Brocade Ruffled Long Sleeve Mini Dress

Ruffles, smocking and ruching on one dress could easily be too much, but Brocade keeps them in balance by putting them on a short and simple silhouette. The smocking pulls the bodice close, the ruching shapes the body, and the ruffles supply the movement. Long sleeves keep it wearable well past summer, which is more than most mini dresses can claim.

The fabric is 95% cotton and 5% spandex, and the supplier lists it as having no stretch. The body is not lined. A zipper handles the closure, so the dress goes on cleanly without fighting the smocked panels. Sizes run from medium through 2XL, and the length sits between roughly 31 and 33 inches across that range. The full length, waist and bust numbers for each size are in the table below, and they are worth a look before you choose, since a short dress leaves less room for guessing.

It comes in apricot, black, gold, pink and white, and those five read very differently. The gold and apricot lean toward an occasion, while black and white keep it grounded enough for an ordinary evening. Ankle boots and bare legs make it autumnal, and strappy sandals push it back toward summer. Tights and a long coat carry it into colder months. Keep accessories minimal, because a dress with this much surface detail does not need help.

Why you will love it

• Ruffled detail for movement
• Smocked and ruched through the body
• Long sleeves
• Zipper closure
• Not lined
• Material composition: 95% cotton, 5% spandex
• Five colors: apricot, black, gold, pink and white
• Available in sizes M, L, XL and 2XL

Care

• Machine wash cold
• Tumble dry low