WORDS BY STEPHEN YU
You’ve probably seen one of their vintage-style dresses on Instagram. You might have spotted their vibrant prints on several of your favourite influencers. Either way, if you didn’t want a RIXO dress already, you definitely want one now.
A viral Instagram sensation, RIXO dresses have become the unofficial occasionwear dresses of fashion editors and it-girls worldwide, but to pigeonhole the brand like that would be to do it a disservice – RIXO is occasion wear for any occasion.
Founded by best friends Henrietta Rix and Orlagh McCloskey, the RIXO mantra is ‘dressing-up is for daytime, floor-length can be casual, and style always transcends season’. The duo’s aim was to empower and inspire women to feel free to wear something timelessly feminine every day, rather than when the situation demands it. That’s why you’ll see their bohemian dresses on every type of woman, at any time of day, in both formal and more casual settings. So if you’re looking for that ‘wow factor’ that only a one-off vintage dress can deliver, but don’t fancy hitting the second-hand market, RIXO offers an equally unique yet contemporary spin on classic silhouettes.
But, while every RIXO piece is hand-painted with eye-catching designs, and is usually adorned with cute details like puffed sleeves, retro necklines, oh and lots of ruffles, there’s more than just one dress shape to choose from. With everything from flowing maxi’s, to slinky slips and playful mini dresses, we can understand any reservations you might have about sizing. And when the dresses are such high-quality, some are made from 100% silk, these are real investment pieces making having to take care of their delicate fabrics even more important. Thankfully, we’ve got some Instagram famous Rixo experts on hand to give us the lowdown on all things Rixo sizing and care.
RIXO DRESSES: Sizing and Fit Guide
Photographer and blogger at Lolita says so
On her first Rixo dress:
My first (and only until this new one) Rixo dress was a gift from a friend – it’s a black long-sleeved patterned one from two years ago. I would never have picked it for myself usually but when I tried it on it fitted my shape so well. It's been my go-to wedding attire since! I love its mid-calf length and the two subtle mid-thigh slits in the chiffon fabric make it perfect for dancing in yet still formal enough for a special occasion. I knew I’d found a special piece the first time I wore it as I got so many compliments!
Advice on buying your first piece from Rixo:
Have fun! I don’t tend to wear bright, patterned clothes day-to-day so these pieces feel different and one-of-a-kind for me. The cuts are flattering on lots of different body shapes so don’t be afraid to choose something a little out of the ordinary for yourself. They feel like special occasion statement pieces and they’re great to dance in!
On her outfit choice:
I'm wearing the Miriam Klimt Eye Wave print dress. I don't wear many patterned clothes but I love true blue so the colour is what drew me to this dress, and also I love the big sleeves. The detail and shapes in the patterning (which are a nod to artist Gustav Klimt, I’m a huge art geek!) plus the mix of ruched fabric in places – like around the sleeves and neckline – made me feel like it would be fun to wear!
On Rixo sizing:
I got this dress in medium (I'm a size 10) and actually wish I’d gone a size down as I would’ve liked it to be a little more form-fitting around the chest, waist and hips, and also the sleeves fall from the shoulders quite easily. It’s still a good fit but a lot flowier than I thought it would be. I had to adjust the sleeves and top a few times before I wore it.
How to take care of your Rixo dress:
The label on this one says to dry clean only, and although I tend to take special pieces like this to my dry cleaner, sometimes I’ll just hand wash anything delicate or fragile. Instead of using a washing machine, I gently wash it with warm water in the basin of my sink. Afterwards, I make sure to get as much water out of it as possible without damaging the fabric, then I let it air dry on a hanger. If it’s a little creased I’ll use my steamer on it but I find hanging it when still wet makes it a lot easier to dry it without creases.
RIXO Size Guide - Country
RIXO Size Guide - Measurements
RIXO DRESSES: Sizing and Fit Guide
Image by Michaela Efford
Natasha Ndlovu (@natashandlovu)
Photographer, model and blogger at Bisous Natasha
On her first Rixo dress:
The first Rixo dress I ever had was from a couple of years ago. It’s a short, red dress with star embellishments and long sleeves. I got it around springtime and wore it quite a lot, I was still wearing it well into late Summer. Worn with knee-high boots, trainers or flat sandals, it works well as both a casual dress and a going out dress. It’s the perfect dress for a special occasion. I like that it fits loosely around the waist without compromising the silhouette of the dress too much.
Advice on buying your first piece from Rixo:
I would say buy a dress that you’ll get the most wear out of. I love a unique print or design but I’m also someone who wants to get the most wear out of an item for its value. Ask yourself if this is a dress that you can wear all year round, or at least the majority of the year. When it comes to dressing up in the fall or winter, can you add tights and a pair of boots to the dress of your choice? Versatility is key when I’m investing in an item of clothing such as a dress.
On her outfit choice:
I chose the Cameron Star Print maxi dress for a number of reasons. I’m not that into bright-coloured dresses, so I wanted something darker but with a touch of colour. The star print also adds a bit of glam to it. The fact that it’s a maxi dress means I can wear it in both the summer and winter. It’s laid back enough to wear casually but it can also be glammed up for a more formal event. It’s a style of dress that will be on-trend for years to come.
On Rixo sizing:
I’m a size UK8 and for me, Rixo items of clothing fit true-to-size. As someone who works in the fashion industry, I’m constantly shopping online for product reviews, and I’ve never had issues with sizing when it comes to Rixo. I’m 173cm tall and the Cameron maxi dress that I have fits perfectly around my chest and waist area, and the length of the dress is ideal for me as well. So, for anyone looking to buy a dress from the brand, go ahead with your regular sizing. For any expectant mothers, I think a lot of the maxi dresses will work with your growing baby bump for quite some time before you’ll have to resort to other forms of maternity wear.
How to take care of your Rixo dress:
The maxi dress that I have is dry clean only, that being said, if your item of clothing is machine washable, read the garment label for instructions on what temperature or cycle to use when washing it. Also, check to see how you need to hang it to dry, and how hot or cool your iron needs to be if it requires ironing.