Since very patterned fabric and trim was divisive last week, this week I’ve gone for a very plain fabric, with no trim whatsoevery. But it’s definitely not boring a boring dress: whatever else it might be, all in one colour and trimless as it is, it’s distinctive. Last Week: an 1850s chine a la branche day dress There was a decided fork in the ratings branch(e) when it came to judging last week’s chine crinoline. Either you liked the fabric, or you didn’t. And either you were sure the trim must have been symmetrical, or couldn’t forgive that it wasn’t. The Total: 7.1 out of 10 Well, it’s an improvement on the week before – more jam with pips than vegemite in the universally appealing scale! This week:  a 1920s day dress with ‘scale’ scallops Since last week’s fabric was so divisive, and trim was so divisive, this week I present a dress that’s completely devoid of trim, and in a very simple, restful eu de nil silk chiffon. The dresses main design feature is …

This week in Rate the Dress we’re going from 18th century silk hoodies to 1820s harlequin patterned cotton – with really, really, really big sleeves. Last week:  A lavender pink mid-18th century Brunswick Last week’s Brunswick (or, as Anna pointed out, possible a Jesuit) was the most popular Rate the Dress in a while.  Some of you felt that she did look a bit like a little girl dressed up in her older sister’s outfit, or just found the proportions of the bodice to be a bit odd, but those were the only real criticisms. The Total: 8.3 out of 10 Better than we’ve had in a while, but not spectacular. This week: A harlequin print 1820s dress It’s cold, and rainy, and windy, and horrible in Wellington today.  Luckily I’ve had the perfect sunny, cheerful, über-happy Rate the Dress option squirrelled away for just such an occasion: 1820s fashion is always a bit silly and over the top, but this dress takes it to another level with a harlequin patterned cotton print in yellow …