

Emerging · $200-$400 · Sydney, Australia

One-of-one garments cut from reclaimed linens and vintage lace, where imperfection is the entire point.
Think: vintage textiles, modern shapes
Dear Rome turns vintage tablecloths, doilies and lace into one-of-a-kind dresses and sets, so you wear decades of handwork that nobody else owns.
Each one-of-one is pieced together by hand in Sydney from reclaimed linens, embroidered tablecloths, crochet doilies and deadstock lace, then cut into easy halter sets, wrap skirts and open-backed dresses that tie to fit. The embroidery and scalloped edges of the original cloth stay in view, and small irregularities are part of the charm. Made-to-order lace and eyelet pieces and a small ready-to-wear run carry the same romantic mood.
Nothing from Dear Rome is on the site at the moment. We watch their sales and new collections — when one lands it shows up in Drops.
Dear Rome began at a sewing machine in Sydney during its founder's maternity leave, with a linen cupboard of old tablecloths as the first source of fabric.
It became known for one-of-one pieces made from reclaimed linens, doilies and vintage lace, where the marks of the original cloth are part of the design, and grew to include made-to-order and small-batch lines.
From reviews and try-on videos, in our words.
Sizes are Australian, 6 to 16, and the brand says a US 6 is an AU 10. The ready-to-wear runs true to size with no stretch, while one-of-ones tie to fit and list the sizes each suits; some work best on a smaller bust.
US orders ship free over US$200, and every US order arrives with duties and taxes prepaid, so nothing is due on delivery. Allow about 10 to 18 business days by post from Sydney.
Only the Villa Dear Rome ready-to-wear takes change-of-mind returns, within 14 days and at your postage cost. Made For You pieces are final sale, and one-of-ones get store credit only.
Made For You pieces are cut in your size in Sydney and take one to two weeks before they ship.
Care depends on the piece: the lace ready-to-wear dress is dry clean only, the crochet top is a cold hand wash, and vintage one-of-ones may carry small marks from their past life.
Dear Rome doesn't list fiber content, like “100% silk”, on most of its product pages, so we can't say what its pieces are made of. We checked 50 pieces in October 2026.

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