Call It A Comeback: The Prairie-Woman Dress Has Returned

There have been many takes on the prairie dress since Laura Ingalls Wilder. The last notable one was around 2012 when Rodarte presented a collection of earth-tone creations that were part Great Plains, part fashion. For fall 2015, the easy, flowy dress has returned in its most modern iteration yet, thanks to Rebecca Taylor. In a fresh new lineup stocked with Taylor’s signature anti-precious, feminine designs, it’s a deep, dusty-purple maxi that stood out to us instantly. While wallpaper florals might be a tough trend for some, this design, with its sheer sleeves and pleated-but-not-puffy silhouette, is a flattering take. It’s got all the appeal of the prairie dress — namely the ease, elegance, and floaty movement — without any of the costume-party vibes. Taylor accomplishes this with an of-the-moment mock neckline and bold color choices. In other words, there's no blending into the dusty backdrop. We're ready to wear this everywhere by tossing a leather moto jacket on top and being on our way. Can't say an Ingalls girl has ever done that.