Mood Monday: Encircled Retrograde Kimono Dress

As you may have noticed, I love multi-way pieces, and I love Encircled.

Encircled have had their Retrograde Kimono DressRetrograde Kimono Dress for a little while now, and I’ve been ogling it for about the same amount of time. A dress that can be worn forwards, backwards, and open like a jacket or cardigan? Yes, please!

The first iteration had a lot of positive feedback, and they’ve now revised the design. The new look not only includes pockets, but also incorporates a slimmer cut. This pleases me greatly, as I did feel that the original design was a little baggier than I’d like for the style. You also have to love a company that takes customer feedback into consideration for future design improvements.

The Retrograde Kimono Dress is perfect for layering. It complements so many of their other pieces, but is versatile enough to be able to adapt to any wardrobe. You can wear it over a long-sleeve in its zipped or unzipped forms, or as a light jacket or long cardigan over a short-sleeve top. Paired with cigarette pants, skinny jeans or leggings, it creates possibilities that delight the mind. I'm somewhat inclined to think I'd also wear it belted with the zipper at the back. But this is something I would have to test when I eventually get my hands on one to see how that looks in practice with the zipper accents.

I’m a long way from getting down to a well-curated, rather than capsule-sized wardrobe, but my imaginary vision board absolutely has the Retrograde Kimono DressRetrograde Kimono Dress on it.

As a parent to a toddler, this is also the kind of thing that’d be ridiculously comfortable to wear while chasing after a little munchkin, and keeping you looking put together at the same time in any of its configurations. Look good, feel good, and like you’re able to, if not take over the world, at least manage an almost 3-foot-tall bundle of energy. For the mums or mums-to-be, the loose fit would be accommodating during pregnancy, and the zipper makes it a great nursing-friendly option over a nursing cami.

I long for this dress as a day-to-day piece, and wouldn’t hesitate to bring it as a travel item as well. But first, I need to Marie Kondo the hell out of my wardrobe.