The Smocked Dress :: What, How and Now
So, what do you wear when it’s hot and sticky? You know my personal Summer favorite is a T-Shirt dress. Second favorite? The Smocked Dress.
I’ve looked at these dresses for a while with disdain. They kind of looked like cover-ups to me. Not something I’d want to wear out in public if I wasn’t headed to the pool. And, the smocking at the top reminded me of the 80′s for some reason. Not that that’s a bad thing…
This season though, I kept seeing cute smocked dress after cute smocked dress. I finally broke down and bought one. Verdict? I’m a fan. They are comfortable and cute. You can dress them up a bit with wedges and statement jewelry or slip on flip flops and pull your hair back.
There are definitely styles that are versatile enough for everyday wear. Hell…there are even some styles appropriate for the workplace.
What is a Smocked Dress
Some sites will call a dress that looks like a painter’s smock a ‘smock dress’. That’s not what I’m talking about at all. Smocking is an embroidery technique used to gather fabric so that it stretches. Smocked dresses are dresses with smocking. The painter’s smock dresses are essentially just tunics.
How To Wear a Smocked Dress
Belt
To accentuate your natural waist and add more shape to the smocked dress, belt the waist. Wear the belt at the bottom of the smocking.
Layers
If you live in a cooler climate, you can layer the smocked dress is lots of ways. Wear the dress over leggings. Add a cardigan. You might even wear it over jeans (though I think this look is hard to pull off).
Shoes
For a casual Summer look, go with strappy gladiators or metallic flip-flops. To dress the look up a bit, wear wedges or gladiator heels.
Smocked Dresses Right Now
The temperature has just reached 90 and my a/c is struggling to keep up. Making me feel like it’s time to head to the pool. In a smocked dress, of course. *wink*
What is your favorite outfit to beat the heat?
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July 15th, 2010 at 8:46 am
Cute! I definitely have to go buy one of these now!
August 3rd, 2010 at 3:27 pm
I totally hear you for the heat and humidity, but at least you are in Austin which is such a cool city for the state of Texas
. Beautiful finds – I love those dresses and the alternative to wear them in the heat!
September 17th, 2010 at 2:52 am
Good fashion. Thnx
October 28th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Could a plus size figure wear a smocked dress or is that a big “no”?
October 29th, 2010 at 9:57 am
Anna – Definitely! I would go for one that is smocked at the top and the bottom. Like the 4th one in the last picture…the one from Nordstrom.
Have fun!