This post is sponsored by XCVI.
XCVI is offering NextTribe readers a 25% discount on all full-priced merchandise. Type in the code: NEXTTRIBE25 at check out. One use per customer. Thanks XCVI.
When I shop for clothes, there are four qualities I always consider. Besides great style and good fit of course, I look for versatility and packability. I travel a lot and take great pride in never checking a bag. (I recently posted in our Facebook Travel Group a photo of me with a small backpack in which I’d fit everything for a week in both hot and cold climates.)
That’s why I really love this Bran Dress from XCVI. It’s made of stretchy poplin with side panels of cotton/spandex ribbing that results in a smooth fit that hangs well. So that’s a check for fit. I like the ruching and the slightly nautical details. It’s a different look for me, and I was surprised at how fun and functional these touches were. There are jaunty grommets in the roomy pockets, and I truly adore pockets in any garment, especially a dress. Our fashion editor, Kimberly Cihlar, couldn’t agree more and wrote a whole story in praise of pockets.
The Long and Short of It
I also like that using the ruching I can make the dress length longer or shorter. It’s like a curtain you can pull up or down based on how sexy you feel that day, I suppose. XCVI is known for its creative use of ruching, but to be honest, I normally ruching is merely decorative. The bonus of the ruching, when considering packability, is that any wrinkles acquired in a suitcase are virtually invisible in the folds of fabric.
As for versatility—beyond the adjustable length, I like that the dress can be dressed up with a jacket (the one shown above is also by XCVI) or can go it alone for a weekend look. The dress comes in three colors—Navy, a dusty brown, and what’s called toasted almond. I chose the light color because I live in Texas, where spring comes early and I always love a light color for layering. Plus, I’m heading to the beach at the end of February for a NextTribe Retreat, and this dress is coming with me—packed in my carry on and ready to take me anywhere over the week in Mexico.
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