Meet Penn
Finding a summer dress that looks polished, yet feels comfy and effortless, is no easy feat. If your search is coming up empty, consider relying on the three F’s of summer dressing – fit, fabric and feel. First, there’s the fit to consider. If the Victorians taught us anything, it’s that in sauna-like summer climates, you never want to be too tightly constrained (unless there’s a fainting couch nearby). Think form flattering, not tight. Second, you’ll want to choose a breathable, organic fabric to maximize ventilation. No one wants to see perspiration peeping through a dress before the appetizers arrive. And lastly, how does the dress make you feel? If the answer is happy, pretty and chic then you’re on the right track.
While on the hunt for such a dress for myself, I encountered a 4th F that deserves mention – flounce. The bestselling Flounce dress by Sue Sartor is everything a summer dress should be. It feels feminine and modern, yet cozy and versatile. I recently called up the store to chat with Diane Raymond (Sue’s niece and showroom manager) to hear more about Sue and discover how she put the F in flounce.
Tell us about the Sue Sartor brand? The brand is about creating clothing for women that is easy and versatile, yet polished. We want our customers to feel confident, comfortable and happy. There is truly a style for everybody and in most cases one that can go seamlessly from day to night!
What is the connection to New Orleans? Sue grew up in the northeast but met her husband (from Monroe, La where she resides today) while on a brief trip to visit Tulane University. They didn’t get together until later, but attending Tulane started another long love affair, with the south itself. She calls storefront neighbors and fellow Tulane alumni Melissa Rufty and Jane Scott Hodges lifelong friends. Sue says of New Orleans, “What a great place to be inspired and create.”
Where can we find your items? We are primarily a direct-to-consumer brand, but we also have a showroom in New Orleans (right next to Leontine Linens on Magazine Street). We also recently collaborated with Anthropologie on a collection which you can buy on their website in regular, petite and plus sizes.
What are the most popular items? The first big seller was the long-sleeved Flounce dress. It is flowy like a caftan but cut in a modern, flattering way. We now have a sleeveless version that is perfect for summer in the south. The beach caftans are also a big hit for summer. As far as patterns go, the Marigold print goes quickly in any style.
What’s next? We’ll be doing a pop up in Nantucket in August as well as debuting a men’s cabana style shirt in cotton.
3806 Magazine St., #2 | suesartor.com