To-tulle-y Awesome!

Add some whimsy to your look with a tulle minidress

After months of lockdown loungewear, who doesn’t feel like shedding that skin and stepping out in a fantasy frock that serves some serious fashion feels?

This mini dress by H&M is a fabulous ‘homage’ to the Molly Goddard gowns we fell in love with when Villanelle graced Paris’s Place Vendôme in her bubblegum pink, sugarplum fairy creation [Killing Eve, Season 1]. Some of us maximalists were already in thrall to the feminine allure of tulle, but so has its appeal captured collective hearts, Goddard’s shows are now amongst the hottest tickets at London Fashion Week.

This frou-frou, frothy frock, however, is not for everyone; indeed it may even strike fear in the heart of many, given the tendency for tulle and ruffles to add bulk to an otherwise streamline figure. So I thought I’d style it two ways, to highlight the versatility of the piece and try to dissipate those fears!

Look 1: It’s a Cinch!

By adding a belt, I have instantly minimised the overwhelm that can be felt when wearing tiers of tulle. Creating a waist, where none exists in the dress itself, helps contain the pouffe and toughen up this otherwise feminine piece.

Using a sharp, contrasting colour like black for the belt, shoes and earrings breaks up the look and adds points of focus. It’s still whimsical and soft, but it’s now more boîte- than boudoir-ready… if you see what I mean!

Wearing the neckline in the optional off-the-shoulder style lends itself to a necklace-free, earring-only look. These exceptionally long black tassel and bead statement earrings add just the right amount of movement to ensure attention remains on the face and isn’t completely diverted to the tulle-fest below.

Look 2: Comfort and Simplicity, with No Ironing Required!

As a person who’s constantly on the move and often packing and unpacking suitcases, I’ve learned to get savvy with my party outfits in particular. If I can find a dress that instantly feels fun and fabulous, doesn’t crease when screwed up in a suitcase and is lightweight to boot, I know I’ve hit the holy grail of going out-out looks! Furthermore, if that same dress can be styled completely differently for daywear, then it’s an utter no-brainer - I have to have it!

And so it is with this dress. Not only will it work cinched at the waist with sky-high heels, but it will also serve me for those occasions when I want to dress up but I know I need to be comfortable - like Fashion Week, where getting in your 10k steps a day is easily achieved before noon; nights out in Central London (or any other major city) when taking the tube and negotiating tricky pavements are required (think Lisbon’s tiled boulevards); or going to a gig, where you know you’ll be dancing the night away and heels just will not cut it (anymore)!

By investing in some pretty, comfortable flats (like my studded, Lanvin ballet flats) you know you have a go-to pair of shoes in which you’ll feel fab and still be able to handle anything the city throws at you. I’ve pulled the neckline up onto my shoulders here, to demonstrate that this dress can also work for daytime - yes it can! A simple black ribbon choker and leather, Dior bow bracelet add those focal points of black that help break up this vanilla ice-cream dream dress.

Just add shades and a handbag and set off to explore a city in fantasy AND comfort.

So all that remains is to ask: which is your favourite look? Do you have rules when shopping for holidays or going out dresses? Do please share your thoughts and tips below!

Thanks for reading!

Nx