The White Eyelet Dress: How to Choose and Wear It

The white eyelet dress is a summer classic. It is cool, crisp and pretty, and it suits a beach lunch as easily as a garden party. Dôen makes some of the best, in cotton it calls Salt. This guide explains what eyelet is and how to wear it, with picks from the Dôen collection at Coveti and our designer dresses. For other white cotton shapes, see our Dôen dress guide.

What is eyelet?

Eyelet, also called broderie anglaise, is cotton with small holes punched in it and then edged with embroidery. The holes form flowers, scallops and borders. It is breathable and light, which is why it shows up in summer dresses and blouses.

How to wear a white eyelet dress

• Day: flat leather sandals, a woven basket and gold jewellery.
• Evening: a coloured heel and a bright bag stop it looking too sweet.
• Cool weather: a denim jacket and a cropped cardigan.
• Underneath: white eyelet can be sheer, so wear a skin-toned slip. Our guide to Dôen slips explains how to choose.

Can you wear white eyelet to a wedding?

Not as a guest. A white dress risks looking bridal. White eyelet is ideal for a rehearsal lunch, a bridal shower and as the bride’s second outfit.

White eyelet dresses to buy

• Nessie Dress in Salt: a classic eyelet dress, also in Nessie Dress in Black.
• Hortense Dress in Salt: longer and fuller.
• Eliette Dress in Salt: soft and romantic.
• Patience Dress in Salt: an Edwardian take.
• Clemencia Dress in Salt: the most special of the group.

Eyelet also works as a separate. The Toussine Top in Salt and the Nera Top in Salt pair with denim. See the Dôen tops guide for more.

How to care for white eyelet

Follow the label. Most cotton eyelet is washed cold and dried flat and on a hanger. Iron on the reverse so the embroidery stays raised. Store it away from light to stop yellowing.

For more white summer dresses, our garden party dresses edit and cotton maxi dresses are both worth a look.

White cotton from Dôen

Every piece below is in stock at Coveti now, authenticated and shipped worldwide. See the full Dôen collection for every colourway.

• Dôen Aloise Dress in Salt, 650 US dollars. Ramie gives the Aloise Dress its ease.
• Dôen Elarie Dress in Salt, 690 US dollars. Organic cotton voile gives the Elarie Dress its ease.
• Dôen Daphne Dress in Salt, 540 US dollars. Cut in organic cotton poplin, the Daphne Dress is an A-line dress with puffed sleeves.
• Dôen Bea Dress in Salt, 540 US dollars. Cut in ramie, the Bea Dress is a popover dress with a square neckline and slim straps.
• Dôen Hilde Dress in Salt, 840 US dollars. Cut in ramie, the Hilde Dress is a breezy dress with a square neckline and a sleeveless cut.
• Dôen Esmée Dress in Salt, 980 US dollars. The Esmée Dress is an A-line dress in organic cotton voile.
• Dôen Cordelia Dress in Salt, 540 US dollars. Cut in cotton poplin, the Cordelia Dress is an easy dress with a square neckline and slim straps.
• Dôen Oleander Dress in Salt, 980 US dollars. The Oleander Dress is a bias-cut dress in silk satin, cut with a square neckline and fine straps.
• Dôen Ophélie Dress in Salt, 1430 US dollars. Dôen makes the Ophélie Dress in lace: a fitted dress with a square neckline and slim straps.
• Dôen Rivière Dress in Salt, 840 US dollars. The Rivière Dress is a fitted dress in cotton poplin.

Frequently asked questions

What is a white eyelet dress?

A white cotton dress made from eyelet fabric, which has small embroidered holes forming a pattern.

Is eyelet the same as broderie anglaise?

Yes. Broderie anglaise is the traditional name for the same embroidered cotton.

Is a white eyelet dress see-through?

It can be, through the holes and in light cotton. A skin-toned slip solves it.

How do you keep white eyelet white?

Wash it cold with whites only, dry it out of direct sun and store it in a breathable bag.