Knee-length cocktail dresses for parties that start at six

A December birthday in red velvet

Picture a table booked for eight on a snowy Friday. Our red velvet dress has dropped shoulders that show your collarbones, three-quarter sleeves and a small slit, so you move freely. The hem ends at the knee or a little lower.

It’s dense velvet. You stay warm in the restaurant even with your shoulders out.

Wear earrings and leave your neck bare. Thin heels, a black or gold bag. On the way there, a cropped coat or a short fur jacket works best, because neither one hides the hem. When you get home, hang it to dry, far from any radiator, or the shoulder line won’t sit as neatly next time.

The office party turtleneck

Not every invitation calls for bare shoulders. The white knee length cocktail dress in our angora-blend knit has a turtleneck collar you can wear up or folded double, long sleeves and a relaxed cut.

You won’t miss a scarf. It slips under a puffer or a coat without bunching up, and for the office a long vest over it looks smart. Beige boots on the way in.

White likes pale accessories, although a dark bag gives it some contrast. Take your usual size from XS to XL, judged by the bust.

Satin wraps for summer drinks

The warm-weather side of this page belongs to our summer collection, which takes a break from September to February and returns in March. Our summer wraps are knee length cocktail dresses with ruffles and short sleeves, in a silk-look satin with 2 % elastane on a polyester base. Blue with white polka dots, or pink with a soft floral print.

You set the depth of the V when you tie it. Do that first, then check your bust against the size chart.

There’s also a red polka dot dress with a small drop-shaped keyhole at the neck. It’s bright, but modest enough for a family lunch, and a short denim jacket handles the breeze after sunset. More dots live on our page of spotted prints.

Want a different hem? See the full range of party dresses, or for daytime picks at this length, open everyday dresses to the knee.

Frequently asked questions

Is the white angora scratchy?

Not at all, it’s soft against bare skin. You can skip the sweater underneath even on a frosty day.

What shoes suit the pink floral wrap?

Nude sandals, pearl studs and a small clutch. By the water at night, put a milky cardigan over your shoulders.

How do I wash the satin wraps?

Gently, in cool water, and never in the dryer. Smooth them out to dry in the shade. If they still look creased, press the inside with a warm iron.