I grabbed this Needle & Thread dress off the sale rack at Neiman Marcus here in Chicago this past summer. I had seen the brand here and there but never really paid much attention to it. I love feminine pieces but I always look for an edge and truth be told, I thought Needle & Thread looked kind of bridesmaid.

There is, in fact, a dedicated bridesmaid collection.

But while many of the dresses would indeed make for a lovely wedding frock—bridesmaid or otherwise—I saw a lot more up close and in person. I now understand why the brand is a go-to for lots of different occasions.

The detail is quite extraordinary, especially given the price point. There’s embroidery, sequins, tulle, lace, ruffles—all the things that make happy. There’s a vintage feel that provides interest. It’s a kind of pretty that feels modern for looking slightly old-fashioned if you know what I mean. The pieces look like they are handmade in an exotic land (the garments are in fact made in India).

The dress I’m wearing here also fit like a glove (most pieces have a relaxed and flattering silouhette) and it was super comfortable. I left for Rome a couple of days after the sale with the dress in hand.

I first wore it for dinner in Rome with these Roger Vivier sandals that I picked up at the same sale (and which I waited two years to find on sale). It was the perfect summer travel outfit: breezy and comfortable and pretty. I had lots of compliments walking the cobblestone streets of Rome. My friend Ashley shot me in it as only she can (I do not have an Instagram husband) on one of our pretty streets here in Chicago.

I have since been tracking the brand and have spied many pretty pieces—have a look. When the pieces go on sale, they are quite the bargain for such loveliness.

Shot by Ashley of Sed Bona.