The word ‘flattering’ when applied to a garment means different things to different people. For some, it might be the illusion of a smaller waist or hips. For others, it could be a more bootylicious derriere. Suffice to say, that one woman’s flattering dress is not another’s. Unless you happen to be talking about Jasper Conran’s Blythe dress, which appears to suit every woman who tries it on.
We have established this via the ultra scientific method of having left a couple of samples draped over the back of a chair in the office. When passing colleagues showed an interest, we’d encourage them to put one on, and thus far, it’s proved a more effective crowd-pleaser than a Richard Curtis film marathon on Christmas Day.
So what’s the big deal? It has a fit-and-flare shape with a high, cinched waist, which creates an hourglass silhouette and the illusion of longer legs. The shirt neckline is roomy enough to accommodate a large bust and a glimpse of decolletage is always sexy (“Undo a couple more buttons for an evening look,” Conran suggests).
It has long sleeves for those who prefer not to show their arms, and large pockets. The cotton-blend material has a nice weight and structure to it that’s forgiving on the body and the full skirt is satisfyingly swishy, something only achieved when the designer hasn’t economised on fabric.
It’s versatile enough to wear all year round (with sandals in summer, and with boots or loafers in winter), and the hem can be easily shortened or lengthened. I styled mine here with a thin roll-neck top, for an extra layer of warmth, but a blazer on top would work just as well.
What really makes the difference, though, is invisible to the naked eye. Many fashion brands will make a sample garment in a size 8 or 10, and just increase those proportions for larger sizes. Conran makes a sample for each dress size and tweaks it accordingly – a more expensive and labour-intensive process. So a size 14 iteration of the Blythe dress is not just a larger version of a size 8 pattern, it’s cut with a real size 14 body in mind. “I put the fit under [the microscope] before I do anything else,” Conran says. “I find it interesting and satisfying to look at the problem and to find the solution.”]
