Summer Dresses

What fabric types are available for women's dresses?

At Nomad the Label, we offer a variety of natural and sustainable fabrics for women's dresses. These fabrics are excellent for various dress styles, from flowing maxis to fitted midis, helping you feel stylish and comfortable throughout the day.

Our dress fabrics include:

• Linen: Lightweight, breathable, and perfect for hot weather, linen is ideal for relaxed, casual summer dresses like maxis or midis.
• Cotton and organic cotton: Known for its softness and breathability, cotton is a versatile choice for any season. Organic cotton adds eco-friendly benefits, making it perfect for day-to-day wear.
• LENZING™ ECOVERO™: LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibres are light and breathable, making fabrics super soft. Plus, they feel amazing on your skin and keep you comfortable all day.

How do different fabrics affect the style and comfort of a dress?

Fabrics influence how a dress feels and moves. For example:

• Cotton: Lightweight and breathable, cotton fabrics are perfect for casual styles like sundresses or shirt dresses.
• Linen: Known for its cooling properties, linen is the go-to for casual outfits that offer both style and breathability.
• Rayon, Viscose, Tencel™: These flowy fabrics make dresses that offer a silky touch and an elegant drape. You can wear these garments for both casual and formal wear.
• Polyester: While versatile, polyester is best avoided for the warm weather due to its lack of breathability. However, it's great for structured styles in cooler seasons.
• Satin: Smooth and luxurious, satin is perfect to create a sleek, flowing elegance for formal occasions.
• Cotton knits: These fabrics work well for body-hugging styles or casual dresses.
• Wool, merino, cashmere: Best for winter dresses, these fabrics offer warmth while still maintaining a chic look.

How do I find the right size for my body type?

The key to finding the right size and style for your body type lies in accentuating your best features:

• Hourglass: A fitted dress that cinches at the waist, like a wrap dress, enhances natural curves while maintaining balance between the bust and hips.
• Pear shape: Dresses with broad shoulders or volume at the top, such as A-line or off-the-shoulder styles, balance wider hips and create an hourglass effect.
• Apple shape: Look for dresses that draw attention to the neckline, such as V-necks, while flaring out at the bottom to create balance and elongate the torso.
• Rectangle: Add curves with dresses that give fullness to both the top and bottom, such as fit-and-flare styles or dresses with ruffles.
• Inverted triangle: Choose dresses with soft, flowing fabrics and details like bell sleeves to balance broader shoulders and create a feminine silhouette.

Which dresses are suitable for different occasions, such as cocktail parties or casual outings?

For cocktail parties, choose well-fitted styles like A-line, sheath, or wrap dresses that offer a mix of elegance and comfort. Midi and maxi dresses with interesting details or fabrics such as satin, lace, or crepe can enhance your look for formal gatherings.

For casual outings, flowy sundresses, shirt dresses, or simple cotton maxis paired with minimal accessories provide a relaxed and stylish appearance.

What are the benefits of each fabric type?

• Linen dresses: Breathable and cooling, linen is perfect for hot days and gives a relaxed, effortless look. Our customers are loving Valentina Linen Blend Shirt Dresses, Elyse French Linen Midi Dress, and Paloma Linen Shirt Dress. Different colours are available.
• Cotton dresses: Soft, versatile, and easy to care for, cotton is ideal for everyday wear, keeping you comfortable and chic. Check out our signature Catalina Cotton Dresses to feel the difference. 
• LENZING™ ECOVERO™ dresses: Cut from lustrous, ultra-soft LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fabric that boasts a beautiful, lightweight feel. Our LENZING™ ECOVERO™ dresses are an effortless accent piece for both day and evening wear.
• Silk dresses: Luxurious and lightweight, silk is perfect for formal occasions and can regulate body temperature, making it a year-round option.

What are the differences between each fabric type?

Different fabrics offer varying levels of breathability, sustainability, and comfort:

• Linen: Extremely breathable, making it ideal for the warmer seasons. It's also sustainable, as it requires minimal water to grow.
• Organic cotton: Breathable and eco-friendly, organic cotton is softer and produced without harmful chemicals.
• Bamboo: Known for its moisture-wicking properties and softness, bamboo is a great choice for hot weather.
• Tencel™: Made from sustainable wood pulp, Tencel™ is breathable, biodegradable, and gentle on the skin.

To learn more, check out our Fabric Guide for a detailed comparison of different natural fabric types.

Which fabrics are best suited for summer dresses?

For summer, breathable and lightweight fabrics such as linen, organic cotton, and Tencel™ are ideal. Linen is highly breathable and allows air to circulate, keeping you cool. Tencel™ and organic cotton are soft, moisture-wicking, and perfect for the warm weather. At Nomad the Label, we offer a variety of summer dresses in these fabrics. Shop our Summer Dresses collection to find your perfect style.

How can I discover the latest arrivals?

You can explore our Womens Dress collection to find the latest women’s dresses, or visit New Arrivals to browse fresh arrivals. You can also sign up for our mailing list and get updates on the newest styles delivered straight to your inbox.

What accessories pair well with different dress styles?

Accessories can completely transform a dress. Let us give you some examples:

For a light pink dress, rose-coloured accessories add a feminine touch, while darker shades of pink can bring a playful edge. 

Neutral accessories pair well with bright dresses, adding balance without overpowering the outfit. 

For a green dress, gold jewellery creates a striking contrast, while silver offers a cooler, modern touch. 

With black or white dresses, both gold and silver work equally well, while browns and tans can be matched to warm or cool undertones for a cohesive look.

Why choose sustainable fabrics like organic cotton or EcoVero?

Choosing sustainable fabrics like organic cotton or LENZING™ ECOVERO™ helps reduce environmental impact. Organic cotton is grown without harmful pesticides, making it a healthier option for the planet and your skin. LENZING™ ECOVERO™ is derived from sustainable wood sources and uses significantly less water and energy in its production. These fabrics are durable, breathable, and versatile. They align with your eco-friendly lifestyle while making you look good and feel good.

Care instructions for Linen, Cotton, and EcoVero Dresses

• Linen: Linen is a durable fabric but requires some gentle care. Often, simply hanging your linen dress outside to air can freshen it up without needing a wash. When washing, you can use a machine cycle up to 60 degrees, but avoid overloading the machine, as linen absorbs water quickly. Skip the tumble dryer – instead, hang your linen dress to dry. If you prefer a wrinkle-free look, iron your linen dress with high heat while it’s still slightly damp for the best results.
• Cotton: Cotton is best washed on a gentle cycle at no more than 30 degrees to avoid shrinkage. Always air dry to preserve the fabric's integrity and avoid shrinkage, as tumble drying can damage the fibres. Stains can be treated with natural stain removers, and cotton pieces can be ironed easily – but never iron velvet cotton. For velvet, turn the garment inside out before ironing.
• LENZING™ ECOVERO™: As a delicate fabric, LENZING™ ECOVERO™ is prone to abrasion, so wash it carefully. Use a moderate load in the washing machine to avoid too much movement and friction in the drum. Placing your dress in a laundry bag and rolling it up securely can help reduce wear. Opt for a non-bio detergent and avoid fabric softeners. Always air dry your garments out of direct sunlight, and skip the tumble dryer to maintain their quality.

Are there specific washing tips to maintain the quality of these dresses?

Using a gentle cycle is key for maintaining the quality of delicate fabrics like linen and LENZING™ ECOVERO™. Avoid overloading the washing machine, as this reduces friction and wear. When drying, air drying out of direct sunlight will preserve the fabric’s natural texture and colour. For linen and cotton, ironing while slightly damp can help smooth wrinkles and keep the fabric looking fresh.

Can dresses be paired with other clothing items like tops or jackets?

Absolutely! Dresses can be layered in creative ways for added style and comfort. You can wear a turtleneck or a fitted long-sleeved top underneath a sleeveless dress for cooler weather, or throw on a light jacket or cardigan for extra warmth. Denim or leather jackets can instantly give a casual edge to a dress, while a tailored blazer can make it a better fit for a more formal setting.

How to layer dresses for different seasons?

Layering dresses lets you transition them through different seasons. For spring or autumn, pair your dress with a light jacket, cardigan, or a stylish denim jacket. During winter, choose chunkier layers like teddy coats, wool coats, or longline coats for warmth. You can also layer a blouse or a turtleneck under a sleeveless dress to create a cosy yet chic look. Adding tights, boots, and scarves also transforms your dress into a cold-weather staple.

How to style a dress to transition from day to night?

Transitioning a dress from day to night is all about switching up your accessories. For a workday, pair your dress with a structured bag and flats or low heels. To upgrade it for an evening out, swap your work bag for a clutch, and add statement jewellery or a bold lip colour. Neutral dresses, such as those in black, camel, or flax, are ideal for this versatility, easily adapting to various looks with different shoes, bags, and jewellery. Neutrals also tend to be timeless and sophisticated, so they’re perfect for any occasion.