Porcelain: Design Inspiration and Size Guide
There is something about white cotton in the Australian summer that feels both innocent and charged - a feeling immortalised in Picnic at Hanging Rock, where dresses drift through heat-haze and stillness as though they belong to another time entirely.
Porcelain was born from that atmosphere. Our designer looked to turn-of-the-century picnic dressing - white cotton gowns created for heat, movement, and propriety, worn outdoors in landscapes that felt vast and ancient. These ideas were reimagined through a modern Kitten D’Amour lens. Lace is softened. Structure is relaxed. Detailed bodices recall careful craftsmanship, while flowing skirts allow for ease and breathability. Tiny black ribbon details act as quiet contrast - a whisper against the purity of white.
The result is a collection that feels delicate, and composed. Dresses that belong in the sunshine.
The Film That Lingers
There are some films you watch once, and others that never quite leave you. Picnic at Hanging Rock drifts rather than explains - all heat-haze and stillness, where white dresses move through the landscape like apparitions in plain sight. What stays with you is not the story itself, but the mood: the sense that time has slowed, that the air has thickened, that something unspoken is present just beyond the frame.
The clothing plays a quiet but vital role.
Edwardian white cotton dresses, trimmed with lace and ribbon, speak of discipline, innocence, and restraint. Worn against a vast and ancient landscape, they feel almost fragile - as though order itself is being gently tested.
Porcelain does not recreate the film, nor does it costume it. Instead, it borrows its atmosphere - that feeling of beauty edged with unease, of softness placed somewhere it does not entirely belong.
A Moment in Fashion - Women’s Edwardian Dress
At the turn of the 20th century, women’s fashion was in a moment of transition. Edwardian dress favoured lightness and refinement: white cottons for daywear, high necklines softened by lace, and long skirts designed to skim rather than cling.
Picnic attire, in particular, was thoughtfully considered. Dresses needed to be breathable and washable, yet still impeccably feminine. Pintucks added structure without weight. Lace offered decoration without heaviness. Ribbons marked the waist, neckline, or sleeve - small details that spoke volumes.
"The costumes for picnics, excursions, journeys, and the sea-side should be of a strong fabric, simple cut, and plain colour."
https://www.edwardianpromenade.com
Porcelain draws directly from this tradition. These are pieces that honour craftsmanship and femininity while allowing modern movement and comfort - clothing that feels intentional, expressive, and quietly beautiful.
Porcelain and Denim: The Perfect Pairing
While Porcelain is rooted in Edwardian romance, it was always designed to live very much in the present - and there’s nothing more modern, or more Australian, than pairing soft white cotton with lived-in denim.
The Porcelain smock top and blouse are especially beautiful worn back with the Monterey Denim Shorts, their lace and pintucking offset by the casual structure of denim. The contrast feels effortless and sun-ready - the kind of outfit you throw on for a warm afternoon that turns into evening without warning.
The Casino Follies Ruffle Singlet pairs just as beautifully with the Monterey denim, bringing a playful femininity to a relaxed look. Tucked into the Porcelain full skirt, it creates a soft, romantic silhouette that feels light, modern, and wonderfully wearable.
It’s this balance - Edwardian detail with contemporary ease - that makes Porcelain so special. Pieces that nod to the past, yet feel entirely at home in the now.
A Soft Pause… Before We Talk Fit
Even the lightest dress must sit just right.
Our Kittens have each stepped into Porcelain to share how the pieces fit, move, and fall on the body - offering practical guidance grounded in real wear. Consider their notes a gentle guide, helping you find the size that feels effortless, comfortable, and entirely your own.
Follow their guidance, Kitten…Your perfect fit is waiting!
Kerryn Kitten
Measurements: BUST 93CM, WAIST 70CM, HIP 104CM, HEIGHT 169CM
Porcelain Maxi Dress – size 8:
I truly adore this dress. In fact, I wafted everywhere in it. One simply must. It is beautifully light, with a delicate cotton that feels effortless against the skin. I love the ties at the back, allowing you to cinch the fit just so, and the included underslip adds a touch of modesty. The fit is true to size with no stretch, though the adjustable tie ensures a precise and flattering silhouette.
Porcelain Smock Top – size Small:
This top is everything. So summery, and utterly charming with denim shorts or jeans. It’s cool, non-clingy, and drifts softly as you move. True to size and wonderfully forgiving through the waist and tummy thanks to its easy, floaty design.
Porcelain Blouse with Singlet – size 8:
A looser fit, which I happily embraced. In the height of summer, I prefer nothing to cling, and this blouse delivers comfort without sacrificing elegance. A classic design that pairs beautifully with so many other pieces, perfect for both relaxed weekends and polished workdays.
Porcelain Full Skirt – size 10:
This one is a little snug through the waistband, which has no stretch at all. Although I’ve recently been wearing a size 8, I would definitely size up to a 10 in this skirt. Entirely worth it though. Fresh, girlish, and full of summer charm, it is the perfect white summer skirt.
Porcelain Dress – size 8:
What a dress! My favourite of the collection, and one I will certainly be adding to my wardrobe. I adore the ties at the shoulders, which prevent any strap slippage and add such a sweet detail. I couldn’t resist pinning a cameo to the bow. This collection simply begs for a black-and-white cameo moment.
Mandie Kitten
Measurements: BUST: 101CM, WAIST: 76CM, HIP:108CM, HEIGHT: 168CM
Porcelain Dress – size 10:
This one fits like a dream. I adore the style and the light, airy feel that runs through the Porcelain collection. It feels effortless to wear, with that unmistakable sense of easy elegance.
Porcelain Blouse with Singlet – size 8:
I found this blouse to be a looser fit, and as I prefer my tops more fitted, I chose to size down. It pairs beautifully with the Mermaid Wiggle Skirt for a classic, polished office look that still feels soft and feminine.
Porcelain Full Skirt – size 12:
With little stretch in the waistband, I decided to size up for comfort. The result is a lovely fit through the waist, with beautiful movement.
Porcelain Maxi Dress – size 10:
True to size, with a great length. I absolutely adore the lightweight, whimsical feel of this design. It floats as you move and captures that romantic, feminine spirit that Porcelain does so well.
Anastasia Kitten
Measurements: BUST 98CM, WAIST 78CM, HIP 106CM, HEIGHT 170CM
Porcelain Maxi Dress – size 12
I chose a size 12 in this design. As it’s crafted from lovely cotton, there is very little stretch, however the ribbon tied at the back allows you to cinch the fit beautifully and create a softly defined silhouette. The length is just gorgeous, giving the dress an elegant, flowing line. I loved pairing it with a hat for the sweetest picnic-ready look - effortless, feminine, and perfect for long summer days.
Sarah Kitten
Measurements: BUST 88CM, WAIST 66CM, HIP 96CM, HEIGHT 170CM
Porcelain Full Dress – Size 6:
I chose to size down for a more snug, sculpted fit, and I loved the result, however my regular size 6 gave me room to move. The fabric is divine and the lace is absolutely gorgeous. I styled it with one petticoat, which gave it just the right amount of shape and drama.
Porcelain Blouse with Singlet – Size 4:
I sized down from my usual 6 for a firmer fit. I love that this blouse has an accompanying singlet, which makes it comfortable and easy to wear, while still feeling secure and polished.
Porcelain Full Skirt – Size 6:
True to my usual size, with a lovely fit through the waist. The lace detail is beautiful, and honestly, wearing this skirt makes me feel like I should be strolling across a countryside bridge somewhere romantic. I absolutely love it.
Porcelain Maxi Dress – Size 6:
I stayed with my usual size in this design. The underslip was a little snug but still very comfortable, and the outer fabric is wonderfully light and floaty. A beautiful, easy summer maxi.
Monterey Denim Shorts (white) – Size 6
True to size with the perfect amount of stretch. These are such a versatile piece and feel great to wear, flattering and comfortable all at once.
Le Chat Noir T-Shirt (black) – Size S:
I chose a size small for a snug fit. The fabric is stretchy, soft, and very comfortable, making it an easy wardrobe staple.
Adrienne Kitten
Measurements: BUST 108CM, WAIST 88CM, HIP 118CM, HEIGHT 169CM
Porcelain Maxi Dress – Size 12:
Such a sweet design, and a perfect choice for summer days. The bodice is beautifully shaped, with a whisper of black ribbon at the waist in an empire-style cut that softly cinches and defines the waist. The fit feels gentle, flattering, and effortless to wear.
Porcelain Blouse with Singlet – Size 12
A truly classic piece, and one that lends itself to so many lovely outfit combinations. I found it a little roomy across the chest near the sleeves, but I loved that it never felt restrictive. An easy, comfortable fit with a beautifully soft drape.
Porcelain Full Skirt – Size 14:
Whimsical and delightful, this is a skirt made for movement and twirling. The waistband is slightly firmer, so if you’re between sizes or prefer a little more ease at the waist, you may wish to consider sizing up, like I have here.
Ohh a dream in white lace and whispers of airy silk cotton, Porcelain you are to be adored and celebrated in the sun! 🍰🤍
So feminine… lovely!
Am I looking at the beauties from Edouard Manet’s “The Balcony” staring blissfully off in the distance caught up in their dreamy thoughts? The sweet white prim and proper dresses are so similar and equally romantic!!
The elegance of white with a little back bow. Timeless and mystical all at once! A collection perfect for all, and especially for QLD summer!
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