6 designers on what makes a great dress

 It is perhaps a universal musing that most women have asked themselves at one point or another: What makes a really great dress?

Is it dependent on the colour or the fit? Is it all about the length and the fabrication? Is there some kind of secret formula that takes a dress from average to irresistible?

This is a question I’ve been asking myself a lot lately (particularly with London Fashion Week imminent) though rather than attempt to answer it alone, I thought it might be best to seek out the opinions of a few experts. Calling upon designers from Rixo, Kitri, Ghost, & Other Stories, Topshop and New Look, I posed the age-old question and surprisingly, their answers were fairly unanimous.

From contemporary brands to high-street labels, each designer agreed, a really great dress is one that makes you feel confident and comfortable. Of course, cut and construction are excessively important, as are flattering colours and quality fabrications, however, as Henrietta Rix so eloquently put it, ultimately a dress you “genuinely love and feel your very best in is worth the investment, as it will be something you always reach for.” Now that's a concept we can agree with.

Interestingly enough, it seems many women feel most comfortable and confident in midi-length dresses, as several of the brands below noted that midis are their most popular styles. Keep scrolling for six designers on what makes a really great dress.

Rixo

According to Henrietta Rix & Orlagh McCloskey, the co-founders of Rixo, a really great dress is one you will wear for years to come.

Orlagh explained, "The most important thing to look for in a dress that will stand the test of time in terms of design and composition – something that can become future vintage. Timeless print or colour, a versatile shape that you can wear any time of the day or occasion and high-quality natural fabrics that will last as you re-wear."

Henrietta adds, "A really great dress makes you have an emotional reaction." She continues, "our most popular dresses are without a doubt our versatile midi styles, like our Chelsea or Zadie shapes, that fit easily into our customers' lifestyles and can take them from a day at the office to an evening event."

& Other Stories

High-street retailer & Other Stories also advocates for buying dresses that make you feel your best. "Go for a cut that you really like and that makes you feel both comfortable and confident," the brand told Who What Wear. "Our favourite dresses are the ones you have fun in. This spring, we're going for those that are very romantic—either in colour, print or silhouette—or styles that give a little nod to the '80s."

Kitri

Haeni Kim of Kitri certainly knows what goes into making a really great dress. In fact, most members of the team here at Who What Wear own at least one of Kim's designs. "Ultimately, when looking for a really great dress, pick a style that makes you feel good!" Kim explained. "Something that you look forward to wearing, a print that makes you smile, a shape that you feel confident in. Dress for your shape and stay true to your personal style, rather than following trends."

The designer also noted that when looking for a new dress, it's important to consider the details. "Quality finishing is a key consideration when looking for a dress that will stand the test of time," Kim said. "A beautiful lining, a well-designed cuff, attention to detail on buttons and fastenings. For spring, we have put a lot of consideration into these details."

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