I’m still planning out what I want to be wearing once spring comes along, but ever since seeing Steven Alan’s spring collection I’ve known that really simple little cotton dresses have to feature in somewhere. Only I’m really picky; my ideal dress is knee-length (or just above the knee), has no bells and whistles or crazy trim, and has just a touch of a waist. Permanent Vacation made perfect ones, but I just saw on their website that they quit making clothes for good, so stalking their site for sale dresses won’t be an option anymore.
But then I saw the Swedish brand Up The Wooden Hill’s mini collection of spring dresses, and they are pretty perfect too. I love the loose shapes and liberty prints. Plus the model’s hair and hazy Søren Jepsen photos (his The Locals is one of my favorite new street style sites) make me think of silent films and Thomas Hardy heroines all wrapped into one, and if there’s a better inspiration for spring than that I haven’t found it yet.
Photos: 1 and 2: Up the Wooden Hills . . . . . . . . . . . 3: dresses by Steven Alan and Monki . . . . . . . . . . . . 4: Hello Mr. Fox.
I want one!
I love the cuffed sleeves on the first dress — and Hello Mr Fox always has the most inspirational, dreamy images..
Those photos are so pretty! I feel I’m always looking for the perfect white dress!
Amber
themagikmirror.blogspot.com
Adoring the last photo <3
love love love your photos (and of course the dresses are beautiful)! i adore spring dresses and while i love the coats and boots of winter…i am looking forward to wearing swingy dresses once again
THESE ARE ALL PERFECTION.
love love love love!
these springy posts are getting me through the tail end of winter and giving me something to look forward to!
I’m so glad! It got really cold here again so I’m wanting it to be spring especially now
Love the first two dresses, the rolled up sleeves give it a casual look.
oh my gosh and do you know how EASY these dresses would be to sew?? Super adorable. I’m loving the cuffed/rolled sleeves and what looks like a self-binding on the neckline.
ha ha, I’m the worst at sewing! They do look easy . . . . maybe one of these days I’ll try to sew a sun dress again. Usually mine look so bad I’m embarrassed to wear them out
How lovely
@rachel– i was just going to comment about how it would be a great DIY project!!! great minds think alike!
I especially like the first two the model has the most darling expressions!
Oh yes, those dresses from ‘Up the Wooden Hills’ are lovely … I’m going to drool over their site after leaving here.
I also like dresses that are at are *just* above the knee … and relaxed fits with a hint of waist are lovely.
I know, I really like long-ish dresses in summer when I can’t wear tights!
oh. that monki dress is absolutely perfect! i wish there were stockists near to me. you really can’t beat a twee cotton dress (: xo
Hello, long-time reader, first-time commenter here! Just before I came to your blog today I was searching for an online Monki stockist and was so sad to find there wasn’t one… and now I’ve seen that epitome of dress perfection above courtesy of Monki it’s even worse! It’s so pretty and completely what I want for spring, oh no!
I adore your blog by the way, you’re a massive inspiration, so thank you!
Holly x
Thanks, Holly! I know . . . . I wish Monki sold somewhere in the states too.
The first dress reminds me of my first attempt to make my own pattern based on an existing vintage dress…I feel like I need to get my sewing machine out! Love your blog. Great inspiration:)
xo
toridawn
Thanks !
Ooh I almost bought a dress similar to the (Steven Alan?) blue denimy one in a charity shop today! I might run back and grab it now you’ve inspired me
(assuming it’s still ther of course. Thanks!
love the last pic
PS, to the ones who told me it’d be easy to just make a dress . . . . I just bought a pattern book from Japan and I’m going to try sewing again! I’m really bad at sewing but I think that if I buy decent fabric and really pay attention to details I might be able to make something wearable.