Short Floral Viscose Dress with V-Back and Tie Belt

A short floral viscose dress with a V at the back

This floral viscose dress from Tessita is loose on top and nipped at the waist. The top is cut like a kimono, with short sleeves that are part of the body. The skirt flares a little and stops above the knee. At the back, the neckline drops into a deep V.

It is made of 100% viscose and comes in five flower prints and seven sizes, XS to XXXL. The maker's table gives a length of 92 cm in XS and 98 cm in XXXL.

At a glance

The piece: five prints, one cut

Tessita is a label sold through a Polish fashion wholesaler. The maker describes a dress for both dressed-up and everyday looks, with a loose kimono-type top, a slightly flared hem that ends before the knee, floral patterns and a deep V-shaped neckline at the back. A tied belt marks the waist.

All five models carry the same text and the same size table. The maker lists every one of them as multicolour, so we describe the prints from the photos. Two are small scattered flowers on a dark or a light ground: one on black, one on cream. One is small flowers on lavender blue. One has large roses on blue. The last is a loud mix of big pink, blue and yellow blooms.

The description mentions a gold buckle on the belt. In the photos the belt is simply tied, and we could not find the buckle in any of them. Count on a fabric belt.

Who it's for

For you if you want a summer dress you don't have to think about. Pull it on, tie the belt, done. The loose top is forgiving around the bust and upper arms, and the size range runs to XXXL with a chest of 114 cm.

It is short. On the model the hem sits at mid-thigh, so if you are tall or like more leg covered, check the length in the table against a dress you own.

Closer look: what the maker's data and the photos show

• Loose kimono-type top (maker's data)
• Short sleeves cut in one with the top (photos)
• Wide round neckline at the front (photos)
• Deep V-shaped neckline at the back, down to about the waist seam (maker's data and photos)
• Gathered waist with a tie belt (maker's data and photos)
• Slightly flared skirt that ends before the knee (maker's data)
• Length 92 to 98 cm depending on size (size table)

The maker's data does not mention a lining or a zip. With a loose top and a gathered waist the dress probably pulls on over the head, but that is our reading of the photos.

Fabric and feel: 100% viscose

The dress is 100% viscose. Viscose is a fibre made from plant cellulose. It is smooth, it drapes softly and it feels cool on the skin, which is why so many summer dresses are made of it. In the photos the skirt moves easily and the top falls in soft folds.

There are two things to know about viscose. It creases when you sit, so expect some lines across the lap by the end of the day. And it is weaker when wet, so it wants a gentle wash. Check the label for the details.

Fit and silhouette: loose top, marked waist

The top blouses over a gathered waist, and the belt pulls the waist in as far as you like. The maker's table gives size M a length of 94 cm, a chest of 98 cm and a waist of 66 cm. Each size up adds 1 cm in length, 4 cm in the chest and 2 cm at the waist.

The waist numbers look small, but the waist is gathered and gives when you put the dress on. The chest is the measurement to go by. The table does not say whether these are garment or body measurements, so lay a loose dress you own flat, measure the chest, double it and compare.

Size chart (cm)

Source: the maker's size table, the same for all five prints. The waist is given with the gathering relaxed; the table does not say whether these are garment or body measurements, so compare with a dress that fits you.

Styling: sandals in summer, tights in spring

The model wears nude heels with ankle ties, which make the legs look longer under a short skirt. Flat sandals or white sneakers bring the same dress down to a Saturday level.

The black print is the one that carries on into autumn, with black tights, ankle boots and a jeans jacket. The bright mix needs nothing next to it. With the V at the back, a low bra band will show, so pick a bralette you like or a low-back style.

Occasions

The maker suggests it for dressed-up and for everyday outfits. We see it at a garden party, on holiday, at a summer birthday and on a warm day at a relaxed office with a cardigan over the back.

It is short and it has an open back, so for a church wedding we would pick something longer.

Care: follow the label

The maker's data has no care instructions, so follow the label sewn into the dress. That matters more than usual here, because viscose can shrink when it is washed too warm.

General habits for viscose: wash it cool and gently, don't wring it, hang it to dry and press it while slightly damp.

The wow detail: the V at the back

The front is as plain as a T-shirt. The back opens in a V almost down to the waist. On a dress this easy, that one cut is the surprise, and it also keeps you cool on a hot afternoon.

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 5 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 daytime are in our day dresses collection.