The striped dress that gives me a waist again — and looks like money.

On the elegant vertical stripe that elongates, the belt that defines the waist, 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 made a quiet peace with losing my waist. My dresses had become two kinds: shapeless sacks that hid everything and gave me the figure of a pillowcase, or tight, clingy things that showed every single thing I would rather they didn't. There seemed to be no in-between.

What I wanted was one elegant dress that gave me a shape again — a defined waist — without clinging anywhere I didn't want it to, that covered my arms, and looked far more expensive than I could spend. Flattering, and comfortable, at once.

Then a friend of mine came to lunch in the most elegant striped dress, belted at the waist, looking tall and slim and expensive. 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 Sienna, 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.

1An elegant stripe that looks expensive

We built the Sienna around a fine vertical stripe in soft khaki and cream — the kind of quiet, elegant stripe that looks like it came from an expensive boutique. And because the stripe runs up and down, it lengthens the whole line of you, so you look taller and slimmer just standing there.

2A belt that gives you a waist

We gave it a wide matching belt that cinches it in at the waist — so instead of hanging like a sack, it nips in where you want it and skims where you don't. A defined waist, an elegant shape, and no tight fabric anywhere. The belt is included, of course.

3A relaxed cut that skims

We cut the bodice softly blousy and the midi skirt full and flowing, so below the belt it skims right over your hips and middle instead of clinging. Shapely at the waist, forgiving everywhere else — the most flattering of both worlds.

4Sleeves that cover the arms

We gave it a long, softly gathered bishop sleeve that covers the arm all the way to a cuff at the wrist. Your arms stay covered and elegant, with a graceful, billowy line — covered comfort, right to the wrist.

5An easy shirt-dress you just step into

We made it as an easy shirt-dress — a neat collar and a soft button placket — so you step into it, buckle the belt, and you have a whole considered outfit. Nothing to plan, nothing to fuss over; it looks put-together the moment it is on.

6Three colors, and it fits the body you have

We make the Sienna in three elegant colorways — a warm khaki, a soft gray, and a cool blue — and from a size S to XXL, cut to skim and flatter. It is meant to fit the woman — not make the woman fit the dress.

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

Why they're clearing it now

They priced the Sienna at $194.95 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 eighty 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 elegant and feel like myself.

I do not usually write things like this. But I had quietly given up on having a waist, and this one elegant striped dress handed it back and made me feel expensive doing it. 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.