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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Jess Cartner-Morley

UNCOVERED: Why is everyone dressing like a whimsical prairie milkmaid | History Defined

Amelie Stanescu
Street Style - Berlin - June, 2021
BERLIN, GERMANY - JUNE 29: Amelie Stanescu is seen wearing beige Ganni dress, floppy hat COS, Maison Margiela tabi shoes, Mango basket bag on June 29, 2021 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Christian Vierig/Getty Images)
Photograph: Christian Vierig/Getty Images

Listen, can we have a quick chat? Nothing to worry about. But we need to talk about your summer dress. You know the one. The long, loose one perhaps with smocking or shirring on the bodice. Oh, and the puffy sleeves – it’s definitely got puffy sleeves. Your upper arms and thighs are covered – that was partly why you bought it – but there might be a bare shoulder or a milkmaid-ish square neckline that shows a bit of décolletage. Was there a cut-out bit at the back? A bit of bare skin, but classy, you know. I think it’s gingham. But it could be floral or bright pink, or white linen.

You know the dress I mean, because even in the unlikely event it’s not in your wardrobe – yet – it is everywhere this summer. It is the dress your best friend is wearing in her holiday photos on Instagram and the dress your kid’s teacher wore for the summer fair. It is what to wear to your birthday lunch, whether you are turning 21 or 50.

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