The embroidered linen dress that looks like a treasure from a Mediterranean market.

On the ornate embroidery that draws compliments, the cool breathable linen, the relaxed cut that skims, and the sleeves that cover the arms. Why a small South Carolina family made it this way, and why they're clearing it now.

By Sandra Thompson · Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

Posted September 2026 · 6 min read

I am 63 years old, and I had spent years choosing between comfortable and beautiful. My comfortable dresses were shapeless, hot and plain. My beautiful ones were stiff, clingy and made for standing still. And in the warm months it was worse — the pretty things did not breathe, and the breathable things had no beauty to them at all.

What I wanted was one dress that was genuinely special — something with real artistry, that looked like a treasure from my travels — that stayed cool, skimmed over my middle instead of clinging, and covered my arms. Beautiful, and comfortable, at once.

Then a friend of mine came round in the most beautiful sage-green embroidered dress, like something from a little Mediterranean market, looking artistic and cool and completely at ease. I asked her where on earth she found it. She laughed and told me to read the Clarke family's letter first.

The Clarke family runs a small boutique here in South Carolina, family-run since 1986 — three generations, mother to daughter. The dress is called the Elena, and their letter walks through the handful of things they refused to compromise on. I am going to let their words carry it, because they say it better than I could.

1Ornate embroidery, like a treasure from your travels

We built the Elena around ornate Mediterranean embroidery — swirling purple and taupe motifs at the yoke, down the sleeves and around the hem — the kind of artful, hand-made-looking detail you would expect to find in a little market abroad. It looks like a treasure, and it has people asking where on earth you found it.

2A relaxed cut that skims

We cut it loose and flowing, in an easy kaftan-style maxi, so it skims right over your middle and hips instead of clinging anywhere. Wonderfully forgiving and comfortable, with room to move — and it still looks elegant and considered.

3Sleeves that cover the arms

We gave it a long, wide balloon sleeve, embroidered down its length, that covers the arm with a soft, graceful drape. Your arms stay covered and elegant, and the loose cut keeps it cool — covered comfort, without a bit of heat.

4Cool, breathable linen

We made it from a natural, breathable linen that stays cool against the skin and only softens with wear — not the hot, clingy fabrics so many dresses are made of now. It breathes on a warm day, and it feels as lovely as it looks.

5One beautiful piece you just step into

We made the Elena to be a whole outfit on its own — you simply slip it over your head and you are done, looking artful and elegant with no fuss and nothing to plan. Add your sandals and a few gold bangles, and off you go.

6Three colors, and it fits the body you have

We make the Elena in three beautiful colorways — a soft sage green, a cool blue, and a warm cream — and from a size S to 3XL, cut loose and flowing. It is meant to fit the woman — not make the woman fit the dress.

The Elena, against the dresses you've been settling for

Why they're clearing it now

They priced the Elena at $179.95 when it launched, and it sold at that price all season. But for America's 250th, the Clarke family wanted to give something back to the women who have kept their doors open since 1986 — so every one is going out at under sixty dollars.

I ordered mine that evening. It arrived a few days later in a kraft-paper parcel with a short handwritten note from the family. It has become the dress I reach for whenever I want to look artful and feel cool and comfortable at once.

I do not usually write things like this. But beautiful and comfortable had stopped coming in the same dress for me, and this one artful, breezy linen dress handed me both at once. If that sounds like you, I hope you find your size before it clears.

— Sandra Thompson · Mount Pleasant, SC

This is a personal account from a Clarke Family customer. Sandra was not paid to write it. · The Clarke Family · Family Fashion · South Carolina, since 1986 · Free UPS shipping · 30-day money-back guarantee.