Now the short ones, which is where this color gets playful. A mini in wine red reads less like a party dress and more like a good dark lipstick: it works with almost anything. Black tights, tall boots, a blazer, and you are set for a dinner in autumn.

 

Let me group them by mood. The sparkly ones are the Bardot Helene Sequin Mini Dress and the AQUA Sequin Long Sleeve Mini Dress. Both have shine, so I would keep every other thing quiet: flat sandals or sleek boots, one ring, no necklace. The Rabanne Burgundy Piercing Mini Dress is the boldest in the group, and it does not need help, so a plain coat over the top is enough.

 

The soft and sweet ones come from Edikted. The Ariellah Chiffon Babydoll Mini Dress floats, so pair it with a structured jacket. The Keily Choker Cowl Neck Mini Dress has the neckline built in, which means you can skip jewelry. Then the quieter picks: the Bardot Mock Neck Long Sleeve Sheath Mini Dress is the one I would wear to work with opaque tights, and the Avec Les Filles Square-Neck Mini Dress is the easy one for a long lunch. The Avec Les Filles One-Shoulder Asymmetric Faux Suede Mini Dress is the one for a night when you want texture.

 

The last three are my favorites for the cooler months. The Miss Circle Natasha Burgundy Faux Two-Piece Turtleneck Mini Dress looks like a sweater and skirt in one go, the Ramy Brook Peyton Corduroy Mini Dress is casual enough for boots and a denim jacket, and the MILLY Jojo Lace Mini Dress is the polished choice for a party. The DKNY Sleeveless Jewel Neck Ruched Cocktail Dress is the one that goes right from a desk to a drink.

 

A few more short ones. Simkhai's organza mini has a bow and the most structure, and Edikted's Adria is beaded sequins on a halter, with its Zeffra as the plain sleeveless partner. AEXAE's boat neck mini has a low back, Curaae's Orel drapes, and Lovers and Friends has two: the Sally and the faux leather Noa. Ronny Kobo's Winnie and Bananhot's Marissa are the party pair, and the velvet and satin minis, Bardot's Layna in velour, o.p.t's Katia and Princess Polly's off-the-shoulder Zabbarra, are the ones I would wear with sheer black tights.

 

My test for a mini: sit down in the fitting room, then reach for something on the floor. If the hem stays where you want it, it is a keeper.

This group is the soft side of the shade: velvet, satin and knit. These are the dresses where the fabric does the talking, and the color just helps.

 

Merriam-Webster defines velvet as a fabric characterized by a short, soft, dense warp pile, and that pile is why wine red looks so rich in it. The light catches it and deepens it. The Betsy & Adam Velvet Draped Back Long Dress is the one I would wear to a winter wedding, since the draped back means you do not need a necklace. The XSCAPE Velvet Off-The-Shoulder Leg-Slit Gown is the red-carpet moment of the group, and the AQUA Velvet Knot Neck Sheath Dress is the neat, close-fitting option for a cocktail evening.

 

For satin, there is the AQUA Lace Trim Satin Slip Dress, which is the one I would layer under a chunky cardigan in the day and wear with a blazer at night. The Donna Karan New York Satin Side-Ruched Cascade Ruffle Midi Dress is dressier, with the ruching built in to give it shape.

 

Then the knits, which are the most wearable of the lot. The Bardot Hattie Knit Midi Dress and the Yumi Fitted Rib Knitted Midi Dress are made for boots and a long coat. The Karen Millen Viscose Tab Pleated Knit Mini Dress is the short option, and I would wear it with tights and loafers.

 

There are more for the evening. AQUA's strapless velvet gown and Steve Madden's Mo midi are the easy velvets, and Naeem Khan's light velvet gown with cap sleeves is the one for a black tie invitation. For satin, STAUD's Portia drapes and ties, RIXO's Losanna is a long slip, Significant Other's Devlyn is a satin gown, and House of CB's Mademoiselle has a sweetheart neck. After Six's strapless tuxedo gown and La Femme's fitted long dress with a gold zipper are the sharp ones.

 

In knit, Gabriela Hearst's Tenes in cashmere and silk is the investment, Self-Portrait's waffle knit adds crystals, and Line & Dot's Mazzy is the easy weekday dress. Below those sit a few more long ones: Badgley Mischka's pleated chiffon gown, Silvia Tcherassi's Doli, superdown's Advice maxi and Michael Kors Collection's draped column gown.

 

What I would skip: ironing a velvet one. The Laundress advises steaming velvet to remove wrinkles and never ironing it, because ironing crushes the pile. Also skip wearing a velvet dress with a heavy velvet jacket in the same shade, since the textures flatten each other. Add contrast with leather, wool or something matte.

Here is how I choose one. I start with the plan: a wedding, a dinner, a day at the desk. For a formal evening, I go long or velvet. For anything casual, a knit or a mini with boots.

 

Then I check the shade against my skin and my jewelry. Some of these lean purple, some lean brown, and a few sit right in the middle, so try them in daylight if you can. Gold and tan leather make the red warmer, and silver and black make it cooler.

 

Care matters for the soft ones. The Laundress says to freshen velvet between wears by gently steaming it with a fabric steamer. I hang mine in the bathroom while I shower and then steam it once it is dry.

 

Last, the rest of the outfit. Keep it simple: a black coat, a plain bag, shoes in black or tan. These dresses are already doing the hard work, and your job is to stay out of their way. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together Black Lace Dress and Elegant Dresses for Women.