We tried Damson Madder, the internet's new favorite maximalist brand — and it's as fun as it looks

Business Insider

5 hours ago

If you're bored of the unadorned silk dresses and plain white linen sets that supposedly whisper wealth and status, then you're not alone. Restrained dressing under the guise of trends like quiet luxury and East Coast summer has produced stifling guidance against bold silhouettes, loud colors, and quirky accessories. But Damson Madder embraces joyful maximalism in all of its bright-hued, polka-dotted, youthful glory.
The London-based brand takes up the mantle of similarly wacky brands like Lisa Says Gah and Rachel Antoff. But Damson Madder takes it to the next level with their one-of-a-kind accessories like a library of gilets, bright oversized scrunchies with ribbons hanging down that can be braided into your hair, and patterned head scarves.
We're also huge fans of their convertible styles, which have delightful innovations like removable puff sleeves and collars that can be detached.
After seeing the brand all over Instagram, we decided to try the affordable new it-girl brand for ourselves.
Fleur Shirred Mini Dress
This dress is wonderfully quirky, with a trendy drop waist and a print that looks like a label of a fizzy Italian orange soda. When I first showed my fellow editor Gabrielle my planned outfit — this dress and the hat to match — she delightfully exclaimed that it looked like a chic baby outfit. We joked that Damson Madder is like Lisa Says Gah meets Baby Gap, and it turns out that it's a pretty fitting description.
I loved the playfulness of the Fleur Shirred Mini Dress. It's also made of 100% organic cotton, which is blessedly common as far as Damson Madder textiles go. The only thing that I had a slight issue with was the decorative gaps at the front. I have a larger bust so it's not possible for me to go braless and you could definitely see my nude bra through the openings. This also made it impossible for me to convert it to a strapless dress, though the straps are removable.
The bucket hat was also a fun accessory that definitely leans into the chic baby vibe. It's no longer available on the website, but there are lots of other options for matchy-matchy accessorizing.
Fan Fan Midi Dress
"I had doubts about how I'd feel wearing the Fan Fan Midi Dress. I avoid all-white outfits because I don't trust myself not to spill, and because of a Girls episode where Ray tells Hannah, 'You're wearing a white dress. You're essentially begging the world to mess with you.'
And yet everywhere I went, it only attracted good energy. I sat at a park in Brooklyn where two stylish strangers complimented me in it. The 100% cotton dress is remarkable because of its convertible design and detailed floral embroidery around the skirt. The frilled Peter Pan collar can be untied and taken off, so it's left as a strapless dress.
However, it doesn't stay up around my 34B cups very well sans straps, so I tied the front ribbon into a halter neck. Not a very comfortable maneuver given the weight of the dress, but it worked.
The bodice runs small. If you have a large bust or wide ribcage, definitely size up. There's a small lace window beneath the bust, which allows air to flow in, but where a bra would certainly show.
My biggest concern, though, is the hardware around its side seam closure. The hook and eye clasp was only hanging on by a few threads when I received the dress, and the zipper feels flimsy and gets jammed easily.
These details, while regrettable considering the price, can be fixed. And with some ballet flats and a little handbag, this dress has me feeling ready for an English garden party." — Gabrielle Chase, senior associate style editor, Insider Reviews
Sita Multiway Midi Dress
The Sita Multiway Midi dress, one of the brand's bestselling items, has puff sleeves that can be removed. They connect to the dress via strings that hang down no matter what. This might annoy some people, but I felt like the loose ribbons added to the vibe.
Is this dress cute? Absolutely. But is it the perfect summer dress? Not really. Damson Madder is committed to sustainability, so their materials are always responsibly sourced and often recycled. The Sita dress is made of recycled polyester that holds it's shape well, but sacrifices breathability. I was a little surprised to feel how stiff the polyester was and quickly ruled this piece out as an August wedding guest dress, because I know that the fabric will trap heat.
But that being said, I really do appreciate the silhouette of the Sita Multiway Midi Dress. It's hard to find an affordable brand that is doing something new and innovative, so the removable puff sleeves were a refreshing style touch in a sea of sameness.
How to shop from Damson Madder
Size up if you have a larger chest. We've noticed that the dresses tend to be tight in the bust area, so people with D-cups and up should size up.
Avoid the recycled polyester in the summer months. There's sometimes a place for supportive, shape-holding textiles — but the heat of summer isn't it. Stick to the brand's 100% cotton pieces.
Search the accessories section for unique pieces. If you're already committed to buying a dress or a set, you might be able to find scrunchies, scarves, and even purses made from the exact same print.
Really think about what undergarments you'll need. Lots of pieces have decorative gaps and peekaboos, which often make wearing bras hard. Check out our guide to the best nipple covers if you need a quick solution.
Shop all Damson Madder women's clothing here.