Franklin Long Sleeve Midi Dress - Black

The Franklin is a black midi dress with long sleeves and a sweetheart neckline — a plain brief, executed with a ruched bust and a front split.

The neckline curves in a sweetheart across the bust, and the fabric there is ruched, gathered into folds that give the bodice shape without a seam showing. Long sleeves finish in elasticised cuffs. A split opens the front of the skirt, and an invisible zip at the back closes the dress. It is lined.

Sleeves plus a split is a good trade: covered above, open below. That makes this midi dress one of the few that works in a cold month and still looks like an evening dress. Heels or boots both read right under the hem. Keep the neck bare, since the sweetheart shape is the line the eye follows, and let the split do the moving.