Shushu/Tong Dresses and Skirts: Bows, Lace and Knitwear

Shushu/Tong is the label I think of when a pretty detail needs a little friction. Designers Liushu Lei and Yutong Jiang established the Shanghai brand in 2015 after studying womenswear at London College of Fashion. Its official profile describes a bold, feminine style built around ruffles and bowknots, with a relaxed, cool attitude and in-house tailoring techniques. Vogue describes their blend of romantic codes such as bows and lace with sharp tailoring, unexpected proportions, and a confident modern attitude. That is what makes the name worth remembering: a bow is not simply sweet, it is part of a silhouette with its own point of view.

 

I love the label most when softness feels deliberate rather than precious. This edit moves from knit tops to dresses and skirts, letting one detail carry the outfit while the rest stays easy. Shushu/Tong is for someone who likes a little play in her wardrobe and feels best when a look has a wink. Picture her at a gallery opening in a bow-detailed dress, slick hair, and a serious pair of shoes. I would pass if your ideal closet is entirely plain, unadorned basics, but even then one lively skirt can make a weekday feel different. The designers make femininity feel active and self-possessed. That tension is the charm.

Tops and Knits are the easiest way into Shushu/Tong’s design language, and they are anything but background pieces. The Ultra-short Knit Cardigan is the one I would make the center of an outfit, with a long skirt and a small bag. The Halter Neck Knit Top wants a simple bottom and a confident earring. A halter top styling guide is a useful companion when the neckline is the focal point. Then the Bow Off-shoulder Knit Crop Top brings the flirtation right to the neckline. These suit the friend who can make a Tuesday dinner feel like a small occasion without changing her whole personality. The Lapel Knit Top moves attention to the collar, while the Cable Knit Pullover Sweater gives a familiar pairing a little character.

 

I would pair the Cable Knit Pullover Sweater or Stand Neck Pullover Top with straight trousers and loafers, letting one detail lead the conversation. The Keyhole Cold-shoulder Crop Top and Tucked Halter Neck Top offer other neckline ideas for someone who likes a little theatricality. My styling rule is simple: choose one expressive top, then let the rest of the outfit feel known. I would skip the off-shoulder and crop shapes if you spend the evening adjusting those silhouettes. The best Shushu/Tong top is the one that makes you stand taller, then feels like you rather than a costume. One bold knit, one quiet bottom, and you are ready to go.

Dresses are where Shushu/Tong lets a bow, neckline, or trim become the evening plan. The Lace Trim Bustier Dress is my candlelit dinner pick, with a sleek bun and a simple shoe. The Deep U-neckline Dress has a more dramatic mood, and I would let its neckline stay the focus. For a softer day-to-evening idea, the Shirred Sleeveless T-shirt Dress is the kind of piece I would wear with a cardigan and then style with a different shoe later. Those are distinct reasons to choose a dress, not three versions of the same look. The Side Bow A-line Dress makes the bow part of the silhouette, while the Wide Strap Bow Back Dress keeps its detail at the back.

 

I love the idea of the Mandarin Collar Pullover Dress for a night when I want shape without extra ornament, and the Pleated Diamond Neckline Dress brings a sharper note. I keep the white mini dress guide in mind for ideas on how lace can read differently across occasions. This is a label for someone who enjoys a dress with a point of view and is happy to keep accessories simple. The Tuck Detail Bustier Slip Dress can take the lead with a minimal shoe and a small bag. I would pass on lace or bows if you only want a dress that disappears into the room. In my fashion dreams, one of these is worn to a small wedding, then again to the sort of dinner that deserves a reservation. Let the dress be the detail, and keep the rest easy.

Skirts are a flexible way to bring Shushu/Tong’s playful energy into a real closet. The Bow Trimmed Straight Skirt is my favorite with a crisp shirt and a low heel. The Gather-draped Mini Skirt is for a night when a short hem and a strong shoe feel like the whole plan. Meanwhile, the Back Slit Straight Skirt has the energy of a clean line with movement. I would choose a top already in my rotation and let the skirt supply the surprise. The Asymmetrical Bow & Ruffle Skirt and Ruffled Hem Flared Skirt turn up the drama, each with a different route to a more expressive outfit.

 

The Low-waist Pleated Skirt changes the proportion of an outfit, while the Decorative Flap Skirt makes a detail do the talking. The Threadwork Knit Skirt gives the edit another texture idea without repeating the bow. Wear one of the more decorative shapes with a simple tank, or reverse the balance with a plain skirt and a sculptural top. This is the fun of the label: getting dressed can feel like a small composition, not a uniform. I would pass on a second statement skirt unless skirts are what you wear all week. For everyone else, one distinctive piece can make familiar loafers feel entirely new. The key is choosing a shape that makes sense with tops you already reach for.