Shirt Gowns and Shirt Dresses

Take the larger. This is true of every dress we make and especially a sleeved one, because arm width varies far more between women than waist measurement does. A sleeve that is slightly generous drapes. A sleeve that is slightly tight shows every movement. A hem is easy for a local tailor to shorten. A narrow sleeve is not easy to let out.

Usually only the hem, and only for height. Our dresses are cut to fall at the ankle or the floor on a woman of average height in a heel, so if you are petite or you plan to wear a flat shoe, allow for a hem. Any local tailor can do it in a few days. We would rather tell you now than have you discover it the week of the wedding.

We try to stop that happening before it ships. Before your dress leaves the atelier we write to check the size you have chosen is right, and if you are unsure you can reply with your measurements and we will confirm. If it still is not right, you have 15 days from receiving it to send it back, unworn and unaltered with its tags and packaging. Full price pieces are refunded to your original card. Outlet pieces are returned for store credit, valid for a year.

Length and cloth. The gowns run to the floor or the ankle in fabrics with real body, and are built for weddings, galas and formal evenings. The shirt dresses are midi or knee length in lighter fabrics, for daytime events. The construction is the same in both.

Floor length includes the Farrah Gown, Elham Gown, Zinnia Gown, Dahlia Dress, Mary Dress, Clematis Dress, Zayna Dress, Vida Dress, Allegra Dress and Esme Dress. Midi lengths include the Theresa, Tena, Oprah and Adebola. The Carina and the Love Dress are knee length. Every product page gives the measurement from shoulder to hem.

Yes, and that is the point of the shape. The buttons run down the centre front, so you can fasten to the throat for a high covered neckline or leave two or three open for an open collar. One dress covers several levels of formality and you decide on the day.

Every Baruni piece is lined in a breathable fabric, because a synthetic lining is unwearable across a long evening and particularly in heat. Several, including Cosmos, are lined in rayon. The lining is named on the product page.

The Farrah Gown first. It is buttoned through the front in our own jacquard with a sash at the waist, so it needs no adjusting across a twelve hour day, and it goes on last so it does not disturb hair or makeup. The Elham Gown is the more formal answer for an evening wedding.

The Emersyn Gown has side pockets, and so does Cosmos. Pockets are listed on the product page where a style has them.