Lace is usually reserved for occasions — which means a beautiful thing spends most of the year in the dark!

Just imagine a dress with a fine ivory lace bodice and sleeves, set above a soft pink skirt printed with small flowers, gathered at the waist and finished with pockets. Now stop imagining. It is dressy at the top and entirely wearable below, so it belongs at a wedding and at a Sunday lunch equally.

• Lace Where It Counts
  The lace sits across the bodice and down the sleeves, closest to the face. That is where a delicate fabric does the most work, and why the whole dress reads as dressed-up.
• Sleeves You Can Wear
  Three-quarter lace sleeves cover the upper arm while staying light and open. Covered and cool at the same time is the reason you will put this on in warm weather.
• The Skirt Is Practical
  Soft printed cloth, gathered at the waist, falling to mid-calf — and pockets in the side seams. It is the half of the dress that makes the lace half possible to wear on an ordinary day.
• Two Tones, One Dress
  Ivory above and pink below creates a natural break at the waist that lengthens the skirt. It also means the dress works with both ivory and pink accessories.
• S To 5XL, Relaxed
  Relaxed through the body with a gathered waist. Take your usual size; if the bust is where you usually need room, the next size up is the safer choice.

Lace should not only come out twice a year. Built onto a skirt this easy, it finally does not have to — and that is a dress you will actually wear.