Olive Strapless Pleated Maxi Dress

Strapless, floor length and cut in olive, this is a maxi dress built around fine pleats and a straight neckline.

The pleating is fine rather than broad, so the surface breaks the light into small folds all the way down instead of a few wide ones. The neckline runs straight across with nothing above it, held by an inner bust grip in rubber, and a shirred panel across the back gives the fit somewhere to move. An invisible zip closes the back with a hook and eye clasp. The satin has a soft feel to it. The top is unlined and the skirt is lined.

A straight strapless neckline leaves a wide open space at the collarbone, which is why a necklace with some presence works here where it would crowd almost anything else. Olive is easier to wear at a wedding than a bright colour and warmer than black. A heel matches the length, and everything else can stay plain.