Black mini dresses from office hours to late dinners

A black mini dress earns its keep on weeknights, at birthdays and on New Year’s Eve, and every one on this page stops above the knee. For the cold months most of them have long sleeves. Summer brings back the satin wraps and the black prints with polka dots or little flowers.

A teardrop cutout for work, thin straps for later

Start with Mustang rib, our dense stretchy knit that sits close from shoulder to hem. A small teardrop opening at the chest shows very little. Wear it to the office and straight on to dinner. Earrings are enough here.

The zip-front rib style is a different animal. It has a stand collar, and the zip runs down the bodice, so you decide how low it goes. Below the bodice the skirt flares out and leaves your hips alone.

Evening is velvet territory. The cocktail one on thin straps is the barest thing on the page, and under it you’ll want seamless underwear with clear straps. Keep a big blazer or a cropped fur over your shoulders until the dancing starts. A one-sleeve velvet cut needs nothing at the neck at all.

Lurex goes to the office party. Our black lurex wrap covers your arms, the wrap forms a V at the neck, and by day it calms down under a big black blazer with chunky boots.

How short is short

Mini covers a lot of ground. On the flounced jersey and the zip-front rib you pick the length yourself, about 80, 88 or 93 cm. Petite? Go shortest and wear over-the-knee boots. Even the longest still counts as a black mini dress on someone tall, and it’s the one we’d suggest for an office with a dress code.

Fitted rib hugs the hips. Sit in it for a while at home before you decide. A flared skirt is easier to get right, and our S comes out at about a US 4. With the velvet mini that has a round neck, raise both arms at the fitting, and the sleeves shouldn’t ride up.

Come summer, there’s a polka dot mini that goes over one shoulder, with a long sleeve on the other arm and a flounce running along the neckline and the hem. Wear your earrings on the bare side. It’s sweet with white sneakers and a denim jacket too.

Want sleeves in other colors? Open short dresses with long sleeves. There’s also a page of black dresses for a party, and the whole mini collection in every shade.

Frequently asked questions

What goes under the strappy velvet one?

A seamless bra with clear straps. Go by your bust measurement and the straps will sit flat on your shoulders.

Which black mini dress keeps me warmest?

Angora-blend knit with long sleeves. The one with ruffles on the shoulders stands in for a sweater on cold days, especially with thick tights and Chelsea boots.