Basic Style, Behind Brass

Behind the Seams: The Band Dress

In “Behind the Seams” we dive deep into how and why a new piece was made. Everything we design has a purpose in your closet. And we want you to better understand why we choose to create our new items. We sat down with Jay Adams, Co-Founder and Head of Design, to talk all the deets on The Band Dress in Marine Blue. 

What was the original purpose for designing The Band Dress? Why did you choose marine as the color to bring it back in? 

The Band Dress was part of our Spring/Summer Kickstarter campaign in 2015. When we originally designed this piece, we were trying to create a dress that was a more relaxed version of a fit and flare style. This dress was intended to be a great go-to dress for work, but also easy to dress up for a wedding or cocktail party. When we originally launched this dress, it was made in Storm Blue, a gray-blue color with a warmer undertone. Women loved this dress and asked for it in black. And of course, we obliged! As much as we love easy neutrals (black, navy, gray), we love the challenge of introducing a color that can be versatile. That’s why we’ll be bringing The Band Dress back in Marine, a gorgeous blue-green color that looks beautiful on many skin tones. It’s such a great color for the summer, but can also be easily paired with a black, white, or tan blazer for a more polished, professional look.

Can you walk me through the creative process for this dress? 

When we think about adding new pieces, we think about the silhouettes we currently offer and what silhouettes we are missing. This is exactly what we did with The Band Dress. Our other spring/summer styles were boxier and we wanted to make sure we had a dress that provided a little more shape but was still relaxed for warmer weather. We also wanted this to be a dress you’d reach for if it’s a hot day in the office but could do double duty on the weekend for a wedding. We’ve even had women use this dress for their bridesmaids!

What materials were used to create the dress?

We know that our customers love not having to go the dry-cleaner and want fabrics that are easy to care for. We avoid using silk because it is hard to care for and therefore, you don’t reach for it that often. We like to use high-quality, silk look-a-likes that you can wash at home (cold and gentle), then just shake it out, throw it on a hanger and air dry. If the dress has a few wrinkles in it, you can toss it in the dryer on low. 

What is the product fit like? 

Our warmer weather styles tend to have a looser fit which provides more comfort for when the temperature heats up. But we also know that not every woman wants to wear an A-line or tunic silhouette. The Band Dress has this beautiful blousy top and a slightly fitted skirt that is perfectly cinched at the waist. If you’re a woman that likes a dress that gives you a little more shape, but don’t love the frilly shape of a fit and flare dress, The Band Dress is a great option. It really works well on many different shapes which is why it is one of our bestselling pieces.

What would you pair this dress with for each season? What makes it an elevated basic? 

For the spring/summer season, this dress is such a great piece on its own. We like to pair it with a jean jacket, a slide, and a tote for a casual weekend look. It’s also a great piece, Monday
through Friday
. Wear it with a blazer, or a cropped sweater, and tights in cooler months. And if you have an event, the neckline is great with either a statement necklace or a pendant, a bold heel, and your hair thrown up in a bun. This dress is a sophisticated and feminine wardrobe workhorse.

The Band Dress will be available for purchase on Tuesday, May 30th.