4.5 ★Earthy OrangeVelvet maxi dress
The catalogue flagship: a short-sleeve V-neck velvet maxi carried in seven colourways.
Fabric: Velvet

$39.99
Check price & buyShorter than the rest of this group: the hem sits above the knee despite the category it lands in. Eyelet cotton with hollow-out detail, lace at the sleeves and again in the tiers of the skirt, a V neck, and an elastic waist doing the fitting. It comes lined, which eyelet needs, and it has pockets. One blue colourway, and enough reviews behind it to call the shape proven.
In stock at our retail partner at the last catalogue check.
The openwork runs through the body of the dress and the hem is built in tiers of lace. That is two kinds of texture on one garment, and it is what keeps a plain blue sundress from looking like a plain blue sundress.
Openwork fabric needs something behind it, and the maker confirms a lining. That is also what makes the above-knee length workable in daylight, at a brunch or a graduation, without hunting for a slip to wear under it.
The waist gathers on elastic rather than a tie or a fastening, so the dress pulls on. Pockets sit in the skirt. Between the two, it is built for a long outdoor afternoon more than for a seated dinner.
The one short dress in a line-up of floor length, and it behaves accordingly.
An elastic waist with a relaxed A-line below it, and flutter sleeves at the shoulder. The size run covers S to XL, or US 4-6 up to 16-18. The hem lands above the knee, so length is the thing to check before anything else.
4.5 ★Earthy OrangeThe catalogue flagship: a short-sleeve V-neck velvet maxi carried in seven colourways.
Fabric: Velvet
4.3 ★Lake BlueLined chiffon with a fully smocked top and flutter sleeves, in lake blue, pink and a navy leaf print.
Fabric: Chiffon
4.2 ★Navy Blue 2Polyester chiffon in a vintage floral, with flutter sleeves and a smocked waist, cut to long midi.
Fabric: Chiffon
4.4 ★Navy FloralNavy, dusty blue or a yellow and dark green print, with a smocked waist, puff sleeves and pockets.