Calais Dress - Midnight Sun
Easy Returns & Exchanges New to Atèlette? Your first full-price order is eligible for exchange, store credit, or refund within our return window. Complimentary first size exchanges are available on eligible U.S. orders. Visit our Policies Page for more info.
The Calais Dress is an effortlessly charming midi-length day dress designed for comfort and timeless appeal. Crafted from soft 100% cotton in our custom “Midnight Sun” print — a dark navy adorned with buttery yellow micro dots inspired by a 19th-century quilt block — this dress captures the quiet beauty of vintage everyday wear.
Featuring a softly gathered scoop neckline, raglan puffed cap sleeves, and functional mother of pearl buttons down the front, the Calais blends ease with elegance. The elasticated neckline, sleeves, and waist provide gentle structure and comfort, while hidden side pockets add practicality. A self-sash ties at the waist for a flattering silhouette and can be neatly stored in the loop at the neckline when untied.
Inspired by easy-to-wear day dresses from the 1980s with a nod to the 1940s, the Calais Dress was designed for the rhythm of everyday life — light, feminine, and endlessly wearable.
Fabric & Construction
- 100% Cotton
- Custom 19th-century reproduction print: “Midnight Sun” — dark navy with buttery yellow micro dots
- Sheerness: ❦❦❦❦❦ — 5 out of 5 (Not Sheer)
- Ethically made in India
Fit & Features
- Midi length silhouette
- Scoop neckline with light gathers
- Raglan puffed cap sleeves
- Elasticated neckline, sleeves, and waist for comfort
- Functional mother of pearl buttons down the front
- Hidden side pockets
- Includes self-sash that can be stored at neckline loop
Model Info: Studio model is 5'8 and wearing a size 34. Editorial model is 5'7 and wearing a size 32.
Inspiration: The Calais Dress draws from the easy day dresses of the 1980s and the practical yet feminine sensibilities of 1940s silhouettes. Designed for everyday wear, it captures the spirit of heritage style — simple, versatile, and quietly refined.
This is our typical size chart. If you are a size 32 (XS) in our garments, your bust, waist, and hips should be consistent with the measurements listed below. If you are in between measurements, depending on the style, you may need to size up or size down. Each product listing will include fit notes so you can make the most informed decision for yourself. You may find, depending on varying silhouettes, that you will need to purchase different sizes for different garments. Purchase based on the measurement that is most consistent for your body (i.e.-- if your waist size fluctuates but your bust does not, purchase based on your waist measurement and get the bust taken in with your tailor).
| Size | Bust | Waist | Hips |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 31-33 | 24-25 | up to 34 |
| 34 | 33-35 | 26-27 | up to 36 |
| 36 | 35-37 | 28-29 | up to 38 |
| 38 | 37-39 | 30-31 | up to 40 |
| 40 | 39-41 | 32-33 | up to 42 |
| 42 | 41-43 | 34-35 | up to 44 |
Helpful Links
How to Measure Yourself A quick and simple guide on how to measure yourself with photos and a video.
Our garments are crafted from natural fibers that are lightweight and made to feel as if you're wearing a well-loved vintage heirloom. Our sheerness scale is from 1 to 5 with one being sheer and 5 being opaque.
❦❦❦❦❦ - 5 out of 5 - Not Sheer | We give this rating to an item if when worn in a room with natural light or outdoors the garment is not sheer when worn with skin toned undergarments. Garments with this rating may still have some sheerness when garment is worn outdoors, and sunlight passes through the garment.
❦❦❦❦❦- 4 out of 5 - Semi Sheer | We give this rating to an item if when worn in a room with natural light is not sheer when worn with skin toned undergarments. When worn outdoors in sunlight/direct light will show some sheerness.
❦❦❦❦❦- 3 out of 5 - Somewhat Sheer | We give this rating to an item if when worn in a room with natural light worn with skin toned undergarments will show a little sheerness. When worn outdoors in sunlight/direct light will be more sheer. We recommend wearing a slip under this garment.
❦❦❦❦❦- 2 out of 5 - Sheer | We give this rating to an item if when worn in a room with natural light worn with skin toned undergarments will be sheer and your undergarments may be visible. When worn outdoors in sunlight/direct light will be sheer. We recommend wearing a slip under this garment.
❦❦❦❦❦- 1 out of 5 - Very Sheer | We give this rating to an item if when worn in a room with natural light worn with skin toned undergarments will be very sheer. This garment is not recommended for wearing outdoors and most likely this garment is for indoor wear only.
Orders are thoughtfully packed and shipped from our studio in Portland, Oregon. We currently ship throughout the U.S. and to select international destinations, including Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. International customers are responsible for any applicable duties, taxes or customs fees upon delivery. Allow 4-6 business days for order to be processed and shipped.
We want you to feel comfortable finding your fit with Atèlette. First-time customers may return eligible full-price pieces within our return window for an exchange, store credit or refund to the original form of payment. Returning customers may return eligible pieces for an exchange or store credit. Complimentary first size exchanges are available on eligible U.S. orders.
Items marked Final Sale cannot be returned or exchanged. International customers are responsible for return shipping and must contact us before sending a return.
Visit our POLICIES page for more details.
Sustainable Mindset: At Atèlette, we constantly reflect on the challenges of building a sustainable women's clothing brand, and whenever given the option, we choose the path that aligns with our values. Every decision we make is rooted in ethical, slow fashion principles, ensuring that we do the best we can with the resources and knowledge we have.
Customer Driven Design: Our approach revolves around customer-driven production to minimize unnecessary waste. This distinctive aspect of our business ensures that we produce only the garments that genuinely resonates with our community, aligning with our commitment to sustainability.
Focus on Natural Fibers: We prioritize natural fibers and as a benchmark only try to create garments in fibers that will biodegrade in 20 years or less in a landfill. We try to source overstock of fabrics whenever possible.
Women Owned & Led Manufacturing: Our manufacturing partners in India are minority women owned and led who pay fair labor wages and produce goods with sustainability as one of their core values. As a company owned and led by an immigrant minority woman, this was deeply important for our founder.
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