Fitted dress in rib knit, velvet and stretch jersey

A fitted dress shows your real size, and that’s the reason to measure before you order one. Most of ours are long-sleeve midis and minis, sewn from rib, jersey, velvet or an angora-blend knit. We cut them to sit close, so there’s no point in sizing up out of habit.

Hips first, then the bust

On a close-cut midi the fabric hugs you all the way down. Hips matter most. Check that number against the chart, and when you try the dress on, look for rib that pulls across the thigh. If it does, go up one.

Minis have their own test. Stand at the mirror and raise both arms. Does the hem climb? Then you’ll be tugging at it all evening, and a longer style or the next size will serve you better.

One model is easier than the rest. The black keyhole mini is cotton jersey with 5 % elastane, and it stretches enough that your usual size is the one to take. There’s a seam just below the bust that defines the waist, and the keyhole sits high and small. We sew that cut in white and pink too.

What goes under and over a close cut

Seamless underwear. That’s the short answer for rib knit, and under white we’d choose a skin tone.

The sleeveless black rib midi is the one to layer. For work, slip a fine white turtleneck underneath, since midi length is at home in an office. Come evening, take the turtleneck off, drape a blazer over your shoulders and switch to heels. Any coat on top should be straight-cut, so it doesn’t hide the line you bought the dress for.

Fitted velvet is for occasions. Our burgundy midi with a V-neck needs little more than a pendant in the neckline, and it’s a cold-weather dress, sewn from dense velvet for an anniversary dinner or an office party.

Turtleneck, shallow V or a slit at the leg

A lot of this range closes at the neck with a turtleneck. Not all of it. On the blue midi in rib knit, the V-neck is shallow and opens just enough for the office and for dinner afterward, and a thin chain sits well in it.

Worried you can’t walk in a tight midi? Look at the rib styles with a slit. It gives your stride room, so a whole day on your feet is fine. And if you choose the white velvet midi with one sleeve, plan on a strapless bra.

Frequently asked questions

Will a bigger size make a fitted dress more comfortable?

Usually not. Rib stretches. If you’re between two sizes, take the roomier one for the office and the smaller one for evenings.

How do I store a rib knit dress?

Keep it folded on a shelf. Hung up, rib knit gets longer with time.

Which of these is the warmest?

The angora-blend turtleneck midis. In a winter office one of them does the work of a sweater.

Is a fitted dress the same thing as bodycon?

They overlap, though bodycon is the tighter end. Compare our bodycon styles, see close-cut midis on their own, or go straight to the black ones. Everything else is in the dress catalog.