Vanessa Floral Prints Cinched Waist Midi Dress (Pink)

The eyelet fabric is sheer — what does that mean in practice?

The outer dress is sheer on its own, which is why it comes with a separate inner dress. Wear them together and your body is covered through the bodice and down to just above the knee. Below that the outer layer is single-layered, so in strong backlight you'll see the outline of your legs through the skirt — that's how an eyelet dress is meant to look, but it's worth knowing before you stand in front of a window.

So it's two pieces?

Yes. A sheer eyelet outer dress and a separate inner dress, both included. The inner one is a plain recycled polyester slip dress that does the covering; the outer is the cotton eyelet one with the collar, buttons and print. You can wear the inner dress on its own underneath other things too.

Can I breastfeed in it?

Yes, with a caveat. The front buttons on the outer dress are functional, so that layer opens easily — but the inner dress underneath doesn't open, so you'll be working around it. It's manageable, not effortless.

Which size do I take?

Go by your waist. The waist is the cinched, shaped part and it doesn't stretch (28"–34" across the sizes), while the bust is cut much roomier. If your bust and waist point to different sizes, follow the waist. Between sizes, size up.

How long is it?

46–48" (118–121cm) from the top of the shoulder to the hem. Our model is 158cm and wears the S — on her it falls to the lower calf, just above the ankle. The inner dress is much shorter, ending above the knee.

Are the pockets real?

Yes — two side pockets in the outer dress, set into the seams so they don't interrupt the line of the skirt.

What do I wear it with?

It's a whole outfit already. Nude or cream heels for a wedding lunch or a celebration; flat sandals and a straw bag for daytime. If the room is cold, a plain cardigan in cream rather than a print.

How do I keep it looking new?

Wash the two layers together, cool and gentle, inside a laundry bag so the eyelet openwork doesn't snag on anything. Button the outer dress up first. Hang both to dry out of direct sunlight, and press on low heat — go around the eyelet detail rather than over it.

Not sure which size? Start here.

Size by your waist — it is the cinched part and has no stretch, while the bust is cut roomy. Between sizes, size up.