Persephone Dress
The Persephone Dress is a vintage-inspired cotton midi dress that beautifully blends Victorian romance with modern refinement. Designed in our custom “Midnight Sun” print — a dark navy blue adorned with buttery yellow micro dots — this piece evokes the charm of a 19th-century quilt block brought to life in fabric. Crafted from soft 100% cotton with a smooth 60x60 thread count, it feels both structured and breathable, perfect for everyday wear or quiet occasions.
The Persephone features a low U-shaped neckline, above-the-elbow balloon sleeves gathered softly at the shoulders, and delicate banded cuffs that enhance its feminine silhouette. The fitted bodice follows curved princess seams into a subtle Basque V-waistline, creating a graceful, lengthened shape that flatters the figure. Fully functional buttons run down the front for a classic touch, while hidden side pockets add practicality. The back neckline features a higher, wide scoop and a straight back waistline for a balanced, tailored look.
Fabric & Construction
- 100% Cotton | 60x60 Thread Count (60 Waft / 60 Weft)
- Custom 19th-century reproduction print
- AZO-Free, non-toxic dyes
- Sheerness: ❦❦❦❦❦ — 5 out of 5 (Not Sheer)
- Ethically made in India
Fit & Features
- Princess-length midi dress with fitted bodice and Basque V-waistline (maxi on petites)
- Functional buttons down the front — nursing friendly
- Above-elbow balloon sleeves with gathered shoulders and banded cuffs
- Hidden side pockets
- Straight back waistline with wide scoop back neckline
- Non-elastic construction for structured fit
- Bra-friendly design
Sizing Notes: All measurements are fixed — this dress does not feature elastic. Choose size based on your band/chest measurement. If you are larger than a C cup or between band sizes, we recommend sizing up and tailoring for your ideal fit.
Model Info: Stephanie is 5'7" (170cm) and typically wears a size XS (32/34). She wears a size 32 in the Persephone Dress.
Inspiration: The Persephone Dress draws inspiration from Victorian-era Basque waist gowns — a silhouette beloved for its sculpted waistline and feminine detail. It also pays homage to the romantic styles of 1980s Laura Ashley, when prairie and heritage influences redefined modern femininity. The result is a piece that feels timeless: elegant, wearable, and sweetly nostalgic.
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.
Our shipping rates are automatically calculated at checkout based on weight and destination. We ship out of our studio in Portland, Oregon. We offer Free Shipping on orders over $250 (Domestic). Please allow 3-5 business days for order processing for items In Stock & Ready-to-Ship. Pre-Orders have an estimated ship date on the listing and will ship in the order they were received.
14 Day Returns. Shop with peace of mind, as you have the option to effortlessly exchange for a different size or receive store credit for returns. Some exceptions may apply. All return/exchange shipping fees are the responsibility of the buyer.
For more information, please visit our Policies page
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.
You May Also Like
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...
Rendered in our custom 1850s reproduction floral print, the Louisette Top is a sweet babydoll silhouette and features wide straps with lace inserts, rows of pintuck pleats along the top, and shell buttons down the front. Fabric: 100% Cotton in...
Romantic and feminine, the Mirielle Dress is rendered in our custom 1850s reproduction floral print and features a gathered bodice with functional drawstring gathers in the front and elasticated in the back for ease of wear. The ruffled shoulder straps...
