The tunic dress that looks like art — and has pockets I actually use.

On the artistic gold print and pretty crochet lace that draw compliments, the relaxed cut that skims, the deep pockets hidden in a beautiful dress, 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 Margaret Ellison · Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

Posted September 2026 · 6 min read

I am 63 years old, and for years I had been looking for one easy dress that was genuinely pretty AND had pockets I could use. It is always one or the other, isn't it? The pretty dresses had no pockets at all, and the ones with pockets were shapeless, dull sacks. I had all but given up.

What I wanted was not much. One artful, elegant dress — something with a bit of beauty to it that made me feel like I had taste — that skimmed over my middle instead of clinging, covered my arms, and had real, deep pockets so I could leave the little handbag at home. Beautiful, and practical, at once.

Then a friend of mine turned up in the loveliest cream-and-gold dress, all crochet lace and artful print, and slid her phone straight into a deep pocket. 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 Zinnia, 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.

1A dress that looks like a work of art

We built the Zinnia around an artistic gold marbled print and pretty crochet-lace trim on the neck, cuffs, pockets and hem — the kind of dress that looks like a work of art and has people asking where you found it. Elegant and a little bohemian, and it makes you feel as though you have real taste and an eye.

2A relaxed cut that skims

We cut it in a soft A-line tunic shape, so it skims over your middle instead of clinging or pulling. Comfortable and forgiving, with room to move — and it looks lovely worn as it is, or over slim pants or leggings.

3Deep pockets you'll actually use

We put two large patch pockets right on the front, trimmed in the same pretty crochet lace — real, deep ones for your phone, your keys and your reading glasses, hidden in plain sight in a beautiful dress. Leave the little handbag at home. A real pocket, at our age, is a small love letter.

4Sleeves that cover the upper arm

We gave it a flowing three-quarter balloon sleeve, finished with a crochet-lace cuff, that covers the upper arm and drapes softly to the elbow. Pretty and covered where so many of us would rather be, and cool and airy for a warm afternoon.

5A flattering lace-trimmed neckline

We finished it with a soft split V-neck and a small stand collar edged in crochet lace — an open, flattering neckline that draws the eye up and lengthens, with a pretty handmade-looking detail right at the collar. Elegant, and just a little special.

6Light, breezy, and it fits the body you have

We made it from a light, breezy linen-look fabric and cut it soft and roomy, from a size S to 3XL. Cool and easy to wear, and meant to fit the woman — not make the woman fit the dress.

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

Why they're clearing it now

They priced the Zinnia at $149.95 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 fifty-five 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 first thing I reach for when I want to look artful and effortless at once.

I do not usually write things like this. But I had spent years choosing between a pretty dress and a useful one, and this artful thing with its deep pockets handed me both at once. If that sounds like you, I hope you find your size before it clears.

— Margaret Ellison · Mount Pleasant, SC

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