As summer dawns, we’re noticing a curious effect take hold. The second the sun emerges, and the Aperols start flowing, it would seem that even those who typically swear by an all-black wardrobe feel compelled to breezy floral dresses – and that wearing anything else would feel borderline offensive to your new sun-soaked summer persona. You know the mood: small plates and calamari at a cliffside taverna, woven bags, pictures of suspiciously picturesque cobbled streets… the list goes on.
@oliviadeano
But where does one find the perfect floral frock for the season, you ask? Rather than endlessly scroll, take a leaf out of Olivia Dean’s holiday wardrobe and opt for romantic tea dresses and floral slips. Sharing a series of Sicilian holiday snaps, the singer wore Réalisation Par’s semi-sheer, ethereal Meg style, making a convincing case for the cult Australian label’s number as the affordable dress brand of the summer. Eagle-eyed Réalisation Par devotees will also spot Olivia wearing the brand’s spaghetti-strapped Skye style, capturing the post-pool Pinot Grigio mood perfectly.
Dean’s savvy style choices are an assured testament to the beauty of one-and-done dressing, which takes on even greater value at the height of summer; both weather and suitcase-friendly, a romantic (and affordable) throw-on-and-go style does a lot of heavy lifting when you’ve got more important things to worry about, like topping up that tan or sparking up a summer romance at the trattoria.
Another key criterion for your must-have summer dress: adaptability. A wardrobe full of Princess Margaret-in-Mustique prints is all very well and looks great beachside, but perhaps aren’t quite as fitting at a friend’s barbecue in Zone 4. The appeal of the floral tea dress lies in its versatility, important for summer days when “popping home to change” or lugging around a tote bag full of outfit options is a real vibe-killer. Plus, should wedding season interrupt your Eat Pray Love fantasy, Réalisation Par’s tea dresses work just as well in a chilly church or rain-soaked marquee as they do on a Sicilian balcony. Effortless summer flair, come rain or shine.
