The Art of the Bias Cut: Why Our Dresses Feel Like a Second Skin

There’s something quietly powerful about slipping into a dress that feels like it was made just for you. At One Addington, that feeling isn’t accidental, it’s the result of a centuries-old technique that has become one of our signatures: the bias cut.

What is a Bias Cut?

In traditional dressmaking, patterns are typically cut along the straight grain of the fabric, either lengthwise or crosswise. But a bias cut turns this on its head, quite literally. It involves cutting the fabric at a 45-degree angle across the grain. This diagonal direction has natural stretch and fluidity, allowing the fabric to drape in a way that hugs and moves with the body, rather than against it.

Why Does Bias Matter?

The bias cut was made iconic in the 1930s by designers like Madeleine Vionnet, who used it to create ethereal gowns that seemed to float around the wearer. Unlike structured tailoring, bias-cut garments don’t rely on stiff seams or heavy shaping to create form. Instead, they skim the body’s curves, naturally enhancing the silhouette with softness, elegance, and ease.

This is why our gowns feel so special to wear. They mould to your shape without clinging too tightly, fall beautifully to the floor, and seem to ripple like water when you walk. It’s not just flattering, it’s transformative.

Why is Bias Cutting a Skill?

Producing a bias-cut dress is not easy. Fabric cut on the bias behaves very differently than fabric cut along the grain, it stretches, warps, and shifts, both on the cutting table and under the needle. It takes a skilled maker to know how to handle the fabric delicately, allow it to settle before sewing, and understand how it will behave once worn.

It also means we cannot mass-produce these dresses quickly or carelessly. Each piece must be cut and sewn with precision, often by hand, with an intimate understanding of how the fabric will react. The beauty is in the detail, and the patience.

A Dress That Feels as Special as the Moment

At One Addington, every dress is cut in small batches or made to order, with love, time, and craftsmanship behind each one. When you wear one of our bias-cut gowns, you’re not just wearing a beautiful dress, you’re wearing a piece of artistry, a legacy of skill, and something truly considered.

It’s a dress that doesn’t just look good, it feels extraordinary.