Nicole | The Hardy Dress

A dress like a painting, and kind to wear.

Meet the Hardy — the floral dress for anyone who'd decided a summer dress couldn't be beautiful and comfortable at once. The waist sits high, just under the bust, and the full skirt falls free from there, so it skims right over the middle instead of clinging to it — fitted where it flatters, and forgiving everywhere you'd rather it were. A soft puff sleeve covers the top of the arm, the part most of us would rather keep to ourselves, while staying short and cool for a warm day. It's pieced together from panels of vintage floral — green, blue and cream, each one different — so it reads like a painting rather than a printed dress, the kind of thing a stranger crosses a room to ask you about. The skirt is cut full and long to a graceful mid-calf, so it moves and sways as you walk, elegant enough for a wedding and easy enough for a summer lunch. And it's one dress that does the whole job — on over your head, and you look entirely put-together, the most you'll do is pick your sandals. It's machine washable, so it goes straight in with the rest of your laundry. Lovingly offered by the Clarke family, a family-run South Carolina boutique since 1986.

Why you'll love the Hardy:

• A high waist that skims the middle — fitted where it flatters, forgiving where it counts.
• A puff sleeve that covers the upper arm — covered where it matters, cool for summer.
• A pieced vintage floral — panels of green, blue and cream, like a painting.
• A full skirt that moves — long to a graceful mid-calf.
• Machine washable — straight in with the laundry, no special care.
• One dress, sizes XS–2XL — a high waist that flatters, and room to move.

Backed by free UPS shipping and a 30-day money-back guarantee — if it isn't right, send it back.