I wasn’t going to do a blog post this week as we’ve been on holiday in Devon, was lovely, thanks for asking, but a rainy day and evenings where the pubs shut at 9pm means I’ve had a bit of time to put something together for you. I thought I’d focus again on some of my favourite Small brands who all make excellent dresses. I love a dress, and if I can buy one from a small business then that’s even better. Having said that, I bought 4 dresses with me to Devon and haven’t worn a single one. They are not really conducive to 10 mile walks and beach sitting.
All of these brands have a focus on ethical and sustainable manufacturing and fabrics, so the prices can often reflect that. They are not cheap, but when buying something from a small brand I wouldn’t expect something cheap. The limited runs and the individuality of these dresses are worth paying that bit extra for, but I have added some high street alternatives for you too, as I know right now in particular, money is tight.
Denim jackets go just perfect with all these dresses. Worth looking for vintage ones in charity shops or markets if you can as they always get better with age, and don’t go telling me they aren’t cool, as they will always be cool. One of the easiest summer jackets to wear, just maybe don’t team it with a pair of jeans, unless you want to look like Status Quo, in which case, keep on rocking all over the world…
KEMI TELFORD
I had to start with Kemi Telford, if you’re a regular blog and Instagram reader you will know this is a brand I’ve loved for quite a while now. I think I love Yvonne’s ethos and personality almost as much as I love the dresses she designs and sells. She also named a dress after ME, so for that I love her even more! An honour. All Kemi Telford dresses are made from sustainable fabrics, almost all of them have pockets and they fit like a dream! She’s even introduced selling tiny tape measures so you can ensure you get the fit you want, thus (hopefully) meaning less returns for her to deal with. In summary, these dresses are an absolute JOY.
1. Kemi Telford KATE dress
2. Izipizi Reading Glasses (because they were a godsend until I discovered multifocal contacts) 3. Hush Carol Denim Jacket
4. Veja Rio Branco Trainers
5. Gucci Red Leather Disco Bag
DILLI GREY
If Boho is your vibe then look no further than Dilli Grey. You may not be heading off to the markets Morocco or Ibiza, you may also not been wandering the cobbled streets of Santorini, but if you wear one of these dresses to your local Lidl and pick up one of their cold meat selections and decent bottle of red, you could catch a feeling of holidays gone by.
Perhaps the Lidl feeling only works when it’s in Spain and you are heading back to a Villa with a welcoming sunlounger and a pool. Not a Semi Detached with a broken deckchair and a leaky paddling pool… but check out Dilly Grey for floaty Indian made kaftan Style dresses. They also sell mini me versions, sleepwear and home furnishings.
1. Dilli Grey Bianca Midi Dress
2. Oliver Bonas Cat Eye Sunglasses
3. Levis Ex Boyfriend Trucker Denim Jacket
4. Liberty Little Marlborough Tote Bag
5. Saucony Jazz Original Trainers
MEADOWS
Meadows is new brand on my radar, owned and designed b the same team behind LF Markey (who’ve recently done a collaboration with Whistles). Where LF Markey is the place to find a great boxy jumpsuit, Meadows is more dreamy romantic dresses and embroidered blouses. These dresses wouldn’t seem out of place in that film Midsommer. A film that I couldn’t face watching just based on the freaky 30 second trailer than was on TV last year in EVERY SINGLE AD BREAK.
I used to love a good horror film. We would scare ourselves shitless as teens watching the Exorcist, Poltergeist and Friday 13th. I still can’t look at a corn field the same way since watching Children of the Corn. These days I don’t want to spend good money getting scared. I can just watch the news for free and get the same feeling.
1. Etsy Floral Bow Scrunchies
2. & Other Stories Pearl Bead Bag
3. Meadows Myos Embroidered Dress
4. Mango Faded Denim Jacket
5. Camper Off White Leather Sandals
PINK CITY PRINTS
If prints are your thing, then this brand will be for you. Pink City Prints uses mainly hand block printed fabrics from Jaipur. This Palm tree one is top of my wish list right now. I love a good palm tree. I’ve been thinking about getting a new tattoo recently. I have narrowed it down to either a Palm Tree, a Rose or a Swallow, Maybe a swallow sat in a palm tree with a rose in it’s mouth to incorporate all three? Maybe not. Maybe I’ll just get ‘I heart Brentford FC’ tattooed across my buttocks instead…
1. Anthropologie Lydia Twist Headband
2. South Beach Straw Tote Bag
3. Pink City Prints Tropical Lolita Dress
4. All Saints Maisy Cropped Denim Jacket
5. Nike Court Vision Low Trainers
JUSTINE TABAK
We had to end on Justine Tabak for the same reason we started with Kemi Telford, because I just LOVE her dresses. There’s a real vintage Laura Ashley vibe going on with some of them, particularly with the Liberty Print and the puff sleeves. Timeless dresses made in the UK. A lot of them work for any season too, with trainers in or sandals in the summer and boots and tights in the winter. I have bought 3 dresses from Justine Tabak now, everytime I wear them I get compliments. Mainly from myself in the mirror at the moment, but still…
1. Justine Tabak Navy Cotton Frome Dress
2. APC Brown Leather Half Moon Bag
3. Boden Classic Denim Jacket
4. Isabel Marant Suede Dicker Boots
Thanks for reading, I haven’t decided next weeks topic as yet. Is it too early for boots? I think maybe, what about sweatshirts, or cardis again? Let me know if there’s anything specific you’d like to see soon.
Kate x
