Dresses

For a formal or black-tie event, a floor-length maxi or a tailored midi in a rich fabric like satin, velvet or lace is the safe, elegant choice. Darker and jewel tones read dressier, and our formal dresses edit is built for exactly this. Add a heel, a clutch and fine jewellery, and check the invitation for any dress code before you commit.

It comes down to where the hem falls. A mini ends above the knee, a midi lands between the knee and the ankle (usually mid-calf), and a maxi reaches the floor. Minis feel youthful and playful, midis are the versatile everyday-to-event option, and maxis are the most elegant and covered. Your pick depends on the occasion, the season, and how much leg you want to show.

Start with the dress code, then work backwards. Formal or black-tie calls for a longer length and a dressier fabric; a party or cocktail event suits a mini or midi with some sparkle; and a daytime or casual event is happy with an easy print or a relaxed cut. Factor in the season, lighter fabrics for summer, sleeves and deeper tones for winter, and pick a colour you feel confident in. When in doubt, a midi in a flattering shade rarely puts a foot wrong.

Party dressing is all about impact, so this is the moment for gold, sequins, satin or a bold colour. A mini or a bodycon midi keeps things fun and easy to dance in, while a slinky slip or a sparkly number turns up the glamour. Our party dresses edit rounds up the best of them for birthdays, cocktails and every celebration in between.