Just One Thing: A White Maxi Dress Is Summer’s Most Romantic Piece—Especially If It’s Dior

By Lilah Ramzi

Photography by Dan Martensen

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Here's a whole new way to say yes to the dress: Wear it beyond the big day–or better yet, no matter the occasion. In a pleated, empire-waist maxi dress of cotton voile and Saint-Gall openwork embroidery by Dior, model Vittoria Ceretti showcases the look's surprising versatility; she's equally and elegantly at ease whether she's playing the bride or hopping on the back of a bike. This is the latest in our series of outfits built around a single (fabulous) piece.

Shop a selection of them here, in our Summer 2023 edition of Just One Thing.

Dior dress (Dior boutiques). Erdem sweater (erdem​.com). Tiffany & Co ring. Fashion Editor: Tabitha Simmons. Photographed by Dan Martensen, Vogue, Summer 2023.

On top of the gossamer-fine Dior dress, Ceretti sports a jumper trimmed with lace from Erdem. She finishes things off with high-low accessories: Adidas Gazelle sneakers and a classic Tiffany-set diamond ring from Tiffany & Co.

Dior dress. Maison Margiela hat, shoes, coat, bag (maison​margiela.com). Photographed by Dan Martensen, Vogue, Summer 2023.

Layered with a leafy trench coat, a Victoriana hat, and a vintage-esque purse by Maison Margiela, Ceretti is a dashing Miss Havisham—with better luck. Her stylish friend, meanwhile, mixes leopard and lace with aplomb.

Sacai trench (kirnazabete.com). Dolce & Gabbana boots. Photographed by Dan Martensen, Vogue, Summer 2023.

No cold feet here—merely a bit of chill, which Ceretti handles with a chic Sacai trench that presents as a pea coat from the front and a cape from the back. Lace-up boots from Dolce & Gabbana give the outfit even more edge.

Isabel Marant pants (saksfifthavenue​.com). Amina Muaddi shoes. Tiffany & Co. cuffs. Photographed by Dan Martensen, Vogue, Summer 2023.

The age-old dilemma of the pocketless dress is solved instantly with the addition of Isabel Marant cargo pants. Amina Muaddi's modern-day Cinderella pumps and Tiffany & Co. cuffs are the final touches.

Versace jacket and sunglasses. (select Versace boutiques). Photographed by Dan Martensen, Vogue, Summer 2023.

Ceretti's dress serves as the foundation for classic moto accessories: a fabulously fringed jacket and sunglasses, both from Versace. It's a look that teeters between just married and just because.

In this story: hair, Cim Mahony; makeup, Lisa Houghton.