Row, Row, Row The Boat ...

Sorry, lame title but I couldn't help it. You have probably caught my hint to the Rowboat dress. Apparently this dress is quite popular and sold out already in many B&Ms. I must admit that the first time that I saw it in store I thought nothing of it. No, actually I thought "Oh no, stripes, again!". Because let's be honest, at this point only zebras can carry stripes around and not be pointed at as fashion victims or feel overstriped.

But this one is different and I can understand why it is selling out. It is very simple and very Parisian chic, at least in the faded black colorway (which is actually more charcoal IRL). The wide stripes in this case won't make you feel like you stole the fabric from a beach chair (thanks to Tabitha for the hilarious comment to my post on the Maritime dress!). I actually had a very hard time to choose between the XS and XXS. I really liked the longer length in the XS but it was a little bit shapeless overall so in the end I got the XXS. There was quite a difference in length between the two sizes, you can call for measurements but the XXS was considerably shorter (although I have recently learned from a post on the JCA that I must be fairly long-legged for a petite, especially in the tighs, so it could actually look longer on some of you).

I didn't really "styled" it for the pictures, I think it is best worn like this, it is a throw-on-and-go kind of dress. I just wore it with my version of espadrilles, the fantastic Kelly Rib in natural by Stubbs and Wooton, which are simply the best espadrilles that you can buy (and they come in gingham this year!):

Even if the description doesn't mention it and the fabric tag says "100% cotton", the trim around the sleeves and at the neckline is silk (like a crepe de Chine). It is a nice detail but that could be tricky if you have perspiration problems, just something to take into consideration. However, it is machine washable (cold water, gentle cycle) so better than if it were dry-clean only (in that case I wouldn't have bought it).
I tried to belt it as someone suggested but there isn't enough fabric IMO:

It can be dressed up a bit with a jacket, in this case an old DVF bolero is exactly the same cream-y color of the lighter stripes:

I hope that these pics help if you are considering this dress.

I will be back for sure before Memorial Day. My husband is leaving for a business trip on Saturday night (literally, at 3 am) and I am left to spend Memorial day alone in the city with my daughter (long story). This is going to be be the worst Memorial Day ever. I can't believe last year I was here. Sigh!