The sleeves flare out to the elbow and stop. Cut as wide open bells with no cuff and no gather, they hang away from the arm entirely, which means the dress has volume at exactly the point where most dresses have none.
A wide obi-style belt at the waist is what balances it. Set flat and deep rather than narrow, it takes the fullness gathered from the bodice above and the wrapped skirt below and holds both in one horizontal band. The skirt crosses over itself and falls in soft folds to mid-calf, and the neckline is left as a plain high round.
It is a dress built almost entirely from three shapes, and it does not need a fourth.
Details You'll Love
- Open bell cape sleeves - flare to the elbow with no cuff or gather.
- Wide obi belt - set deep and flat to hold the volume above and below.
- Gathered bodice - fullness drawn into the top edge of the belt.
- Wrapped draped skirt - crosses over itself and falls in soft folds to mid-calf.
- Plain high neckline - left completely undecorated against the sleeves.
