Campari-Red Afternoons

Valentina Scarlet at the water's edge in late light
From the Me + Lia Journal
Campari-Red Afternoons
Five reasons Valentina earns her place. — Melina, founder

Most of my wardrobe is quiet. Valentina is not, and that is the point. I started Me + Lia because I was tired of dresses that looked lovely on a screen and felt cheap in my hands — here is what makes this red one different.

One
The Fabric Is the Whole Dress

Most dresses under $60 are plastic. Polyester traps heat, pills fast, and lands in a donation bin by fall.

Valentina is crafted from 100% premium cotton, woven with a fine white stripe through the red. It breathes on a hot afternoon. It softens with every wash. And the colour is better in person than any photo manages.

The fine white pinstripe and elasticated shirring on Valentina Scarlet, up close
The stripe and the shirring, up close. No filters needed.
Two
One Good Dress Beats Five Cheap Ones

A slow wardrobe means fewer pieces, worn often, loved longer. Our customers buy one dress and reach for it every week.

The math agrees. A $148 dress worn a hundred times costs less per wear than a $40 dress worn twice.

Valentina Scarlet at the red cliffs, skirt in motion

“Valentina came from a long-awaited trip to the Amalfi Coast in late summer. Red geraniums in terracotta pots, striped umbrellas by the sea, Campari-red afternoons that drift into dinner. I wanted that Italian feeling of beauty made for an ordinary day.”

— Melina, on Valentina
Three
You Should Know What You Are Paying For

Fashion hides its numbers. We would rather show you ours.

Premium cotton, thread + trims$29
Design, sampling + fit testing$6
Cutting and sewing, paid fairly$26
Shipping it across the world to your door$18
Keeping a small brand running$8
The true cost of Valentina$87

That's less than double what she costs us to make. A typical fashion label marks up seven to eight times cost — at that math, Valentina would be more than a $550 dress. She's $148. What's left covers the promises we make, 30-day try-ons and free returns among them, and keeps us designing slowly.

Valentina Scarlet
Valentina Scarlet
$148 — your $20 credit comes off at checkout
Shop Now
Four
Fit You Do Not Have to Guess At

Every dress carries a plain fit note and the model’s real measurements. And with our new Find My Size feature, three quick questions on the product page pick your size for you. If it still is not right, returns are free, with a pre-paid label.

The flowing skirt and deep side pockets on Valentina Scarlet The elasticated bodice at the back of Valentina Scarlet
The skirt, the shirred back, and yes — deep pockets.
Valentina: runs slightly small, so take the next size up. Model is 5'9" and wears a size S. Thin straps, no zip, and an elasticated waist that does the rest.
Five
The First Piece Promise

Trying a new brand is a risk. So we carry it for you.

Your first piece, $20 off at checkout
FIRSTPIECE20

Tap through from this page and the credit is already waiting — you will see it come off at checkout. Wear it for 30 days. If it is not the one, return it free with our pre-paid label. And the matching scrunchie that comes with your first piece? Keep it.

New this season

Valentina has not been reviewed yet — she is one of our newest pieces. So the 30 days, the free returns and the pre-paid label do the talking instead.

Valentina Scarlet full length
Valentina Scarlet
$148 — your $20 credit comes off at checkout
Crafted from 100% premium cotton. Made in small batches.
Shop Now

Free shipping across the US, usually within 2 days, with fast, free returns.

Me + Lia Thoughtful pieces in natural fabrics, designed slowly, worn often.
Shop Valentina · $148 · free shipping