Prairie and Proper

Fashionistas are loving the prim look for summer, says Katie Wright

They say that for every fashion trend that goes mainstream, the opposite look is adopted by tastemakers, and that seems to be true in the case of the prairie dress. high-necked, long sleeved and with a hem that always falls at least below the knee (if not to the ankle), the Victoriana-inspired frock has been gaining popularity with a certain kind of cool-girl, while other parts of the fashion world continue to obsess over clingy, skimpy, neon-hued designs.

On the SS19 catwalks, erdem presented the most breathtaking example of a prairie dress with this magnificent aqua-blue gown, and Alexander Mcqueen showed full-skirted, puff-sleeved dresses too.

Over in American, Batsheva has become the prairie lover’s go-to, with celebrity fans of the premium dress brand including singer Florence Welch and up-and-coming actor Beanie Feldstein.

Now the trend has trickled down to the high street, making it easy to get the look at cheaper price points.

Of course, a dress is the key piece, and if you’re going to do prairie properly it has to be midi or maxi length, in a chintzy print and with long sleeves.

But as we head into summer, you might not want to be so covered up.

The good news is there are lots of very pretty frocks and blouses with bardot necklines and puffy sleeves that are ideal for hot weather and holidays.

Colour wise, keep it soft and subdued with creams, pinks and pale yellow hues, whether it’s floral prints or broderie anglaise fabrics.

Same goes for accessories. A pair of western ankle boots and a saddle bag are the perfect addition to a prairie ensemble, or espadrille sandals for high summer.