Buying Guide
The New Look Dress Edit: What to Buy This Autumn
New Look's dress range splits cleanly by length and by sleeve, and that is the fastest way to narrow it down. This edit groups the midi, mini, shirt and long sleeve styles in stock now, with notes on fabric and cut so you know which one suits the occasion.
Midi dresses
The midi is where this range runs deepest, and the fabric tells you the occasion before the cut does. Satin and sequin styles sit at the dressier end, while ribbed knit and check prints carry through the day. Watch the neckline as closely as the length, because halter and one shoulder cuts need different support than the square necks.
Mini dresses
Most of the mini styles lean towards evening, with sequin, velvet and lace doing the work. The plainer denim, knit and gingham cuts are the ones that hold up in daylight. Length varies more than the word mini suggests, so check the model height on the retailer page before you commit to the shortest of these.
Shirt and wrap dresses
Shirt and wrap styles are the easiest of these to size, because both adjust at the waist rather than relying on a fixed fit. The satin and striped versions read smarter, the corduroy and cotton ones sit closer to everyday. A wrap always hangs better once the tie is shortened to your own length, which is a two minute job on most of them.
Long sleeve dresses
Sleeves are what make a summer shape work in October. Velvet, ponte and knitted jersey hold their shape through a full day, while mesh and lace need something underneath. Several of these run in petite, tall and maternity cuts as well as the standard line, which is worth knowing if regular lengths never quite land.
The buyer's brief
How to choose
Two things decide most of these: how long it is, and whether it has sleeves. Everything else follows from the occasion you are buying for.
Length
Midi covers anything from below the knee to the ankle, and the word gets used across a wide range of shapes. Mini varies most of all. Treat the model height on the product page as the real guide rather than the name of the style.
Fabric for the season
Satin and chiffon photograph well but feel cold in October. Velvet, ponte, corduroy and knitted jersey hold heat and hold their shape. If the event is indoors, sleeve length matters more than the fabric does.
Sleeves
A long sleeve version of a summer shape usually extends a wardrobe further than buying a coat to wear over a strappy dress. It also removes the question of what to do with your arms in photographs.
Fit lines
Petite, tall, maternity and curve cuts run through much of this range. They are drafted separately rather than scaled up or down, so if the standard line never sits right, start in the fit line instead of changing size.
Care
Sequin and embellished styles are almost always spot clean or dry clean only. If you want something you can put through a wash, stay with jersey, cotton and denim.
Neckline and support
Halter, one shoulder and square necks each need different underwear. Check this before ordering if you do not want to buy a bra to go with the dress.
Good to know
Answered
Midi covers anything from below the knee to the ankle, and the term is used across a wide range of cuts. The retailer product page gives the model height and the size she is wearing, which is more reliable than the style name.
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About this edit
Diligo's edits are curated by our editorial team and updated as ranges and availability change. Every product featured is hand-picked for design, quality and lasting appeal, so you can discover pieces worth buying without trawling dozens of sites.
Product availability and prices shown are indicative and refreshed regularly. Tap any product to continue to the brand.