The Dress Guide: Chic Styles For Every Occasion

With an abundance of evening events undoubtedly on your horizon, there are plenty of excuses to add a new dress or two to your collection. This season is all about lustrous satins and rich velvets that will pack a punch after dark – but there’s always room for a little embellishment, too.

The LVD (little velvet dress) is the winter upgrade you can always rely on. Much like the little black dress coined by Coco Chanel, it’s timeless, versatile and incredibly chic. Everyone from Alaïa to Emilia Wickstead and Ralph Lauren Collection has a take on this soft and sensual texture, but Khaite’s ‘Valetta’ mini is especially alluring with its contrasting ruffled hem.

For a sophisticated soirée or the office holiday party, you can’t go wrong with a satin or silk dress. A slinky style like Kallmeyer’s ‘Rayna’ midi is easy to slip on over sheer tights for a one-and-done outfit that needs little styling. Simply add a great pair of heels, drop earrings and an elegant evening jacket to complete the look.

If you don’t already have a dress that you can wear from 9am at the office to a 6pm dinner reservation and beyond, now is the time to update your wardrobe. With November and December being some of the busiest months for social gatherings, you’ll need a weekday outfit that can effortlessly transition from desk to dinner with just a few simple accessory swaps.

Minimalist, knitted styles are this season’s most versatile must-have. Both Toteme’s turtleneck midi and Heirlome’s ‘Mercedes’ maxi would look just as stylish paired with ballet flats and a waist-defining belt during the day, as they would with heeled boots, chandelier earrings and a pony-hair clutch come evening. But the main appeal of a knitted dress lies in its cozy, comforting fabric that feels like being wrapped in swathes of cashmere or wool on even the coldest days.

Alternatively, a printed dress is always an excellent day-to-night option. For the maximalist, there’s Gucci’s yellow silk take on the classic shirt dress, which has been reimagined in one of its iconic equestrian prints. Meanwhile, Dôen delivers a refined paisley pattern that you can take just about anywhere.

When packing for a winter-sun escape, dresses need to offer versatility to earn their space in your suitcase. Consider easy cotton styles or floaty midis that drift effortlessly from beach to bar, as well as designs that can double as a cover-up for when you’re lounging by the pool.

Designers that specialize in resortwear should be your first port of call: Matteau, Pucci and Zimmermann. The former’s polka-dot dress is an enduring favorite, while the latter’s ‘Clash’ style has been crafted for the new season with chic cotton-poplin stripes. Elsewhere, Pucci’s kaleidoscopic pink and white piece pairs perfectly with shell-shaped jewelry and jelly shoes for dinner by the sea.

Lastly, no vacation lineup is complete without Missoni. Our exclusive one-shoulder metallic maxi was designed for the festive season, but will look just as stunning in beachfront photographs at sunset.