Get the Perfect Summer Party Look With a DIY Gingham Dress

I have a feeling that fashion designers were watching The Wizard of Oz while designing spring lines, because gingham is *so* hot right now. It is without a doubt one of my favorite spring fashion trends, and making a gingham dress has been on my to-do list for a while. This outdoorsy print always makes me feel like going for a bike ride or setting up a picnic, with a matching picnic blanket of course!

As a disclaimer, this dress requires at least a basic knowledge of how to sew. If you’re totally new to sewing, I suggest checking out our Online Sewing Class first. Personally, I’m a beginner sewer (like, I know how to put an elastic waistband on something) and this dress was surprisingly easy. Just be sure to pick out a lightweight fabric so the dress doesn’t get too heavy. :)

Materials and Tools:

Step 1: Cut Your Dress Shape Out

First, make a circle with the fabric. Fold your fabric in half with the folded side at the top. Measure your chest and divide by four and add one. (For example, if your chest is 26 inches, you will end up with the number 7.5.) Mark that measurement at the top corner along the fold of the fabric. Mark that measurement down again along the other edge of the corner. Draw a curved line to connect the two points.

From each of the points, measure the length of how long you want your dress to be. I’m making mine 26 inches. Measure the dress length several times along the curved line. Connect those marks. Cut out two of these shapes. My measurements are on the diagram above.

Step 2: Sew the Dress Body

Sew the dress body by sewing the long edges of the two shapes together, good sides in, forming a funnel shape. Fold over the top at least half an inch and sew down, leaving a gap to thread in elastic.

Measure a piece of elastic around your chest. Thread in the elastic using a safety pin, then sew the two elastic ends together. Sew the gap close. Hem the skirt bottom.

Step 3: Make Sleeves

You’ll want to cut out a square for each sleeve. Measure the length of your bicep. Then, measure around your bicep and add 7-8 inches to it (you want the sleeves to be nice and flow-y). My square is 17 x 10 inches. Cut out two of these squares.

Sew a sleeve by sewing together the two short sides, good sides in, to form a tube. Hem one of the sides. Fold down the last raw edge at least half an inch down so that the elastic fits in and sew down, leaving a gap for the elastic. Repeat on second sleeve.

Step 4: Adding Elastic To The Sleeves

To add elastic to your sleeves, measure around your bicep and cut two pieces of elastic in that length. Feed the elastic through the opening on the sleeve with a safety pin. Sew the two edges of the elastic together and then sew the fabric opening close.

Step 5: Make Ties For The Sleeves

Make the ties for the sleeves by cutting out two 28 x 3-inch pieces. Fold them longways in half and sew the edges. Turn them inside out and stitch the short edges closed.

Place the straps on top of a sleeve at the bottom of the elastic. Add a couple of stitches by the bottom of the elastic to secure. Repeat on second sleeve. Tie the ties loosely around the sleeves.

Step 6: Attach Sleeves To Dress

Attach the sleeves of the dress by pinning the side seam of each sleeve to the top corners of the dress. Make a couple of stitches to secure the sleeves to the dress.

At this point, try on your dress and tailor to your liking. All done!

Olivia and her dog, Watson, totally brought it on set. They’re quite a pair, don’t you think?

Fashion Pro Tip: Always dress your dog like you.

Good dog!

Lookin’ sharp, you two!

How will you rock gingham this season?Share your photos on Instagram using #britstagram, and follow us on Pinterest for more DIY style inspo.

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

DIY Production and Styling: Irene Lee
Model: Olivia Hoang and Watson
Photography: Chris Andre

As much as I love the wholesome parts of the holidays (like decorating Christmas cookies and opening gifts in the morning), one of my absolute favorite parts about the end of the year is ringing in a new one. 2025 is on its way, baby, and if you’re anything like me, you’re already scheming up a New Year's party plan. The key to a good time is definitely having a great outfit – and these 12 Abercrombie & Fitch party dresses are actually perfect for the occasion. I’m talkin’ sequins, mesh, and even leopard print.

Get ready to stand out this season in these drop-dead gorgeous Abercrombie & Fitch party dresses!

Abercrombie & Fitch

Strapless Drop-Waist Maxi Dress

Drop waists will always get me. Plus, they're so flattering! This flowy maxi can be conveniently worn with or without straps to suit your personal style.

Abercrombie & Fitch

Long-Sleeve Sheer Hem Mini Dress

The scooped neckline on this stunning mini dress is mirrored along the back, which dips a bit lower for a sultry vibe. Pair with some basic heels, and your 'fit is complete.

Abercrombie & Fitch

Collared Zip-Up Midi Dress

The ruching along the front of this zip-up dress is super flattering, drawing eyes to your waistline. The high leg slit feels flirtatious as ever, which could be just the vibe you're needing for your New Year's plans.

Abercrombie & Fitch

Satin Slip Maxi Dress

Slip dresses are simply timeless and so easy to style. Lean more '90s with this foxy leopard print. I'd def wear it with some black boots and a black faux fur jacket for the drama (and more importantly, the warmth).

Abercrombie & Fitch

Long-Sleeve Mesh Maxi Dress

This meshy maxi comes with a mini-length slip along the inside so you won't have to constantly worry about coverage. The material still shows your skin in all the right places!

Abercrombie & Fitch

Strapless Pleated Skort Dress

This preppy piece can easily be played up for a party – if anything, I think the tailored look gives the impression that you're super polished. Slip into this strapless skort dress (yep, there's built-ini shorts!), step into some cute kitten heels, throw on a shaggy coat, and you're set!

Abercrombie & Fitch

Long-Sleeve Off-The-Shoulder Satin Mini Dress

I could see this one working just as well for a Christmas dinner as it would for a rather lit New Year's get-together. The off-the-shoulder look is simply so sweet!

Abercrombie & Fitch

Straight Neck Sequin Midi Dress

Sequins. Need I say more?! You'll immediately stand out among the crazy New Year's crowds in this fancy, disco ball-esque frock.

Abercrombie & Fitch

Off-The-Shoulder Rhinestone Maxi Dress

If full-on sequins aren't quite your thing, you can still put on a bit of shimmer with this dress that's dotted in tiny rhinestones. It comes in this amazing nude color or black to best suit your style!

Abercrombie & Fitch

High-Neck Satin Sculpt Midi Dress

While the front of this sleek midi is more modest, the back features an open design that lets you show some more skin. It's definitely on the elegant side, so I'd advise wearing it to a fancy cocktail hour or more low-key NYE party this year.

Abercrombie & Fitch

Emerson Off-The-Shoulder Skort Dress

Polka dots always feel super energetic to me, so if you want to be the one to get the party started, this is the dress for you! Plus, it'll make for some super cute Instagram pics. The design includes some built-in shorts, so coverage won't be an issue throughout the night.

Abercrombie & Fitch

Satin Embellished Strapless Mini Dress

Oh, this one is perfect. The tiny rhinestone embellishments will certainly have heads tuning your way.

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

I truly feel like I’ve been living under a rock when it comes to what’s good at Whole Foods. Turns out, they’ve been hiding some really impressive deals on groceries in the shadows, but I’m here to shed some light on ‘em. Whole Foods offers savings every week, and I’m fully convinced that my local Whole Foods will be seeing a whole lot more of me from now on.

Scroll on for details on Whole Foods’ top deals to shop starting today!

Kaboompics / PEXELS

1. BOGO 50% off packaged soups (Tuesdays)

Tuesdays and Fridays are the main days of the week that Whole Foods offers savings on their groceries. The first amazing deal for Tuesdays is BOGO 50% off packaged soups – perfect for this time of year!

They’ve got every kind of flavor from minestrone and chicken noodle to Italian wedding and broccoli cheddar. Their packaged soups average out at about $9 per 24-ounce tub, so saving 50% on one when you buy one is pretty good, especially for meal prep purposes.

Lukas / PEXELS

2. $2 off classic and organic rotisserie chickens (Tuesdays)

You can take $2 off two kinds of Whole Foods’ rotisserie chickens every Tuesday. Their classic rotisserie chicken goes for $9 while the organic version sells for $13. I love using rotisserie chicken for soups, sandwiches, wraps, and pastas, so getting a whole chicken to use for recipes all week long for just $7 is so nice!

Nadin Sh / PEXELS

3. $8 large cheese pizzas (Friday)

Sometimes you just do not feel like cooking on a Friday evening after work – that’s where this Whole Foods savings hack comes in! Every Friday, you can get a large cheese pizza for $8. While there’s nothing wrong with a plain cheese pizza (nostalgia galore!), I’d take advantage of this deal then bulk up my slices with various toppings like peppers, pepperoni, and olives.

Nadin Sh / PEXELS

4. 12 for $12 wild caught oysters (Friday)

Ooh, fancy! Every Friday, Whole Foods’ wild caught oysters go for $1 a pop. Buy a dozen for just $12, and you’re golden. This deal would be perfect for a bougie at-home date night.

Pixabay / PEXELS

5. BOGO 50% off packaged sushi rolls (Friday)

This is another great date night pick! Buy one packaged sushi roll, and get another 50% off on Fridays only. From rainbow rolls to California rolls, this Whole Foods savings hack has my cravings going crazy.

Minchephoto Photography / PEXELS

6. $10 family-sized tiramisu (Friday)

Got a hankering for a sweet treat? Don’t fret – you can shop a whole family-sized serving of tiramisu at Whole Foods for just $10 every Friday.

Kseniia Lopyreva / PEXELS

7. $12 bottles of prosecco (Friday)

The death of the work week and start of the weekend is obviously a cause for celebration, and Whole Foods has you covered with $12 bottles of Presto prosecco every Friday. Cheers!

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Need a good winter outfit for all the upcoming holiday activities at the last minute? Look no further than these Amazon winter dresses. There are thousands of amazing styles, but these 15 frocks are particularly perfect for the season and are downright flattering. They'll arrive just in time for that dinner party you're planning or the New Year's excursion you just can't wait to go on!

Shop the best Amazon winter dresses below!

Ynhonra Babydoll Puff Sleeve Dress

This adorable baby doll dress would look stunning with some tall black boots and a hair bow!

Yozazzy Vintage Velvet Dress

Velvet is oh-so cozy for the season. Layer it up with some matching tights and a statement jacket!

Mybfyabo Square Neck Front Bow Midi Dress

This get-up is super sweet, thanks to the bows running down the front.

Anrabess Oversized Sweater Dress

We adore sweater dresses over here. This one will keep you warm through it all!

Newshows Bodycon Sweater Dress

This body-hugging sweater dress will flatter your figure like no other. The button-up design and collar add a nice sophisticated feel!

Floerns Leopard Backless Mesh Mini Dress

This is the ultimate party dress. Get ready to snap all the Instagram pics at this season's New Year's function.

Prettygarden Off-Shoulder Sweater Dress

The off-the-shoulder shape on this maxi dress gives it such a sultry vibe, which will pair wonderfully with a statement necklace and some elegant ballet flats or slingback heels.

Kaximil Square Neck Ruffle Hem Mini Dress

This dress emphasizes your waistline to make you look snatched as ever. Plus, it comes in so many different colors to suit your personal style!

Reoria Long Sleeve Soft Lounge Long Dress

Skims dress dupe, anyone? This extremely soft long dress shapes you up quite nicely for any occasion.

Prettygarden Lantern Sleeve Short Dress

The tied waistline on this pretty pick will help pull in your waist and supply a flattering hourglass shape! Wear it with some brown boots and a denim jacket for a low-key winter 'fit.

Zesica Puff Sleeve Tie Front Dress

Bows, bows, and bows! This tie-front dress is truly everything. We'd rock it with some black tights and heels for a Christmas party.

Zesica Long Sleeve Maxi Dress

The drop waist design on this maxi will help elongate your figure and make you feel uber-confident for your next winter get-together.

Owin Ribbed Knit Mini Dress

The scrunchy ties on the sides of this marvelous mini infuse it with a flirty feel. We're absolutely snagging this style for our New Year's plans!

Prettygarden Casual Midi Dress

You're gonna feel like a total princess in this pick, thanks to the larger-than-life puff sleeves. Accessorize with a sparkly headband and some ballet flats, and boom – your Christmas outfit is sorted.

R.Vivimos Vintage Velvet Dress

Velvet is just the material for winter since it's so cozy. This pick comes in a ton of colors so you can find the perfect hue for your closet.

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

As much as I love celebrity couples, I love celebrity sibling relationships even more. And Elle and Dakota Fanning are two sisters I've grown up watching since I first saw Dreamer in 2005. Considering Elle Fanning is only five months older than me, and I have a sister of my own, this is one relationship that feels particularly familiar. And while Elle has also watched Dakota Fanning act since we were kids, Dakota just revealed seeing Elle onscreen is just as special for her.

Here's why Dakota & Elle Fanning get emotional seeing each other onscreen.

Elle remembers "sobbing" during one particularly emotional Dakota Fanning movie.

“When Elle’s in anything, it makes me feel it deeper,” Dakota Fanning said at TheWrap’s Power Women Summit on December 3. “She never can fully disappear into a character totally for me as her sister. She obviously does an amazing job, but I’m always gonna see my little sister a little bit.”

And Elle is just as touched by Dakota's roles, and remembers "uncontrollably sobbing" after seeing Now Is Good, a movie where Dakota's character was dying of cancer. “Because it was my sister, I had a real traumatic reaction after that premiere and the screening,” Elle says. “Obviously the acting, but it was something felt on a deeper level.”

“I’m doing this job, I’m an actor because my sister started before me and I watched her,” Elle continues. “I wanted to do exactly what my big sister wanted to do.”

And their movies have also made an impact on everyone who watches them.

When Brit + Co caught up with Dakota Fanning at the world premiere of The Watchers, I had to ask about one of her most iconic movies: Uptown Girls. "I love it," she says of TikTok memes and edits giving the movie new life. "It's nostalgic for people who are kind of around my age, who grew up watching that movie, I think it's like a comfort movie for people. And so I love that people are still revisiting it and loving it. And maybe now that everyone's older [they're] understanding different things about it."

Dakota starred opposite Brittany Murphy, who also had roles in movies like Clueless, 8 Mile, and Girl, Interrupted. Brittany passed away in 2009 when Dakota was 15. "I loved Brittany so much and I still miss her," she says. "So anytime that she has, you know, a moment where people think about her is also nice."

You can see Elle Fanning in A Complete Unknown, in theaters December 25, and you can also stream Dakota Fanning's new show The Perfect Couple on Netflix now.

Heaping plates of Christmas cookies are synonymous with the holidays. It seems that nearly every country around the globe has their own variation on the holiday classic. In fact, some of these regions have been making their version of Christmas cookies for literal hundreds of years.

If you’re looking for a way to reconnect with your heritage, or maybe just want a little baking inspiration, check out our picks for the yummiest Christmas cookies from around the world.

The Noshery

Mantecaditos con Guayaba

These may look like ordinary thumbprint cookies, but these almond shortbreads from Puerto Rico are filled with a special guava marmalade. (via The Noshery)

Broma Bakery

Meringues

French meringues are a classic crumbly egg white cookie with a chewy interior. These get an extra European twist with the addition of Nutella. (via Broma Bakery)

Pretty. Simple. Sweet.

Alfajores

Deeply flavored dulce de leche, a caramel made from whole milk commonly found in Spain and many Latin American countries, is the key ingredient in these super pretty sandwiched Christmas cookies. (via Pretty. Simple. Sweet.)

Fancy Peasant

Melomakarona

These Christmas cookies that hail from Greece get their sweetness from a generous soaking of fresh honey! (via Fancy Peasant)

Very Eatalian

Baci di Dama

The name of this Italian treat translates to “lady’s kisses” — how adorable is that? These bite-sized cuties are made with ground hazelnuts and filled with a dollop of dark chocolate. (via Very Eatalian)

Cooking Classy

Linzer Cookies

These Austrian Christmas cookies are typically made with raspberry jam, but feel free to get crazy with a filling of your choice. Plus, the gorgeous windowpane look will make them a prize takeaway at your next cookie exchange. (via Cooking Classy)

Olivia’s Cuisine

Basler Brunsli

If you’re hanging out in Switzerland around Christmas time, you’ll definitely see these chocolate treats around. They’re often described as Swiss brownies due to their deliciously chewy texture. Perfect with a cup of eggnog or coffee! (via Olivia’s Cuisine)

Cilantro Parsley

Buñuelos

These tender miniature fritters from Mexico are a mix between a donut and cookie. Whatever you want to call them, they’re delicious. (via Cilantro Parsley)

Chef Lindsey Farr

Apricot Kolachys

The Hungarians definitely know what’s up when tart apricot jam gets wrapped in a blanket of flaky pastry. They’re a bright spot on a cold Christmas day. (via Chef Lindsey Farr)

Life, Love and Sugar

Cutout Sugar Cookies

In the United States, a plate of these festively decorated sugar cookies is just what Santa ordered. (via Life, Love and Sugar)

Saveur

Polvorones

You’ll find these simple pecan shortbread cookies all over Mexico around this time of year. The coating of powdered sugar and canela, a type of Mexican cinnamon, really bring the flavor to the next level. (via Saveur)

A Healthy Life for Me

Pignoli

These Italian Christmas cookies are made of a chewy almond base and topped with pine nuts. (via A Healthy Life for Me)

Fancy Peasant

Kourabiedes

These Greek Christmas cookies feature a buttery biscuit topped with mass amounts of powdered sugar. (via Fancy Peasant)

Does your family have a traditional cookie recipe for the holidays? Tag us @BritandBo in your Instagram photos and let us know!

This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.

Lead image via Pretty. Simple. Sweet.