices, and you also get 10% off when you sign up to their newsletter. I adore their lounge dress, but this is O/S (one size) and I found the elastic a bit too tight, but might just be me. They wash really well, which is great with a 3 year old in tow, and I always give them a good steam before wearing them. Please stop making nice things Sleeper, I am begging you…
Stalf
From Kiev to Lincolnshire. Stalf was founded by Paris Hodson in the Spring of 2015 in my home county. Since launching with their infamous Cocoon jumpsuit, the collection has grown and thankfully expanded into dresses. Stalf release their collections in drops, as they manufacture to order and in certain drops use deadstock fabric remnants. Which means you might be owning something that was only available to buy once, making it super special. Stalf is available in sizes S-XL, and is designed to be a loose fit. I take a large in their items, and they also offer making items 2 inches shorter or longer, I really love being able to customise items like this. I really ummed and ahhhed about buying the Flared Maxi dress, and even when it arrived I wasn’t sure as it’s quite plain compared to some of my wardrobe. I needn’t have worried, I have worn this dress so much, I am definitely approaching my 30 wears. Whilst I’ve not actually been anywhere in it, except for walks, it’s been the perfect house dress. I am so glad I ordered it two inches shorter too. Whilst it’s fine with sandals for now, I cannot wait to wear it out with some heels and a beaded bag for dinner somewhere lovely when we are able too.
Currently there are a couple made to dispatch straight away, otherwise you can pre-order it to dispatch when it is safe too manufacture again. And yes this is the same place that my ‘prise my out of them’ sweats are from, and just to confuse matters I get those with two inches added to the length for a roll up. P.S. All washes beautifully on 30 degrees.
Mary Benson
This dress was a a long thought out purchase, and I kept telling myself I didn’t need it. I’ll be honest, I probably don’t. It’s made of silk, and entirely inappropriate to wear anywhere near a toddler. I spent a month logging on (does ANYONE say that?!) to Mary’s site and looking at it, before treating myself to it as and ‘end of 2019, you survived another year working for yourself’ treat. Mary Benson and her team use dead stock fabric and usually her dresses are runs of 10/20 limited editions. Sizing goes from 6-30 and there’s also the option of a custom made size option at an extra cost. The dress surpassed by expectations, it’s lined and so beautifully constructed. When I received the dress it didn’t quite fit, so I popped to Mary’s studio to get it altered FOC. I have oddly short shoulders, everything I put on often falls off them, this was taken up at the shoulders and now fits like a dream. You can get them plain, or you can add her already iconic moons and stars appliqué.
There’s also customised vintage available, accessories and a newly introduced bridal collection which makes me want to get married all over again.
Off On Clothing
When I worked with Etsy last year I was determined to sample some of the clothes available for sale. After looking at a few places and looking at so many reviews, I decided to go with Off On Clothing. What I love about all of these brands is they are so good at communication and always happy to help with sizing queries you have. I went for the Modal Maxi Balloon Sleeve dress, and was advised to go with a custom order which was about £19 more. Now I think they have an XXL option which is new, so I might not have needed it, but worth thinking about if you are above the XXL sizing. The dress came so quickly, is beautifully made, and I love wearing it. I love the fact you can choose whatever style you would like in a choice of so many fabrics. Making the purchase so unique, I’ve definitely got my eye on another dress from here, just look at this maxi! Fabric wise, if I had my time again I would go for a linen or darker colour as I dropped something really oily on it on my first wear and not been able to completely get rid of the stain. Totally my fault not theres, I just thought I should note this, I might even end up dying it black.
Lofty Frocks
I think an IG follower introduced me to Lofty Frocks, and I am so glad they did. Mandie works from home and turns vintage bedsheets into all kinds of sartorial wonders. My first was a blue Sundance Maxi dress with a retro floral I picked from her fabric page. The dresses are made to measure, you send over your measurements and in four(ish) weeks have your dress sent to you. When I received mine a couple of years ago it really was a emotional day, in the best way possible. I didn’t realise how hard I’d been trying to get things to fit. Not just because not everywhere goes beyond a 14, but more because we are all individuals with unique body shapes. I doubt few of us fit into the standard sizes so many clothes are sold in, which means things pull / don’t sit properly. I’m forever pulling things up back over my shoulders, and I’m sure you can think of something you always ‘struggle’ with when clothes shopping. Getting something that actually fits, is like no other shopping experience. I wrote about it when I got my wedding dress made, and whilst this wasn’t quite my wedding dress, it was a close second. You do have to have some imagination to shop this way, and I was very hesitant whilst I waited for my first Lofty Frocks order, but the dress surpassed by expectations, the quality is exceptional and you are looking at a repeat customer right here.
Little Tienda
This Australian brand are always on my saved ‘Lust List’ board on IG, started in 2012 by Em Dezentje, who began production of her own line Little Tienda in 2016. Whilst I’d had my eye on her pieces for so long, it was a bit out of budget to take a risk with the international shipping, cost of returns etc. However when there was a sale on earlier this year, in which I finally decided to take the plunge, and order. I’d been eyeing up the Ranch collection (which has since sold out) for months, as I knew the prints were something I’d wear summer after summer. I got an XL and it’s definitely oversized, no pulling at the chest here! The customs were quite low, I find Australia often is compared to the US, I ordered 3 things and customs were £19 in total. If you were ordering one piece, they would be much lower. I think often with smaller brands you have to take a leap of faith, and once you start to get to know them through once purchase you can build up trust and know what shapes / sizes will work for you. I am now a life long Little Tienda fan.
M.92
This is the dress that started the whole, my husband referring to my style, as ‘Victorian Ghost Child’. He has a point, I wouldn’t look out of place popping up at the end of Muppets Christmas Carol with the ghosts of Marley and Marley. As I mentioned above when talking about Lofty Frocks, sometimes when purchasing from indie designers, you are purchasing clothes in a traditional way we are used to. This isn’t three clicks on a website and a confirmation email pings in your inbox. Purchasing something directly on IG can seem really nerve wracking, but as a customer of M.92 I am here to say their dresses are so beautiful. The Liberty balloon sleeve dress I have has now sold out, but they have a very similar style available, and best to send a DM or email to order. What I couldn’t get over about this dress, is the craftsmanship, it doesn’t need to be lined in organza, but they did it, and it makes the dress feel so special. Every time I wear it I get stopped in the street with someone telling me how much they love it / where is it from. Now I am not saying that’s the main reason I get dressed, but it’s certainly a bonus.
Batsheva
Oh Batsheva, you were worth the wait. Like so many I’ve drooled over Batsheva’s designs for at least a couple of years, the Laura Ashley inspired prairie dresses are just beautiful! Whilst I couldn’t quite afford one, I also didn’t see the point in saving up for one as they didn’t make my size. Once I’d seen Aidy Bryant in a custom design, I was positively furious. Not just because she looked SO GOOD but I get really cross when designers make custom gowns for the red carpet but it isn’t available for the general public to buy. So often my style icons like Beanie Feldstein wear custom Mui Mui or Gucci and whilst she looks incredible, those designers aren’t making it readily available on the rack for everyone else. No, I do not have money to buy Mui Mui, but let me have my soap box rant ok. Anyway, there I was admiring the new season Batsheva on Matches, when I saw they’d gone up to a size 16 (UK 20) and after the initial five minutes of hysteria I began to plot how I was going to make that dress mine (I was very ruthless with selling my wardrobe that month). It’s also worth noting that Matches are great at giving you item specific measurements, and I ended up with a size 14 (UK18) and it fits like a dream. Currently there are 16 Batsheva pieces on Matches that go up to a size UK 20, and whilst I bought this to show support and to encourage them to stock more sizes above a 14, I can’t invest in 15 more…can I?!
I hope this 2500 word ramble helps you, as I know buying pieces like this are an investment. I definitely buy more dresses than I need because of my job, but if you have any more questions about fit, wash, or anything else, please let me know below and I’ll do my best to answer them. And to end, I’m 5ft 6 and normally take a 16/18 depending on the brand, hopefully I’ve covered all your fit questions with each individual brand above.
I already feel part two coming on, as I realised I’d left out Christy Dawn, Johanna Sands, Dilli Grey, Samantha Pleet and so many more out. I’m also very interested in getting a Wray dress, but let me know if you have any great independent dress brands, in the comments below.
