Black dresses for the office, dinner and the party after

If you only keep one black dress, it should work at nine in the morning and again at nine at night. That’s how we cut most of the ones here, in velvet, rib knit, jersey and a little satin and lurex, from short minis all the way to the floor.

Black for a regular workweek

The sheath midi is the quiet one. It’s straight and close to the body, the sleeves stop below the elbow, and we make it to wear all year. A blazer and low pumps for a meeting. Later, lose the blazer, put on earrings, and your watch shows at the wrist.

If your office is fine with short hems, try our V-neck mini. It has shoulder pads that square off the top and a pleated skirt with flaps, and with thick black tights and loafers it looks like workwear. There’s also a sleeveless rib knit midi that hugs you. Put a thin white turtleneck under it for the office. Take it off for drinks.

Velvet for the theater, a slit for the ball

Velvet makes black look deeper. The velvet turtleneck midi covers your neck and arms, so it’s warm under a coat and right for a concert, a business dinner or New Year with your family. Big earrings or a wide bracelet, no necklace.

Smaller and bolder? The velvet mini on thin straps is for a club, cocktails or dinner for two, with a cropped fur jacket you take off when the dancing starts. Wear seamless underwear with clear straps under it.

For a black-tie night, there’s a floor-length velvet black dress with bare shoulders and a slit at the leg. Stilettos or strappy sandals, a plain black or silver clutch, hair up. If sparkle’s the plan, our lurex midi has bare shoulders, draping and a slit of its own.

Black in the warm months

From March, the summer black dresses come back to the catalog, mostly florals and polka dots. Think a midi sundress on thin tie straps or a polka dot mini with one shoulder and a flounce down the neckline. White sneakers by day.