Long knit dress outfits: from day to evening

Styling a long knit dress comes down to three things: the shoes, the colour and the layer you wear over it. The cut of the dress is simple, so changing the shoes or adding a cardigan is often all it takes.

Our examples use the Cashmere long knit dresses in white, beige and black. Cashmere is the name of the capsule collection, not of the fabric. The collection takes its name from its soft texture, which recalls cashmere; the fabric itself is 100% viscose.

The shoes, bag, belt and jewellery in the photos are accessories chosen for the shoot; they do not come with the dress or the cardigan.

Shoes: from day to evening

The model is 170 cm tall. On the model, the dress ends between mid-calf and just above the ankle, varying slightly from photo to photo. With the hem this low, the shoes are hard to miss, and they mostly set the mood of the outfit. If your height is different, the hem will land at a different point, so try the shoes on in front of a full-length mirror.

By day, flat loafers or plain, single-colour trainers suit the dress. A white or cream pair goes well with the beige and white dresses, a dark pair with the black one.

For the evening, choose a nude stiletto or a heeled sandal with thin straps. The heel nudges the dress towards evening, and a nude shade does not interrupt the line. You can dial the outfit up or down with the heel: a thin, high heel looks more formal, a block or short heel more relaxed. For New Year’s Eve, we have gathered ideas in our New Year’s Eve outfits guide.

Shoes close to the dress in tone make the outfit look cohesive, while a contrasting colour draws the eye to the feet. An ankle boot works too: when the hem covers its top edge, the line stays unbroken. If you wear tights or socks, choose a shade close to your skin tone or to the dress; a patterned pair interrupts the simple line. All three colours are neutral; what separates them is how much contrast you want from the shoes and bag.

Black knit dress outfits: all black

The Cashmere Black Dress works for everyday wear and for dressier occasions. Dressing all in black is the easiest route. Black shoes and a black bag keep the outfit calm, while glossy heels give it more of an evening feel. A cream or beige bag, or shoes in those shades, softens the look.

Beige knit dress outfits: earthy tones

Beige is a colour that pairs easily with other neutral tones. For the Cashmere Beige Dress, the simplest route is shades close to beige: brown, nude and cream. You can also build a tonal look with pieces a little lighter or darker than the dress. Adding texture without changing the tone keeps the outfit interesting, and a piece in leather or suede goes well alongside the knit.

White knit dress outfits: touches of colour

White adds freshness to an outfit in any season. The Cashmere White Dress comes together with a few touches of colour: nude, brown and cream tones keep the look soft. For sharper contrast, choose black shoes or a black bag. Keeping the contrast to a single point preserves the fresh feel of the white.

What to wear over a long knit dress

The layer that goes most naturally with the dress is a long, open-front cardigan. A cardigan that falls past the hem of the dress extends the line further towards the floor and adds sleeves to the sleeveless dress. A cardigan in the same colour blends into the dress as if the two were one piece; one in a different tone becomes the focus of the outfit. A short jacket ends at the waist, so it emphasises the waistline but breaks the long, flowing line. To keep that line, a cardigan is the better choice. In the photo below, the model is wearing the Cashmere White Cardigan. How to wear the same cardigan without the dress, with a T-shirt, a shirt or trousers, is covered in our long cardigan outfits guide.

The Cashmere collection has dress and cardigan pairs in the same colour; buy the two together and the set is 10% off.

Belt, bag and jewellery

A thin belt gently marks the waist; a wide belt defines the waistline more clearly. Without a belt, the dress still looks complete. A belt close in colour to the shoes or the bag ties the look together. As for bags, one with soft lines suits the day and a small envelope clutch the evening.

The neckline is deep and wide, so the neck and décolleté are left bare. Keep jewellery to a fine chain or small earrings; anything more looks crowded. Sticking to one metal tone, gold or silver, keeps the outfit looking put together.

The cut and size of the dress

The dress is sleeveless, with a deep, wide neckline. Its vertical ribbed knit is light and breathable. It comes in one size and adapts to different body types.

Frequently asked questions

What shoes go with a knit dress?

A loafer or a single-colour trainer by day, a stiletto or a heeled sandal in the evening.

Can you wear boots with a knit dress?

Yes, an ankle boot works: when the hem covers its top edge, the line stays unbroken.

How do you style a black knit dress?

Going all black is the easiest route. A cream or beige bag softens the look.

How do you style a beige knit dress?

With tones close to beige, such as brown, nude and cream.

How do you style a white knit dress?

Keep it soft with nude and brown tones, or add a single black piece for sharper contrast.