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

$59.99
Check price & buyMost of the velvet dresses in the catalogue flare away from the waist; this maxi does the opposite and follows the body from the cowl neck down, with gathers along the side and a slit at the back so the stride is not shortened. The fabric is a stretchy burnout floral velvet mesh over a full lining, so the floral shows as texture and no slip is needed. Three colourways, black gold, wine red and brown, each with the pattern worked into the ground rather than printed on it.
In stock at our retail partner at the last catalogue check.
A cowl neck brings soft folds to the front without the structure of a collar or the exposure of a plunge. Paired with a sleeveless cut it keeps the top half quiet, which is what lets the ruched body below it be the main event.
The gathers run along the side seam and pull the cloth into vertical folds across the middle. Simplee pitches it as a flattering line over the hips, and the practical effect is that stretch velvet sits in folds rather than flat against the body.
A long close-cut skirt without an opening shortens the step. The slit at the back is there to make stairs and dance floors workable, and it is the detail separating this from a column dress that only looks right standing still.
The velvet dress in this group that follows the body rather than hiding it under a skirt.
Stretch velvet with a full lining underneath. Simplee advises taking the regular size for a fitted look and sizing up for comfort or for a fuller bust and hips. No zip is listed, so the stretch does the work. Wash in a laundry bag or by hand in cold water and hang to dry.
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.