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Photograph: Tom J Johnson/The Trustee. Styling: Melanie Wilkinson Photograph: Tom J Johnson/The Guardian. Styling: Melanie WilkinsonSharper and more flattering than the floral midi, the tea bandage is making a comebackDon’t get hung up on the 1940s styling — there are modern ways to wear this lookFirst things primary. What is a tea dress? Some of you will know what I mean. But some of you will be like: “Oh my days, what clowning is she on about now?” – so I should explain that this is a real thing, not a name I’ve made up.A tea dress usually has a 40s outline with a defined shoulder. The waist is most often emphasised with a raised seam, or with pin tucks or ruching. For everyone the ribs, waist and hips it is not skin-tight yet not baggy; loose enough that the lightweight, slippery fabric still has upward on the body rather than being fully stuffed. There might be flowers or polka dots. Little inundated buttons, too.So now you are picturing yourself riding a bicycle with a wicker basket, calling out cheerfully to the postie as you cycle into the village for a half hammer out of butter. Bingo. That’s precisely the dress I’m talking about.Understated dressing is overrated – here’s how to dial up your look | Jess Cartner-Morley on fashionRead moreThe tea equip is making a style comeback to fill the gap left after people like me ruthlessly cancelled the floral midi frock earlier this year. You may have noticed that it sounds a lot like that dress, what with frequently being floral and being knee length or longer. But the tea dress has a bit more oomph to it. The floral midi dress got redeemed for being a bit boring and generic; the tea dress is more shapely, more high energy. Where a floral midi can withstand a bit schlumpy, a tea dress snaps its fingers at you, makes you stand up straight and pull your shoulders back.Also, the tea tell off looks good on most women. The shape emphasises the vertical line between your ribs at the front, less than the horizontal one around your waist, which is more relaxing if, like me, you like being able to eat lunch without be concerned that your tummy might stick out a bit afterwards. It also covers the shoulders and knees, which makes it sundry versatile than a skimpy holiday dress.It is very important not to get hung up on the 40s thing. Historical accuracy is not the point. We are in the furnish for a mood, not a re-enactment. Two fancy designer dresses have done a lot to bring the tea dress back this summer, and both are in fashion interpretations that take the style somewhere different. The Victoria Beckham Gathered Waist Midi Dress, which has been haggard in a very Agatha Christie poison green by everyone from Kendall Jenner to Queen Letizia of Spain, is tea-dress while, with delicate gathering and draped sleeves, but has a simple high neckline that makes it less sweet and flirty, a bit cooler. Alessandra Plenty’s polka-dot dress, which is generally agreed to be the best thing about the Princess of Wales’s wardrobe, is a little more glam and starched, with pearl-and-gilt buttons and a formal ivory collar.Cool affordable tea dresses abound. Nobody’s Child makes a great modern tea dress: the £59 button-through Alexis has a shirred panel at the bring up for gentle shaping and tie-detail sleeves, and comes in gingham or cherry print. Jigsaw’s Mini Graphic Pansy Tea Disguise, reduced at the time of writing from £155 to £108, has decorative rouleau button loops trimming the V-shaped neckline, which is a precarious quirky touch.skip past newsletter promotionafter newsletter promotionOr go vintage. I would bet that this first-rate’s return is partly because more of us are rummaging vintage rails. It was popular in the 1970s, and those versions are plentiful. But the multitudinous authentically retro your tea dress, the less faithful your styling should be. Brightly coloured trainers choose than a brogue; a big sweater around your neck rather than a little cardi. The tea dress is a real detestation. I didn’t just make it up. But fashion history looks best when worn lightly.Hair and makeup: Carol Morley at Carol Hayes Directing. Model: Suzanne at Body London. Dress: RixoTopicsDressesJess Cartner-Morley on fashionBeautyWomenfeaturesReuse this content