Emily Pleated Chiffon Dress with Shoulder Ruffles

A pleated chiffon dress with ruffles on the shoulders

Numoco calls this pleated chiffon dress Emily. It has a V-neck, a ruffle over each shoulder and a skirt of fine pleats in what the maker calls a 7/8 length. On the model that is the lower calf.

The dress closes with a covered zip at the back. It is 119 to 125 cm long, in 95% polyester with 5% spandex, and the supplier states it was made in Poland. You can order it in two shades of lilac and in beige.

At a glance

The piece: what is still available

Emily has been in the Numoco range for a while, and the photo gallery shows it: bottle green, cornflower blue, red, two beiges and two lilacs. Four of those colours are gone at the supplier. Their photos remain, so here is the honest list.

The button violet is model 152837, a very pale lilac that the maker calls heather. The button violet 2 is model 208956, a stronger lilac from a limited edition. The button Taupe is model 197121, a warm beige, and the supplier has it in size S only. Green, blue, red and the button Peach can no longer be delivered.

Who it's for

For you if you are a wedding guest this year and want something soft in colour and long enough to feel formal. The skirt covers the knee by a wide margin and still shows the ankle.

The dress is sleeveless, but the shoulder ruffles cover the top of the arm, which many women like.

Closer look: what the maker says and what the photos show

• Pleated chiffon (maker's data)
• Neckline and ruffles on the shoulders (maker's data)
• Skirt in 7/8 length (maker's data)
• Covered zip at the back (maker's data)
• Crossover V-neck and a gathered waist (photos)
• Ruffles that continue down the back to the waist (photos)
• Skirt slightly sheer near the hem, with a shorter layer underneath (photos)

Fabric and feel: light, pleated chiffon

The composition is 95% polyester and 5% spandex. The maker describes the chiffon as lightweight. The pleats are pressed in from the waist to the hem, and the ruffles are pleated too, so they stand out from the shoulder like small fans.

The supplier does not mention a lining. The photos show a second, shorter layer under the skirt, with the last part of the chiffon letting light through.

Fit and silhouette: marked waist, long pleated skirt

The waist is the fitted point: 68 cm in S, 70 in M, 72 in L, 76 in XL and 80 in XXL. The chest runs from 88 to 102 cm. Below the waist the pleats open, so hips are not a concern.

Length is 119 cm in S, 122 cm in M and L, and 125 cm in XL and XXL. Stock differs per colour today. The pale lilac is there in all five sizes. The stronger lilac has no XL, and the beige is in S only.

Size chart (cm)

Source: the maker's size table, the same for the three colours on sale. The hip number is large because the pleated skirt opens out.

Styling: heels with an open front

In the photos the dress is worn with strappy heels in nude and metallic tones. A sandal suits the hem length, because the ankle is on show.

With lilac we like silver-tone jewellery and a small bag in grey or cream. The beige takes gold tones and tan. For the ceremony, a cropped blazer over the shoulders leaves the ruffles room.

Occasions

The supplier files Emily under formal and cocktail dresses and suggests receptions and special occasions. That means weddings, communions, anniversaries and a summer gala. It is long and soft enough for church and light enough to dance in.

Care: follow the label

The maker's data has no care instructions, so go by the label sewn into the dress. Pleats are set with heat, and too much heat can press them flat again. Read the label before you press the dress, and hang the dress instead of folding it.

The wow detail: the skirt in motion

One photo shows the model holding the skirt out to the side, and the pleats fan open into a half circle. That is what you get on the dance floor. Standing still, the same pleats fall straight and narrow. A pleated skirt is two silhouettes in one.

Fashion that gives back

5% of each sale goes to a cause you choose. The causes are matched to 11 of the 17 SDGs, the global goals set by the United Nations, and you decide where your share goes.

Our promise

Ships from the maker's wholesale partner in Poland, inside the EU, with tracking. The wholesaler lists up to 3 days to prepare an order; within the EU delivery usually takes 2–7 business days after dispatch. Delivery is free within the EU on orders from €69; below that it costs €4.95 in the Netherlands and €6.95 elsewhere in the EU.

You have 14 days after delivery to ask for a return, as long as the dress is unworn and still has its tags. Our promise is plain: if what arrives does not match what this page says, send it back within 14 days and we refund you.

More dresses for weddings and parties are in our evening dresses collection.