This article was written for Annabel & Grace, which is now part of Rest Less.
I have always been a jeans person. The lazy choice I suppose you might say. And you would be right. But I have had a bit of a revelation. When Annabel and I needed an evening gown recently, just one brand popped into my head. Bombshell. Why? Because designer/founder Katya Wildman’s ethos is to give women the ideal hourglass figure. Something neither Annabel nor I have! I was prepared to be dragged out of my denim comfort zone and make a real effort for this evening event. I wrongly assumed that would mean being uncomfortable and worrying about my posture, bra straps showing, and having to totter about wearing stilettos. We ended up both wearing the gloriously comfortable 10th Anniversary sequinned dress – I can honestly say we have never felt more glam. While visiting Katya, we spotted another of her fabulous designs from her new Autumn/Winter 18 collection – the Pleated Midi Bombshell Dress – and this is the style I’d like to tell you about today.
First off, this pleated midi Bombshell dress is machine washable. You may be surprised that I put this benefit before the actual design, but I’m fed up with ever escalating dry cleaning costs. To have something as flattering and elegant as this dress in my wardrobe and to be able to pop it in my washing machine, is a real bonus as far as I’m concerned. Especially as it is a dress I will be reaching for again and again – to wear both day and night
It’s an on-trend length which looks equally good with boots as it does with shoes. There are no zips or other fastenings and it is stretchy enough to simply pull it on and you’re ready to go. I like that it is made in the UK too.
The velvet body has a flattering scooped neck and three quarter sleeves and the full pleated skirt swirls gently when you move.
I loved both the colours I tried on. The Navy is such a deep rich colour and the Gold Ochre shimmered in the sunlight. There are other colours available.
As you can see from the photographs, I wore a long sleeved polo neck underneath the navy dress and wore it with my navy suede boots for daytime. I felt very comfortable, feminine and smart. A navy blazer, colourful scarf and the same navy suede boots were my choice for the gold ochre.
Annabel and I were going out for drinks that evening, so I added an embroidered velvet evening coat I have had for years and which was begging to be worn with the pleated dress. Annabel wore some blue velvet ankle boots with hers and we were definitely ready to party.
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Photographs in pleated dresses by Annabel Vere Photography
