Hark! The Reformation Summer Sale is upon us. This sale feels near and dear to me, as I have been using it to stock up on all my favorite Ref pieces for years now. And whoever picked the sale items this year truly deserves a thank-you note. New arrivals, best sellers, and longtime hits are all marked down up to 50 percent!. And while many items are final sale, their sizing runs true, and each piece comes with detailed sizing notes, so you can shop with confidence.

I have rounded up a mix of transitional summer pieces and true fall ones too (despite the reality that it is still 100 degrees across the country and will be for the foreseeable future). There are options here for all occasions: summer evenings, nights out, fall days, and everything in between. Ahead is a thoughtful roundup of the 25 Reformation sale picks that have ended up in my cart.

As someone who has loved fashion since I was a child and has never turned down an excuse to turn a look, I’ve always put effort into finding the perfect birthday outfit. But one birthday dress isn’t nearly enough for a week’s worth of events: I need something hot for an adults-only party, a princess-y dress for my special day, and a casual look for lunch with my husband. Read on for what I wore during all of my birthday celebrations this year.

The Party Dress: A Curve-Hugging Animal-Print Midi

There’s something special about styling a saucy bombshell dress for your birthday party. I usually reach for a super-short, legs-out mini, but this year I have been drawn to form-fitting animal-print midis. This almost sold-out tiger-print midi from TA3 was just too good to resist.

I am a big fan of the waist-cinching technology in the L.A. label’s swimwear, but this was my first time trying its ready-to-wear clothing. I was impressed. The signature corset cords do what they're supposed to: snatch the waistline with a simple pull. Once tied, the cinch stays in place until the party’s over. This is a top contender to wear to my rain-check birthday celebration (I did not want to deal with torrential downpours on a night out!). For maximum comfort, I will ride the train un-cinched and tighten the corset right before making my entrance.

The few notes I have on this dress are minimal: the built-in cups are not quite big enough for my bust, resulting in some spillover. I also think I’d prefer the side panels without the naked illusion. If I were shopping again, I’d go for the same sculpting silhouette with black side panels. This animal-print version is sadly already sold out, but if you like this silhouette, it is still available in a variety of solids and prints."

The Birthday Princess Dress: A Fairytale Full Skirt Moment

My first name means “princess,” and while I don’t make that my personality, I do channel that with delightfully over-the-top dresses on my birthday every year. I can always count on voluminous Selkie styles to awaken my inner royalty, but this year I fell in love with a pleated mesh gown from Hutch.

Its borderline iridescent blue reminds me of the sky on a perfect summer day. The layered mesh print makes the florals look almost dreamlike and ethereal. The Amara is one of Hutch’s signature styles, so you can shop the silhouette in different colors or patterns. If you’re lucky, you might even find your favorite on sale!

The Casual Lunch Date Dress: An Airy Oversized Maxi

Not every birthday event is going to be a fancy one, but that doesn’t mean I’m wearing a standard jeans-and-T-shirt combination. Enter one of my summer essentials: the floaty maxi dress. They are just the thing for soaring temperatures. Plus, in lightweight fabrics, they keep overheating at bay.

This Old Navy dress was perfect for my birthday lunch with my husband, though it's one size away from selling out. We went to a new all-you-can-eat Korean hotpot spot, so I knew this wasn’t the time for a bodycon number. This loose, flowy dress was perfect—and the fact that it's black made me less paranoid about splashing sauce on myself. Talk about a win win!

If there's one piece I'll always reach for in the warmer months, it's a simple dress. There's something about mindlessly throwing one on and walking out the door that makes me feel like I have my life together. Dresses are one of the most straightforward things you can wear—on busy days, all you have to think about are accessories.

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, which runs through August 9, has no shortage of options—and I sorted through all 4,000 to find the ones worth buying. Luncheons, showers, the office, concerts, weddings, everyday wear—it's all here, in styles that will take you well beyond the summer season. With deals this good, I guarantee you won't just be buying one.

Princess Charlotte followed in her mother’s style footsteps at the Wimbledon men’s finals on July 12, wearing a bespoke bright blue dress by one of Princess Kate’s favorite designers, Jenny Packham. But the 11-year-old also matched with mom in terms of one detail of her dress, with both Charlotte and Kate wearing romantic flutter-sleeve styles to the event.

The Princess of Wales went for green on the last day of Wimbledon, debuting a custom Emilia Wickstead dress with dramatic cape detail extending over one shoulder and a delicate flutter sleeve. It’s a style she’s numerous times over the years, including the bright yellow Dolce and Gabbana dress with flutter sleeves she wore to Wimbledon in 2018.

While Charlotte went for a similar sleeve, hers featured more of a butterfly style with a layered, puffier second row of ruffles on top, adding a sweet tween twist to the trend.

I’ve long been a proponent of a flutter sleeve, especially when it comes to wedding guest dresses when you want something a bit more interesting than a traditional cap or short-sleeved style. Plus, if you don’t want to bare your shoulders, a loose, floaty sleeve provides coverage and a fun element to your dress without feeling too hot or restrictive.

Below, find seven dresses that embrace Charlotte and Kate's style for all of your summer celebrations.

Much ink has been spilled about the appeal of a great summer dress. As days get warmer and winter is but a distant memory, it feels right to celebrate in a garment that liberates your legs—and streamlines getting dressed so you can get outside as soon as possible. Designers are well aware of how the season’s carefree spirit impacts what you want to wear, which is why Summer 2026’s top dress trends all have a shared theme: styles that are easy, breezy, and make your life a lot less complicated.

Using the Pre-Fall 2026 collections as a reference, the laissez-faire attitude was most evident in silhouette. (Think: sculptural necklines and sleek cuts that do a lot with a little.) There was also an appreciation for artisan-led details, as seen in romantic lace, cutwork embroidery, and strategic smocking that created shape and gave pieces personality. Concurrently, the aesthetic pendulum swung toward minimalism again; save for splashes of stripes, gingham, and florals here and there, the overall look of this summer's dresses is uncontroversial, inoffensive, and neutral in color palette.

From neutral linen maxis to throw-on for last-minute farmer’s market runs to lace-trimmed slips you can dress up with the right heel if need be, this summer’s dresses encourage spending as little time as possible getting ready and as much as you can out enjoying the sunshine. Keep scrolling for a bigger—and shoppable—breakdown on the specific soon-to-be-everywhere dress trends of Summer '26.

Little White Dresses

Designers at Dior, Khaite, Victoria Beckham, and more found a warm-weather answer to the LBD—which, on a 90-degree-plus day, will bake you like an oven—a little white one. Think of it as the same dress, just in a different font (color). As in, aside from a lone cutout or ruched side panel, the silhouettes remain simplistic, and the versatile piece can be dressed up or down, depending on your calendar.

Smocked Dresses

Smocked dresses have been having their well-deserved moment in the mainstream for a few years now, fueled by celebrities like Taylor Swift, who loves options from Dôen, and Scandi brands like Ganni, which have made the gathered-fabric technique a signature of their quirky-cool designs. Breaking from the monochrome norm of past seasons, this summer's smocked dresses are rendered in plenty of prints, including picnic-ready gingham and garden florals.

Lace-Trimmed Slip Dresses

Lingerie-adjacent but destined for more than just the boudoir, lace-trimmed dresses are one of the easiest ways to add romance and a delicate touch to your summer wardrobe. You'll notice that some of the lacy slip dresses from the Pre-Fall 2026 collections fell into a traditional '90s-inspired category (Dior, Maria McManus, etc.), while others looked back at the boho energy of the '70s via ruffles and sweet puff sleeves (Chloé, Self-Portrait).

Elevated-Neckline Dresses

The difference between a basic dress and a vastly more interesting style often comes down to one subtle yet strategic tweak. This summer, it was most evident in the slew of asymmetrical and unexpected necklines. Designers like Dior, Khaite, and Rachel Comey used the décolletage as their playground, showing off-the-shoulder slips, fallen-strap cocktail dresses, and evening gowns with bodices that cut across the collarbones.

Easy Tank Dresses

They're simple in silhouette, but don't mistake their humble design for a lack of intrigue—the best tank dresses speak to a less-is-more philosophy that loyal minimalists know well and always wax poetic about. Whether you opt for a breezy linen maxi (like Kallmeyer's), which pairs well with thong sandals for casual Sundays, or a cropped tunic (like Staud's) to wear over pants, the exact cut and material are up to you. All that matters with this type of summer dress is that it boasts two easy-to-wear straps and is as comfortable as the tank tops you wear nonstop in August.

Broderie Anglaise Dresses

If you don't know broderie anglaise by name, you know it from its hole-punched look. The technique involves cutwork embroidery, where the base fabric is punched with ornamental holes, and the edges of those cuts are sewn over to create a raised, lace-like look. The detail was popularized in England’s Victorian Era—the term literally translates as “English embroidery” in French—on undergarments, home linens, and baby clothes. But now, as an essential Summer 2026 dress trend, you'll find it in babydoll mini dresses, wrap dresses you can wear to work, and beach cover-ups.

Why Trust Us

Emma Childs is Marie Claire’s fashion features editor with almost a decade of experience in the fashion industry. She focuses on in-depth trend reports and stories covering the intersection of style and human-interest storytelling. She analyzed hundreds of Pre-Fall 2026 runway shows to compile this breakdown of the season's top trends.

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand

It’s that time of year again! The kids are finally graduating. And for some reason, dressing for their ceremonies occupies this strange middle ground in our summer fashion calendars. They’re part celebration but also part sport; you’re there to celebrate, of course, but you also have to sit, shift, stand, climb, clap, and occasionally wilt under the blazing June sun. It’s not quite occasion dressing, but it’s not everyday either. Which is precisely why getting it right feels so satisfying.

High school graduations are total wildcards. Depending on the geography and school culture, you might find yourself among denim and tees or a sea of colorful sundresses. It’s entirely democratic, slightly chaotic, but also incredibly charming. College graduations, by contrast, tend to land on more stable ground—polished but not precious, and hopefully pulled together without trying too hard.

My own personal preference is to lean into separates and, perhaps, unexpectedly, pants. I think it’s because I’ve done this before and found that pants work better for hiking up metal bleacher seats that are scalding hot and sticky from spilled soft drinks. Ascending rows in tailored trousers just feels a lot more graceful than negotiating hemlines with one hand and a printed-out program in the other. However, if you’re more into skirts and have a family member to hold the program instead, opt for length and fluidity. A long or midi-length skirt that moves with you, not against.

A bit of restraint is also good here. This is not Easter brunch, nor is it the Kentucky Derby, so be careful with overly bright, floral ensembles. Instead, think in textures and tones—linen suiting in soft neutrals, crisp cotton poplin tops tucked into a great fitting breathable pant, or a silk tank layered with a lightweight blazer.

If dresses are more your thing, keep them clean, like a not-too-fussy slip or a column silhouette. Linen works beautifully here—breathable, elegant, and slightly undone in the best way. Pair with a low kitten heel or ballet flat.

Graduation style, at its best, is about balance—honoring the moment without overshadowing it. You’re not the main character here, but you’re a lovely supporting cast member. Keep scrolling to shop some of my summer graduation essentials.

This summer's fashion trends spotlight the low-effort statement—the idea of offering a peek into who you are and what you prioritize in your wardrobe, without being fussy or overwrought. It's about ease and impact in equal measure in Summer 2026. There are no super strappy tops you have to contort to get into or rompers that prove problematic when it’s time to use the restroom—but there are plenty of breezy linen slips and loose trousers. Call it a “work smarter, not harder” approach.

Across the Pre-Fall 2026 collections, brands used strategic materials and cut-outs to their—and the wearer’s—advantage. Khaite’s off-the-shoulder blouse offered something more interesting than your standard tank top. The trapeze summer dresses at The Row and Max Mara, rendered in organic cotton and silk, delivered twofold: an oversized silhouette that's not to be missed and ventilation. Multi-purpose pieces were another great bonus of the season; Spring 2026’s sheer trend carries over into breezy tunics and slip dresses that’ll work for both the beach and aperitivo hour.

Ahead, we’ve pinpointed eight of these streamlined summer fashion trends. They’re easy-to-wear, yes, but don’t mistake that for a lack of personality; each of the trends below will make an impression, whether it’s understated, bold, or something in between. Oh, and if you need more specific inspiration, peruse Marie Claire's coverage of the summer shoes, It bags, layering tricks, and jewelry trending for Summer 2026.

Personality Skirts

When you can't be bothered to think too hard about what to wear, rely on these two simple ingredients: a basic top and a personality skirt—that is, a skirt covered in fringe, sequins, or crystals, rendered in a print or a color you can't ignore, or cut into an unconventional shape like a bubble hem or saron. The bottom half will do the bulk of your outfit's heavy lifting, so all you need to do is pair it with whatever tank or tee is within reach.

Trapeze Dresses

When it's 90 degrees outside, there are few things more infuriating than a garment sticking to your skin and making you feel sweatier than you already are. In an A-line dress that billows, or a breezy caftan designed to float around your figure, you don't run that risk. For Summer 2026, specifically, look for flared-out minis and maxis in tropical florals or with pops of punchy persimmon orange.

Summer Suiting

No matter how desperately you wish to shirk your responsibilities and escape to the seaside in the summer, duty still calls. At least for Summer 2026, designers took the time to remix professional pieces, making your daily doldrums less boring (hopefully). At The Row, Dior, and Kallmeyer, long Bermuda shorts and tailored culottes were smart swaps for trousers. The retro skirt suit earned a remix, too, with Gucci and Valentino showing edgier, less stuffy versions in black and metallic tweed.

Shoulder Play

Sometimes the fashion lay-up you were looking for can be found in an offbeat silhouette. This summer, that's any piece that plays with the shoulders—an off-the-shoulder tunic instead of your usual spaghetti-strap tank or a maxi dress with an asymmetrical neckline. You'll be impressed by how big of a difference such a small tweak can make.

Marinière Stripes and More

Breton stripes—a.k.a. marinière stripes—are a reliable summer signature. The twist for Summer 2026 is that designers didn't stop at the fisherman-approved print. From thin pinstripes to color-blocked chunks and black-and-white lines sure to hypnotize, pick whichever striped print suits you best.

Summer Sweaters

Open-weave cardigans, cotton crewnecks, and even a thick Fair Isle sweater worn unbuttoned—Pre-Fall 2026 paid focus to an oft-forgotten seasonal essential: the summer sweater. Like it or not, temperatures tend to dip once the sun sets, and corporate offices typically don't accept input on their AC settings, so you'll want to have a lightweight knit on standby this season.

Strategic Sheers

A wear-less ethos is synonymous with the season, so it's never a surprise when sheers emerge as a summer trend. What was noteworthy this time around, though, was how designers used those familiar see-through fabrics. At Chanel, lace underskirts were layered under scarves wrapped around the waist to create demure leg slits. At Chloé and Kallmeyer, bohemian slips made of see-through silk and linen hinted at what's beneath. The throughline is being strategic, whether it's with the styling or the garment's fabrication.

Wide Awake

These are pants for when it's too hot to hear yourself think. Front-pleat trousers so breezy they could pass as maxi skirts. Wide-leg denim that looks more like palazzo pants than your standard stiff Levi 501s. Choose whatever material or color you desire, but when it comes to the silhouette, one thing is crystal clear: the bigger, the baggier, the more breathable, the better.

Why Trust Us

Emma Childs is Marie Claire’s fashion features editor with almost a decade of experience in the fashion industry. She focuses on in-depth trend reports and stories covering the intersection of style and human-interest storytelling. She analyzed hundreds of runway shows to compile this breakdown of the top Summer 2026 fashion trends.

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand

In an attempt to diversify my winter layering even more as the intensity of the season trudged on, I looked to an old reliable styling hack and standard of 2000s dressing: dresses over pants.

An extra intentional layer is key in building warmth on the coldest of days. But layering pants under a dress—or something longer than a shirt or sweater—pushes the boundaries of what otherwise could be a more simple outfit. I think this can also work really well as a transitional approach from spring to summer, so these ‘fits aren't limited to just tundra conditions. It’s a weird enough combination to command the impression of having style, but it goes hand in hand with having the confidence to not let the heaviness of the layers wear you instead.

You really have to be prepared to bring a little drama. I tried three different types of pants as my base: baggy jeans, sturdy leggings, and a tapered trouser. My three dresses had to provide as much variety of texture in fabric, weight, and shape—and I actually loved all of the combos I threw together. I think they could all be interchangeable to a certain degree, so I look forward to trying out more riffs on this formula between now and summer, when my legs can finally be free.

A Sweater Dress Over Baggy Jeans

I was in New York for a quick overnight trip to style a shoot, and had intended to wear a cold weather go-to of mine: a Sacai sweater/shirtdress hybrid with wooly argyle tights and my Sacai x Ugg loafers. About 10 minutes before getting out the door on that brisk 15-degree morning, something about the flounciness of the dress with the tights seemed a little too “sweet” for the occasion. I panic-pinged Hanna, who was assisting me that day (and already on her way) to see if I should do the dress over the baggy jeans I wore on my train commute into the city instead. She has excellent personal style, so, naturally, she voted for the denim, which made the look about 10x cooler than I had planned. She was correct! The flounciness of the dress felt more like a peplum over the jeans, and the bigger silhouette brought more drama. I was super warm, and everyone on set had something nice to say about my outfit—a total win.

A Dress Over Leggings

I’ve been doing a ton of colorblocking in my winter layers (as inspired by the Prada Spring 2026 runway), and noticed this secondhand Prada T-shirt dress didn’t get nearly enough love this fall. I was trying to bring her into the fold this winter with some creative styling, because, in cotton and silk, she's rather flimsy. I layered it with a pop of red turtleneck and navy velour Alaïa leggings (an epic sample sale find) to peek out from the side slits, and topped it off with the wintry warmth of a cashmere cardi and Uggs.

I felt a little art teacher-y in this one, but I didn’t mind. It felt like a nice break from the robotic “sweater, jeans, repeat” formula forced upon me by the cold. And, all together, the layers were supremely comfortable and warm. Sometimes, in the effort of pushing an unordinary outfit of mine out the door, I can feel a little bit too “look at me!” in the dead of winter in my New England town, but this one felt actually pretty normal when I was bopping around running errands and walking the dog to my office. I also can see it working really well in March or April, when my outdoor coat isn’t fully covering it up.

A Dress Over Trousers

I’m constantly looking for more interesting “going out” looks for date nights or girls’ dinners that aren’t just a top and jeans, especially in the cooler months. One of my hacks is to add a touch of an unexpected texture, and, lately, that has been giving my crochet some airtime, even in the cold. I thought it would be fun to play with the sheerness of this ancient Zara dress (12 years strong!) over a very simple elastic-waist tapered trouser that I nabbed from a Margiela sample sale about 15 years ago.

I’m a little fatigued from an all-black look, and didn’t want to totally freeze, so I added a cream Ralph Lauren cashmere sweater tank from the RealReal and these super old Valentino lace-up ballet boots to bring a little more of a dancer off-duty vibe. This outfit was surprisingly comfortable and not as cumbersome as I imagined it would be. It feels like a refreshing, freezing-temps option that had me feeling fab instead of my usual winter drab.

Since winter is showing no signs of slowing down (especially in New York City), I've been daydreaming about my warm-weather wardrobe—specifically, what I'll be packing for my European getaway in just a couple of months. I have just enough time to build my spring fashion wishlist, and it seems Sézane read my mind with the launch of its Pre-Spring 2026 collection.

The French fashion brand's new drop features the kind of early-spring finds you would expect to see on vacationing Parisians. From dainty embroidered blouses to pair with denim to breezy dresses for one-and-done vacation outfits, I'm considering this collection my one-way ticket to chicer warm-weather dressing.

Spring will be here before you know it. Whether you have a trip in the books or need to refresh your seasonal wardrobe, the Sézane pieces below have that je ne sais quoi you're looking for.

While panic-searching my closet for something suitably dressy to wear to a ritzy hotel event, I had a very Cher Horowitz moment that went a little like: I have nothing to wear. Considering the volume of clothing I own, that sounds dramatic. But winter dressing is different.

Somewhere along the way, I may have dug myself a hole by insisting that nothing really matters in winter besides coats. Whoops. Eight out of ten times, this statement proves true. I do, in fact, have an excellent coat collection.

What I didn’t have was a strong lineup of cold-weather dresses. I own nearly every summer silhouette under the sun, but my fall and winter dress rotation was…bleak. Cozy knits, elevated maxis, event-ready styles that didn’t require freezing or sacrificing style—none of them were really there.

So I went on a mission. I ordered, tried, returned, repeated. I scrolled hundreds of pages, tried on over 50 dresses, and eventually landed on a tightly edited lineup that actually earned a permanent spot in my closet. These 19 finds are versatile enough for winter weddings, work events, and those in-between occasions that still call for something elevated, even when it’s freezing outside. Consider this the result of a very thorough (and occasionally unhinged) search.

I did the digging so you don’t have to. Below, the winter dresses I’m firmly standing behind.

Sweaters are an easy fashion purchase to justify, especially in the winter. They're pretty much the only thing you want to wear, they come in every color and shape you can imagine, and you can style them in many, many different ways. If you want to make your life even easier, though, turn to sweater dresses—a one-and-done outfit that'll keep you cozy and looking polished in one fell swoop.

Much like in the broader knit universe, the best sweater dresses come in a variety of shapes and styles, from mini, midi, and maxi to turtleneck, off-the-shoulder, and polo. We've rounded up some of the best (and coziest-looking) on the market to round out your winter wardrobe before the cold really settles in.

Mini Sweater Dresses

Midi Sweater Dresses

Maxi Sweater Dresses

Off-the-Shoulder Sweater Dresses

Turtleneck Sweater Dresses

Polo Sweater Dresses

Few things get me as excited as holiday dressing. There’s something so wonderfully freeing about getting ready for an event where color and shine is not only not frowned upon, but cheerfully celebrated.

I love seeing rich hues and sparkles galore as I shop, but over time, the selection can start to feel a little… expected. There’s nothing wrong with classics, of course—but if you're looking for a holiday party dress that will have all eyes on you, try one of these style tricks. I guarantee you'll be the belle of the ball (drop).

Unexpected Color and Texture

When you think about holiday dressing, there are probably a few colors that immediately spring to mind: festive reds and greens, shiny metallic silvers and golds. Purple probably isn’t on that list at all, which makes it a great way to make sure your holiday dress stands out in a crowd.

I wore this dress from Eloquii to a holiday pop-up launch party and had so many great conversations that started with questions about it. (As someone whose favorite color has been purple since childhood, the beauty of the shade is always a welcome topic for me.) It’s not just the color that sets it apart: The lush crushed velvet of this twist-bodice maxi adds another unexpected touch.

Combined with the built-in shoulder pads, these elements feel like a nod to the '80s without being overly literal. It brings to mind the return to whimsical maximalism we saw on the Spring 2026 runways, particularly at Valentino. I’m personally very here for it, especially after what feels like years of inescapable “quiet luxury” and muted shades.

I got this dress in my usual Eloquii size (18/20), and I found it fit just right: true to size, without squeezing or feeling at all uncomfortable, and really highlighted my curves nicely. For a party on a bitterly cold night, I wore it with red knee-high boots, my new go-to faux fur coat, a red lip, and Samantha Pleet’s signature rosebud bag.

Sequin Upgrade

Let me make something clear: I love sequins. LOVE them. I’ll never turn them down. But when it comes to holiday party dresses, sometimes the selection can feel like a sea of the same sequins. You’ll probably still look amazing, but if you want to make sure you aren’t showing up in a too-similar sequin dress as someone else at the shindig, I recommend what I think of as their fashion-forward cousin: paillettes.

If you aren’t familiar, paillettes are typically made of the same sturdy metallic materials as sequins, but they differ when it comes to size and how they're attached. Where sequins tend to be smaller and firmly sewn onto the fabric base in the center, paillettes are often larger and hang from the the top, meant to dangle and enhance movement. The way they move and shimmer in the light is a dream.

I’ve been a fan of them for a while, so I’ve been happy to see more paillette options on the market this holiday season. This dress from Hutch, available in sizes XXS to 3X, is a perfect example: The gorgeous deep red hue is stunning in and of itself, as is the body-skimming silhouette that works on curves even better than I would have expected. What takes it to the next level, in my opinion, is the unique shape of the paillettes—the elongated teardrop is so pretty, and something about it made me want to shimmy at the slightest provocation (and I absolutely did!)

I wore it to a fragrance dinner at the iconic Baccarat hotel, and this dress felt like it was made for the opulent setting. Surrounded by sparkling crystal and ornate chandeliers, it would be easy to feel underdressed, but this dress absolutely lived up to the occasion. Over the course of the night, I got more compliments than I could count—both at the dinner and on the train on the way. (Because yes, fashion people do take the subway, contrary to all the discourse after the Chanel Métiers d'art show last week.)

For sizing, I recommend going up one size if you have a fuller bust. I tried on my usual size (2X) at a showroom preview, and while it fit everywhere else well, it was too snug to be comfortable around the fullest part of my chest. I was a little worried that going up to a 3X would make the rest of the dress too big, but I was happy to see that the cut actually draped beautifully. It also was surprisingly comfortable on, as it's fully lined; the rounded bottoms of the paillettes didn’t scratch the inside of my upper arms the way smaller sequins are prone to.

Literal Crystals

If you're truly committed to sparkle, there’s another sequin alternative that's as gorgeous and as it is luxurious: crystal mesh. I’m talking about hundreds of individual crystals, all hand-fastened to netted mesh material. The effect is just as stunning as you’d think.

This is a style I love so much, I actually chose it as part of my holiday capsule collection with Baacal, the plus-size label from Cynthia Vincent. I’ve been a fan of the designer's work for decades now, so getting to partner with her to curate this collection is a personal dream come true. It certainly doesn’t hurt that her pieces are beautifully made to be forever-fixtures in your wardrobe.

I already owned an earlier version of this crystal mesh gown, and it's surprisingly versatile. I’ve worn it from the most formal occasions (including to receive the Full Figured Industry Award for Advocacy) to New York Fashion Week to a night out (with tap pants, chunky boots, and an oversized leather jacket). So when I saw that Vincent was rereleasing it in three new colorways—including this lush deep blue—I knew I could co-sign it with my full chest.

The style is created for maximum impact and real rewearability. (The crystals are firmly attached, and stay that way even with repeated wear!) It also just looks phenomenal on curves. I got this one in my usual Baacal size 3 (the equivalent of an 18/20 in standard sizing), and it fits like it was made for me. I’ve also seen it on friends of different sizes and body types, and it looked gorgeous on all of them. I styled mine with this shimmery rich brown trench coat (also from my Curvily x Baacal edit) and minimal heels, and I’m already planning my New Year's Eve rewear (with skimpy layers underneath for night of dancing, made possible by the fact that the fabric isn't scratchy and won’t irritate my skin).