Located between the southern California behemoths Los Angeles and San Diego, it is hard to believe that a town like Encinitas still exists. Encinitas, a small coastal town boasting to be the “flower capital of the world,” reminds me of a living time capsule of a different kind of California, when houses, cars and egos were smaller and living in the moment loomed larger. With respect to the Endless Summer lifestyle and “flower capital” moniker, the Sunshine Dress Encinitas features easy-breezy summertime styling and petal-shaped gores.

Encinitas is comprised of a simple peasant top and a two-layer, six-gore skirt. The eye-catching details include the wavy hemline and the optional slits between the bodice and the puffed sleeves. The pattern pieces offer the opportunity to create a tunic, a tank top tunic and/or an apron skirt. The instructions below are just one method for assembling Encinitas; please use your preferred methods and techniques.