Smart casual dress for women in knit and velvet

When the invite or the office handbook says smart casual, a dress is the easiest way to get it right, because one piece does the whole job. Most of ours are midi or mini with long sleeves, cut from knit or velvet for the cold months.

Nine to five in a black turtleneck or a sheath

Our first pick is a black midi with a turtleneck. The high collar and long sleeves cover you up, and it fits close to the body without feeling heavy. Add a camel blazer and loafers for work. After six, swap the loafers for heeled ankle boots, put on silver earrings and wear a wide bracelet right over the sleeve. It’s fine at the theater too.

Prefer something shorter? The turtleneck also comes as a mini. With thick tights and tall boots it’s office-safe, since only your legs show.

We cut the black sheath midi straight and close to the body, with a round neck and sleeves that end at three-quarter length, and it’s an all-year style you’ll reach for in April as much as in November. Low pumps and a jacket by day. The sleeve stops above the wrist, so your watch is on show. When the hips need a bigger size than the bust, follow the hips and the skirt won’t pull when you walk.

And then the black V-neck mini with small shoulder pads and a pleated skirt with flaps. That’s a smart casual dress for offices that allow a short hem. Wear it with opaque tights and a briefcase bag. Don’t press the pleats flat, just steam them lightly. For stricter dress codes, see our office dresses.

Red angora, powder pink and burgundy velvet

A morning meeting and a holiday dinner on the same day? The red angora turtleneck midi covers both. It keeps your neck warm under a coat, and you won’t need a scarf. Black knee boots for work, pointed ankle boots for the party. This knit hugs, so between two sizes we’d go up.

Powder pink is softer. The pink sheath goes with a white or gray blazer for the office and with pearl earrings for a christening or a family lunch.

The gray-blue angora mini with a stand collar is warm like a thin sweater and doesn’t itch. More cozy knits sit on our winter knit page. Burgundy velvet works between seasons with a blazer for a business meeting.