Frankie ties it in when you want the shape, and lets it go when you don't.

The Frankie is a shirt dress made from 100% cotton, in a blue and white check, true to size. It has a collared button-front placket, short gathered sleeves, a shaped waist, and a tiered hem that gathers into fullness partway down the skirt. A long self-tie belt, cut from the same fabric, can be worn cinched in or left loose. It has side pockets and is made in Cape Town, South Africa, by a small all-female team, in a limited run.

The waist is shaped into the dress itself, so Frankie holds its form with or without the belt. Tie it in for definition, or let it go for something looser and easier through the body. Either way, the tiered hem takes over from there, dropping into a fuller, gathered skirt that moves as you walk.

The self-tie belt is cut from the same check as the dress, not a separate accessory, so it never fights the print. Simple, considered, and built to be worn either way.

FAQ

Does the Frankie run true to size, and which size should I take?
The Frankie runs true to size. Our model is 170cm and wears a size 32. Take your usual Signature by Des size, and use the self-tie belt to adjust the waist to your preference.

What fabric is it made from and how does it wear?
The Frankie is made from 100% cotton in a blue and white check. Cotton breathes well in warm weather and holds its shape through the shaped waist and tiered hem.

How do I wash and care for it?
Hand wash only. This keeps the cotton check and the self-tie belt in good condition, and protects the red thread detail at the final button.

What can I wear it with?
Tie the self-tie belt in for a defined waist, or leave it loose and let the tiered hem do the work. Both are part of the design, not an afterthought.

Where is it made and how many were produced?
The Frankie is made in Cape Town, South Africa, by a small all-female team, as part of a limited run.

Do I have to wear the belt for the dress to hold its shape?
No. The waist is shaped into the dress itself, so the Frankie holds its form with or without the belt tied in. The belt adds definition if you want it, but isn't needed for fit.