Skirts are the most useful form. Joseph's Isaak and the Anine Bing Bar are full length and plain, Rohe's draped wrap and Victoria Beckham's Bela add gathering at the waist, and Heirlome's Sandrita in duchesse has enough weight to hold a shape. The Christopher John Rogers striped crinkle satin is the loudest.

The Rohe draped wrap ties at the waist, so you control how much the satin clings. The Ilkyaz Ozel Sirena runs to the floor and relies on the weight of the fabric.

The Victoria Beckham Bela gathers the satin at the side, which breaks up the shine. The Christopher John Rogers Morris crinkles the whole surface and adds a stripe on top.

The Heirlome Sandrita uses duchesse satin, which is stiffer and holds a shape away from the body. The Sharon Wauchob Tria cuts the hem on an angle for movement.

Dresses are where the fabric does the most. Maison Margiela's draped silk blend and Heirlome's Mercedes fall straight, while Fforme's Catrin and Aflalo's plisse build structure into the satin. Maticevski's metallic gown and the Lauren Ralph Lauren charmeuse stay firmly in evening.

The Reformation Roy is the straightforward satin dress that works for most evenings. The Aflalo Celestia is plisse, so it has texture the moment light hits it.

The Heirlome Mercedes is all silk satin and falls straight from the shoulder. The Fforme Catrin gathers jersey into duchesse satin, which gives it structure where you need it.

The Maticevski Glow Up uses a metallic satin and drapes it hard across the body. The Maison Margiela is the quieter drape and reads as a long dress rather than a gown.

Tops make it wearable in daylight. Toteme's slouch blouse and Khaite's Ivy shirt are cut like shirting rather than lingerie, while Comme Si's silk cami and Reformation's Slyvette go the other way. Gabriela Hearst's Melina and the Stella McCartney blouse sit between the two.

The Toteme Slouch is cut loose and tucks into anything. The Destree Amoako Summer is the slightly dressier of the two, with a neater collar.

The Ilkyaz Ozel Angelica has a softer shoulder and more movement in the sleeve. The Stella McCartney satin blouse is sharper and works under a blazer.

The Gabriela Hearst Melina drapes at the neck and needs nothing else. The Khaite Ivy is a proper shirt in satin, collar and cuffs included, which is the easier one for work.

If you take one thing away, it is that satin weight is everything. Heavy duchesse and silk charmeuse fall away from the body, while a thin polyester satin clings to it and shows every line underneath, and the two look nothing alike in person even though they photograph the same. Check the fabric composition before anything else. A satin skirt with a plain knit on top is the formula that makes this work on a normal day, and it is far easier than a full satin outfit. Expect to steam rather than iron, and expect water marks on silk to be permanent. If you want one piece, take the skirt. It does the most with the least and it goes with everything already hanging up.