Start from the occasion, not the dress
This is the question we hear most in store: I have a wedding in September, what should I get? And that is the right way to frame it.
Three things decide whether a dress suits an occasion: the length, the fabric and how much it covers. Pattern and colour come after.
For a wedding or a reception
This is the most codified occasion, and the one people hesitate over most.
A knee length or longer works in the vast majority of cases. A fabric with some body or sheen signals the occasion without overdoing it.
Two useful habits: avoid white and its very pale variants if it is a wedding, and think about the venue. An outdoor reception at the end of summer does not call for the same dress as an air-conditioned hall in November.
Plan something to cover up with as well. Evenings cool off quickly in Québec, even in August, and a cardigan or a light jacket saves you from spending the night cold.
For work
The reference: a dress that needs no adjusting during the day. If you have to pull it up, hold it or reposition it, it is not the right one for the office.
A knee length or just below, a fabric that does not wrinkle much, and a cut that lets you move. A dress worn with a cardigan or a blazer covers almost every workplace.
For a night out
This is where you have the most latitude. Length and cut become a matter of taste rather than convention.
The only reference that counts: if you will be seated for a long time, check the comfort sitting down before buying. A dress that falls well standing does not always fall well seated.
For everyday
A dress is often the simplest garment to put on. A straight or A-line cut in a soft fabric, worn with a flat shoe, replaces a whole outfit without thinking.
It is also the piece that adapts most easily by season: with tights and boots, a summer dress carries through a good part of the autumn.
Length, plainly
Above the knee. More casual or more dressy depending on the fabric. Check the comfort seated.
At the knee. The most versatile. It suits work as well as a reception.
Mid-calf. Elegant and easy to wear. Watch the shoe, which strongly influences the line.
Long. Reserved for occasions or for casual summer outfits, depending on the fabric.
Three checks before buying
Sit down. This is the check everyone skips and the one that prevents the most unpleasant surprises.
Raise your arms. An armhole that is too tight shows immediately.
Walk. A narrow straight dress can limit your stride more than expected.
Our 23 stores across Québec let you run those three tests in a few minutes, which is hard to settle in front of a screen.
Frequently asked questions
What length for a wedding? Knee length or longer works in most cases.
Can you wear black to a wedding? Yes in most current contexts, especially with colourful accessories.
Which dress for the office? A knee length, in a fabric that wrinkles little, worn with a cardigan or a blazer.
How do you wear a summer dress in autumn? With tights, boots and a cardigan or a jacket.
