Dress for the weather you want.
Throwing on a floaty floral frock offers the seemingly miraculous ability to transport us from the drizzly London streets to the sun-soaked Aegean coast, while laidback linen trousers and punchy crochet halterneck tops will have the same transportive properties. But no material conjures up summer nostalgia quite like broderie anglaise.
Broderie anglaise, which translates directly to ‘English embroidery,’ is the epitome of sartorial romance. Dainty petal-shaped eyelets tend to sprawl across ethereal white garments to be worn solely in warm weather, creating an ephemeral effect as you walk.
Unlike sexier mesh or silk, broderie anglaise offers an angelic aesthetic that suits both beach and countryside wear. The material adheres to folkloric cottagecore attire, yet wouldn’t look out of place in the Mamma Mia costume department or on a rural Montana ranch - preferably paired with cowboy boots and denim shorts.
The versatility of broderie anglaise is why the textile has never fallen out of favour. It can be simultaneously hyper-commercial and counter-cultural. The Princess of Wales, Pippa Middleton and Queen Letizia of Spain introduced broderie anglaise into the royal sphere, tapping into its girlish reputation and positioning the material as conservative yet chic.
On the other hand, broderie anglaise is also sported by those with a flair for fairytale fashionability such as Phoebe Tonkin, Taylor Swift, Lady Amelia Windsor and Iris Law. All of whom have dabbled in whimsical broderie anglaise for a variety of occasions.
Celebrity attention has bestowed flirtatious, fanciful undertones upon broderie anglaise, which has been bolstered by the penchant for visible underwear gripping social media at present. The reality is that the lace-like appeal of broderie anglaise reveals just enough, but never too much.
When you consider the texture's origins, this makes total sense. Broderie anglaise was developed in the 19th century for the production of women’s undergarments. The fabric bounced back in the 1950s, spurred on by Bridget Bardot’s broderie anglaise wedding dress during her 1959 nuptials and supermodel Twiggy’s incorporation of broderie anglaise into her 1960s clothing line.
From Wimbledon to the West Coast, broderie anglaise is making a splash. Discover the best broderie anglaise dresses to shop this season and infuse your wardrobe with sensuality and sensibility.
Shop now
Posse Maisie Broderie Anglaise Cotton Maxi Dress
Fashion that flits. Posse’s elegant maxi dress sits between sweet and summery with its broderie anglaise finish, feminine scalloped trims and high-rise waistband. Add some sandals and a wicker bag for a dose of Grecian glamour.
Buy now £265.00, Matches
DÔEN + NET SUSTAIN Anneau Broderie Anglaise Dress
A radiant clear canvas of a frock, DÔEN's Anneau dress is carefully made from organic cotton-poplin featuring refined broderie anglaise detailing to flirt with the eye. An elegant scooped necklace allows for ample accessorising, while a relaxed fit across the shoulders flashes the collar bones.
Buy now £134.00, Net-A-Porter
LoveShackFancy Thressey Ruffled Broderie Anglaise Mini Dress
Amp up the girlish charm by wearing a LoveShackFancy piece. Perfect for summer frolicking, the romantic mini dress comes complete with pixie-esque ruffles, short puff sleeves and vintage-inspired floral panelling.
Buy now £149.00, The Outnet
Batsheva Katja Tie-Front Ruffled Broderie Anglaise Midi Dress
A touch of ghostly mystique shrouds this Batsheva number in elegance. The ruffled midi dress calls for midsummer picnics and weekend getaways, especially when paired with ruby red ballet pumps and a sprinkling of gold jewellery.
Buy now £171.00, Net-A-Porter
Ganni Shirred Broderie Anglaise Cotton Midi Dress
Slip into Ganni’s voluminous broderie anglaise midi dress when an airy look is required. A sculpting ruched bodice is complemented by dramatic puff sleeves and neatly buttoned cuffs to add intrigue to this ethereal frock.
Buy now £163.00, The Outnet
Mango Openwork Detail Shirt Dress
Spotted among the crowd at London Fashion Week, Mango’s Openwork Detail Shirt Dress is affordable and elegant in equal measure. Styled with a bandana and gold Missoma jewels and you have yourself a honied look to last the years.
Buy now £29.99, Mango
Erdem Hvar Broderie Anglaise Floral Print Linen Dress
Erdem is a brand esteemed for its floral displays and countryside chic sensibilities. Tap into retro cottagecore with the Hvar dress, featuring ditsy print blossoms in an earthy colour palette, confined within the vintage silhouette of a modest Seventies-style mini dress. Plus sizes available.
Buy now £225.00, The Outnet
Hush Neesha Broderie Midi Dress
Stay cool with Hush’s broderie midi dress designed for easy-breezy wear. A longline silhouette is suspended from chic spaghetti straps, reaching the calf area and culminating in delicate floral embroidery.
Buy now £50.00, Hush
LoveShackFancy Deeba Tasseled Broderie Anglaise Dress
Traditionalists will opt for white, but maximalists will appreciate LoveShackFancy’s penchant for pink. The Deeba Dress is party-girl perfection. Blooming rose buds sprawl across the number, which further showcases a flippy ruffled skirt, half-length sleeves and tie-knot detailing.
Buy now £116.00, The Outnet
Zimmerman Matchmaker Broderie Anglaise Cotton Midi Dress
Did we mention broderie anglaise is ideal for summer weddings? Brides take note, as Zimmerman is serving you a luxury wedding look on a silver platter. Steal the show at the rehearsal dinner or afterparty in the brand’s Matchmaker Midi Dress. The name of the romantic garment says it all.
Buy now £950.00, Net-A-Porter
Simone Rocha Broderie Anglaise Cotton Mini Dress
London is dominated by innovative designers who champion ethereal fashion. Alongside Susan Fang and Yuhan Wang, Simone Rocha is one of them. Intricate materials from tulle to lace and broderie anglaise are regularly occurring motifs in the designer’s collections, with this mini dress being a prime example of Rocha’s dream-like craftsmanship.
Buy now £895.00, Net-A-Porter
