Online - August 01, 2006

Dress Rehearsal

Heidi Merrick Dresses

Sound the alarm — fifteen minutes earlier tomorrow. An hour is just not enough time for your shower, hair, coffee, makeup, dress, Today show, second cup of coffee routine.

Unless, of course, you’re wearing one of Heidi Merrick’s pretty little day dresses. In that case, sleep in an extra 30.

An effortlessly adorable way to start the day, Merrick’s premiere dresses are handcrafted mainly in her L.A. studio (where she also does by-appointment fittings for the lucky locals). The summer collection of canvas and twill strapless numbers delights in crisp white, delicate plaid, toile, and camouflage prints with accents like unexpected vintage belts.

Come fall, the line will comprise exaggerated ’60s-inspired roll collars, corseted waists, and slinky below-the-knee hemlines cut from crepe wool in dreamy colors like cloud and classic prints like plaid.

Lined in delicate brown, blue, and orange, each frock is deliciously easy to slip into.

Now you just need to figure out a way to slip out of bed without hitting the snooze button.

Available online at heidimerrick.com.