Midnight Cascades Pleated Midi Skirt

Black, A-line, and quiet until it moves. The lower half is built in finely pleated tiers, and the last of them is semi-sheer, so the hem floats a beat behind the rest of the skirt as you walk.

It photographs beautifully and works even better in person, where the movement is the whole point.

The fabric

Polyester, which is what holds a pleat this fine through a season. Fully lined to the sheer tier, which is what stops a transparent hem being a problem rather than a feature.

How it fits

A thick elastic waistband that stretches to a 30 inch waist and sits flat under a tucked-in top. Length 33 inches, cut to a 27–28 inch waist. On a shorter frame the hem sits at the ankle.

Looking after it

Dry clean, or a cold delicate wash inside a mesh bag if you are confident, hung by the waistband so the pleats fall straight. Never fold it across the pleats. A cool iron on the reverse if an edge has softened.

Among petite dresses evening wear alternatives, a korean fashion skirt like this with a plain knit does the same job and you will wear it again on a Wednesday — a chic dress to impress without the dress.