Tapping into the vertical stripe – a key component of classic window coverings, hence the pattern’s “awning stripe” moniker – is summoning the power of an Eastern seaboard classic, from ’60s high-society fashion icon C.Z. Guest to the omnipresent Martha Stewart. It’s tasteful, it’s proper, it’s demure, it’s crisp. It also suits every woman, of every age. A striped shirtdress, with sleeves if you prefer that to Taylor’s sundress version, transports your summer look straight into WASP country club territory.
The choice of Ralph Lauren (Kelce also wore the brand for the pic) is a no-brainer. For 58 years, Lauren, née Ralph Lifshitz, has been peddling a very American dream of transformative sportswear. He stands for understated luxury, a British-inflected lifestyle: relaxed but posh leisurewear best seen plonked into big leather club chairs. That Lauren is still at the top of the game after six decades, still making clothing that America’s sweetheart wants to get engaged in, is an astonishing accomplishment.
He proves that classics are classic for a reason. This has turned out to be a very preppy summer, and the striped dress is everywhere, from Banana Republic and J.Crew on the affordable end of the budget, to Carolina Herrera and Veronica Beard in the splurge range.
It just so happens that the last two labels are favourites of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. As her show, With Love, Meghan, launched its second season this past week, we saw her a lot in this same aesthetic: crisp neutrals. She wore Carolina Herrera’s belted shirtdress with blue stripes and wide, drop-shoulder, folded-over sleeves (easier to cook in than some of her other on-screen choices). Town & Country singled out the look as “the perfect transitional season look” in its headline on the wardrobe choice. It appears in the episode with chef David Chang.
Over the years, we have seen Meghan in a number of awning-striped sundresses and shirtdresses. An early example is the sleeveless maxi dress by Martin Grant that she wore on both the Australian and African tours she took with Prince Harry while they were still working royals. She also wore a strapless Reformation striped dress on the Australian tour.
Today’s updated, sleeved versions suit Meghan more. The strapless ones are youthful and fun, but they weren’t the kind of crisp, professional clothing traditionally seen on royal tours. Ironically, today she is wearing dresses to cook in that are actually more on protocol. They are also likely to resonate with a more sophisticated audience.
We can take the idea from Taylor, or Meghan, and modify it to suit whatever age and stage we are at. A belt is a great way to add some polish to a simple transitional look. So are sensible-chic, mid-heeled sandals (you could quite literally wear these J.Crew ones with anything).
As summer unwinds into autumn, the striped shirtdress is something you can pull a cardigan over, or drape the sleeves around your shoulders for maximum Amagansett/Cape Cod/Nantucket-charged energy. Understated luxury is priceless and timeless.
Always asking questions,
—Leanne Delap
