{"id":12335,"date":"2026-08-29T18:55:14","date_gmt":"2026-08-29T17:55:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sixmignons.com\/?p=12335"},"modified":"2026-08-29T18:56:51","modified_gmt":"2026-08-29T17:56:51","slug":"my-high-neck-low-back-summer-dress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sixmignons.com\/en\/2026\/08\/29\/my-high-neck-low-back-summer-dress\/","title":{"rendered":"My high-neck, low back summer dress"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What can you wear when you have a severe sun allergy on your entire decolletage but it is boiling hot outside? This dress is my answer.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A dress of many constraints<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

My summer was spoilt by a massive sun allergy, which affected my entire decolletage (bright red and very itchy) and lasted two months (until the middle of August). It made me realise that most of the dresses I have sewn over the past few summers are low to very low neck…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

… and created a real challenge to my sewing. This summer has been one of the hottest on record in France, so wearing full-coverage was a no no. But my allergy was made much worse by exposing the area to the sun, so it absolutely had to be kept hidden. After weeks of scratching my head, I went back to Simplicty 8645<\/a> (S8645):<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The pattern is of a vintage top, but knowing my obsession with dresses you know how I used it… I had made it into two dresses already (reviewed here <\/a>and here<\/a>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What about omitting the scarf collar this time, to make it heatwave-friendly?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Third time is the charm<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a bit of an unfair title, as there is nothing wrong with the previous two dresses, on the contrary. They are really pretty, easy to wear and normal summer weather appropriate. But given the scarf neck and the fact they are made from cotton poplin, they are absolutely unwearable in high heat!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So this time I chose a cotton voile fabric (my favourite ever for high temperature), I replaced the scarf neck by a matching fabric cord, and there we go!<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The bodice is lined with plain blue cotton voile to finish all exposed seams nicely, but the skirt is just an unlined gathered rectangle (240 x 100cm), to keep things light and easy. I am not a big fan of gathered skirts but it works well here, as the gathers somewhat compensate the slightly see-through nature of the fabric.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

In summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n