The original Nap Dress®-esque smocking is taken up a notch with puff sleeves.
the j.crew puff sleeve smocked mini dress
As a youth, my mom never dressed my sister, nor I in the requisite southern smocked staples. As an adult, I have avoided the Original Nap Dress® for two reasons. One, because I have been going without naps – and sleep in general – while trying to get my oldest to take his nap since the dresses entered ubiquity. And two is the aforementioned ubiquity. I think it is safe to say that I was a lifelong smocking avoider.
I understand that the stretch smocking makes the dress comfortable and comfort is king queen when it comes to most people’s sartorial preferences, but I just do not want to dress like every other gal. Such is the reason I dress like a technicolor acid bright fever dream in Philadelphia where the betches here are constantly clad in basic black and other tasteful neutral hues.
Nevertheless, props to Nell Diamond because she was obviously onto something proven by the way that nearly every major retailer has produced a product with smocking. I am not saying she was the first, but she was the first to bring it mainstream to the grown-up table. Anyone who says that smocking does not have a chokehold on the ladies, is in denial.
J.Crew released a version of the smocked dress with the most delightful pink dandelion print and puffy statement sleeves, the latter of which make the dress. I initially missed buying it upon release; however after a bit of light stalking, my size became available. Consequently, the dress made its way to Astana and it due to it being comfortable and its ease of care, it gained weekly summer rotation status.
I am wearing this dress in a size medium tall. After the photos and outfit credits, more smocked dresses to wear during a summertime snooze.
dress: J.Crew • mules: Tory Burch • sunglasses: Lapima (also here) • initial necklace: Maya Brenner via Baublebar • earrings: J.Crew • pink stone necklace: David Yurman • pink stone ring: David Yurman • watch: Cartier (also here) • nail color: Essie
ten dresses to wear for a summertime snooze
last seen here
