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Style Guides & Inspiration

Longer-form guides to style and fashion, one question at a time.

A woman in a flowing blue coat over a patterned blue dress, with a matching head wrap and long beaded necklaces, walks across a street in front of an industrial building.
Photo: Ben Iwara on Unsplash

Not sure where to start? The Dress Finder asks seven questions and suggests dress shapes, fabrics and colors for them.

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All style guides

A tightly packed flock of white sheep with thick, crimped fleece.
Style Guide

What Is Merino Wool? Merino Dresses for Winter

Merino wool comes from merino sheep and has much finer fibers than ordinary wool, which is why it feels soft rather than scratchy for most people. It's warm for its weight and breathable, so it's a good fiber for winter sweater dresses, tights and thin layers worn under a dress.

Updated Oct 21, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe

A man in a black tuxedo and bow tie stands beside a smiling woman in a sleeveless sequined dress outside a stone and timber building.
Style Guide

Black Tie Attire for Women: Gowns, Rules and Accessories

Black tie is a formal evening dress code: men wear tuxedos, and women wear floor-length gowns or something equally formal. If the invitation says black tie, plan on a long dress in a dressy fabric, heels or elegant flats, and a small evening bag.

Updated Oct 20, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe

Seen from behind, a woman in a strapless black gown and long black gloves rests one hand on a wooden fence post in an open field.
Style Guide

White Tie Dress Code for Women: Gowns, Gloves, Rules

White tie is the most formal dress code: men wear tailcoats with white bow ties, and women wear full-length evening or ball gowns. Long gloves, an evening bag and fine jewelry traditionally finish the look.

Updated Oct 20, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe

A woman in a crimson crushed-velvet dress with a V-neck stands on grass beside a white vintage car.
Style Guide

How to Wash and Care for a Velvet Dress

You can wash a velvet dress only if the care label allows it, and that usually means polyester or stretch velvet, hand washed in cool water and dried on a hanger. Silk, rayon and most occasion velvets are labeled dry clean, because water and wringing crush and mark the pile.

Updated Oct 19, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe

A woman in a long red hooded cape stands in the snow beside a frozen lake edged with snowy pines.
Style Guide

Cape Coats: The Coat That Fits Over Any Dress

A cape coat is a sleeveless coat that falls from the shoulders, usually with arm slits at the front, so it fits over dresses that a regular coat would crush. It's the most practical winter coat for wedding guests and party dresses, and a wool cape doubles as an everyday coat over a midi and boots.

Updated Oct 18, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe

Close-up of crimson velvet gathered into a swirl, showing its soft, light-catching pile.
Style Guide

Velvet vs Velour: Which Fabric Suits Your Dress

The difference between velvet and velour is the base: velvet is woven, with a dense cut pile that catches the light, and velour is usually knitted, so it stretches and feels softer but looks less formal. For a wedding or holiday party, choose velvet; for a comfortable everyday or casual-party dress, velour is fine.

Updated Oct 17, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe

Seen from the waist down, a woman in a black knee-length dress and black lace-up ankle boots stands in a pale vaulted corridor.
Style Guide

How to Wear Ankle Boots With a Dress

Ankle boots look best with a dress that ends above the knee or at mid-calf. In cold weather, match your tights to the boots, and keep a sleek boot for a light dress and a chunky one for a knit.

Updated Oct 10, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe

Seen from the waist down, a man in a navy suit and black dress shoes walks beside a woman in a floor-length raspberry satin gown on a patterned stone floor.
Style Guide

Black Tie Optional Wedding Guest Dresses

Black tie optional means the hosts will dress formally and you can too: wear a floor-length gown, a dressy cocktail or midi dress, or a formal jumpsuit.

Updated Oct 10, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe

A laughing woman holds a lit sparkler in both hands against a dark background.
Style Guide

Casual New Year's Eve Outfits That Still Feel Dressed Up

Casual New Year's Eve outfit ideas for a house party, drinks with friends or a cozy night in: sweater dresses, a satin skirt, heeled ankle booties and gold earrings that make comfortable look deliberate.

Updated Oct 10, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe

Guests in summer dresses, suits and a pink fascinator gather behind a hedge lined with roses and lavender under a bright blue sky.
Style Guide

Dressy Casual Wedding Attire: What Women Can Wear

Dressy casual wedding attire for women means a nice midi or knee-length dress, a dressy jumpsuit, or a skirt or tailored pants with a polished top: above everyday clothes, below cocktail.

Updated Oct 10, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe

A woman in a sheer white dress and a bearded man in a dark three-piece suit hold champagne flutes among other guests at an indoor party.
Style Guide

Engagement Party Dresses for Brides and Guests

What to wear to an engagement party: a white or ivory midi, mini or lace dress for the bride, a colored dress for guests, and the heels, pearls and wrap that finish both.

Updated Oct 10, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe

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A group of friends in a bright room with lace curtains raise champagne glasses together in a toast.

Occasion Dresses

For finding a dress by what's on your calendar: a wedding, a work event, a black-tie invitation.

Two women pose in a dim bar, one in a magenta satin gown with a thigh-high slit and one in a long-sleeved silver sequined gown.

Dress Codes

For working out what a dress code asks you to wear, from casual to black tie.