Novella Pink Lace Sweetheart Midi Dress

Pink lace, a sweetheart neckline and a scalloped hem: the Novella Midi Dress is a mid-length dress whose details are all soft, which is exactly why it works.

The lace sits as an overlay across the whole dress, so the pattern is on top of the colour rather than dyed into it. The neckline dips into a sweetheart curve, and the straps are finished with small frills and can be adjusted for length. At the back an invisible zip closes the dress, secured at the top by a hook and eye clasp so the line stays clean. The hem is scalloped, following the edge of the lace rather than being cut straight through it, and the dress is lined underneath so the lace stays decorative rather than sheer.

A pink lace midi dress of this kind is made for daylight occasions with a dress code: a wedding guest in spring, a baby shower, an engagement lunch, a garden party. Nude heels keep the legs long below the midi hem; a metallic sandal does the same with a little more shine. Keep the jewellery small, since the frills on the straps are already doing the decorating near the face.