A Letter From Rose
The Evening Dress I Almost Sent Back
A one-shoulder dress for women our age? I had my doubts. Here's why the Amelia changed my mind.
Every wedding season, Olivia and I hear the same thing from the women who come into our boutique: "I don't know what to wear."
Not because they have nothing. Because every evening dress they try is wrong in some small, painful way. The fitted ones hug the tummy. The pretty ones look like they were made for a 25-year-old. And the safe ones are so plain you feel like you've given up before you've even left the house.
So many women end up in the same black dress they've worn for ten years. I think that's a shame, because a beautiful dress at a wedding or a birthday dinner still does something for us, at any age.
Two sisters, one little boutique
Olivia and I grew up near Lake Como, where our grandmother taught us to look at clothes the way you look at something you plan to keep for years: the fabric, the seams, the way it moves when you walk. We both became fashion designers in Italy, and nearly 45 years ago we followed our hearts to Florida and opened our boutique.
Since then, so many women have come through our door telling us the same thing: "Nothing is made for me anymore." Too young, too tight, or so plain you feel invisible. Finding the pieces that are made for the women we actually know, women in their sixties and seventies with full lives, became our life's work.
Every piece has to pass two tests
I want to be honest with you: I didn't design the Amelia. These days Olivia and I hand-pick the pieces for our boutique, and every one of them has to pass two tests.
Olivia's test is the fit, the fabric and the finish. Is it comfortable, is it made properly, will it still look good after a season of wear? My test is the woman wearing it. Does it flatter her, does it make her feel like herself, and where will she wear it? Most pieces fail one of the two and go straight back.
To be truthful, I almost sent this one back too. A one-shoulder dress for women our age? I had my doubts. Then I tried it on, and I changed my mind. Here's why it passed both tests.
The draping is placed exactly where it should be
This is the part Olivia checked first. Soft folds run diagonally across the bodice and gather at the waist. That is an old dressmaker's trick: the folds catch the eye and fall over the tummy, so the fabric never sits flat and tight where most of us would rather it didn't. You get shape at the waist without the dress hugging every curve.
★★★★★"I'm 63 and usually stay away from dresses that show my tummy. What I love about this design is how the fabric drapes across the waist and the skirt flows over my hips. I finally feel like I can wear something elegant without worrying about every little curve."
Margaret L., Boise, ID
A skirt that forgives the hips
Below the waist, the Amelia opens into a long, full skirt. It skims over the hips and thighs instead of clinging to them, and it moves beautifully when you walk. On the hanger, you can see how much fabric there is in it. That fullness is what makes it so forgiving.
★★★★★"I love how the skirt flows naturally with every step. It doesn't cling to my legs or hips, which is something I always worry about with longer dresses. It feels so light and graceful when I walk. Just beautiful!"
Wendy H., Greenville, NC
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One shoulder, and still not too revealing
I know what you're thinking, because I thought it too. But this isn't a bare, strappy party dress. The covered shoulder has a soft little cap sleeve, the neckline sits neatly, and the long skirt balances everything. It feels elegant and grown-up, not like you're trying to look younger than you are.
★★★★★"At 59, I wasn't sure if a one-shoulder dress was really for me. I thought it might feel too revealing, but it's actually very elegant. The neckline sits beautifully and the long skirt makes the whole look feel classy and age appropriate."
Janet F., Bend, OR
Comfortable enough for the whole evening
A dress for a special occasion has to last the whole evening: the ceremony, the dinner, the speeches, the dancing. Nothing about the Amelia is stiff. There's no tight band cutting in when you sit down, and the skirt gives you all the room you need to move.
★★★★★"I wore mine to my niece's wedding and was surprised by how comfortable it felt. I could sit through dinner, walk around and enjoy the evening without constantly adjusting the dress. At my age, comfort matters just as much as looking nice."
Judith A., Des Moines, IA
A rich chocolate brown that suits almost everyone
Black can look harsh on us as the years go by. This deep chocolate brown is softer and warmer, and it flatters almost every skin tone and hair color. It looks wonderful with gold jewelry and nude heels.
★★★★★"I've had my share of disappointing online clothing purchases, so I wasn't sure what to expect. The fabric feels lovely against my skin, the brown color is beautiful, and the draping looks so elegant. I'm really happy with it."
Joanne F., Omaha, NE
Made for the body you have today
We carry the Amelia from XS all the way to 3XL. My advice: take a moment to check the size chart before you order, especially at the waist, because that is where the dress is fitted. If you're between sizes, go by your measurements rather than your usual size. And if it isn't right, you have 30 days to send it back.
★★★★"I'm between sizes and was nervous about ordering without trying it on first. I went by the measurements instead of my usual size, and that worked well. The waist is slightly more fitted than I expected, but the flowing skirt is very forgiving."
Cynthia D., Roanoke, VA
The Amelia, against the evening dresses you usually find
Why it's only $84.95 right now
After nearly 45 years in America, Olivia and I have decided it's time to retire from the boutique and spend more time with our husbands, our children and our grandchildren here in Florida.
The Amelia is part of our final collection. When a size is gone, we won't be restocking it. So instead of carrying it into another season, we're saying goodbye to it with our Retirement Sale.
Amelia | Draped Maxi Dress
$169.95$84.95Retirement Sale, Save 50%
- Soft draping that falls over the tummy
- Fitted waist with a long, forgiving skirt
- Elegant one-shoulder with a modest cap sleeve
- Warm chocolate brown
Sizes XS to 3XL · Free UPS shipping · 30-day money-back guarantee
See if your size is still available →Buy 2, get an extra 10% off · Buy 3, get 15% · Buy 4 or more, get 20%. Applied automatically at checkout.
Our Retirement Sale is coming to an end.
Buy 2 get 10%, buy 3 get 15%, buy 4 or more get an extra 20% off. When your size is gone, it's gone.
I don't usually write letters like this. But after a lifetime in fashion, I know when a dress is worth telling you about. If you've spent too many weddings in the same safe black dress, I hope you find your size before it's gone.
Thank you for giving two Italian sisters a home, a community and a lifetime of memories here in Florida.
With love, Rose 🤍
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