Emilia Wickstead Dresses: A Guide to Every Shape, Fabric and Occasion

Emilia Wickstead dresses are built on one idea: a fitted bodice, a defined waist and a skirt with real structure. The London designer founded her label in 2008 on a made to measure model, and the ready to wear still carries that couture habit. Luxury Handbags stocks the Emilia Wickstead collection online, including thirty new dresses from Autumn Winter 2026.

Quick answer

• The signature: fitted through the bodice and waist, then a full A line, a pleated midi skirt and, for evening, a long straight column.
• The cloths: mikado, cloque, duchess satin, wool crepe, birdseye suiting and velvet. Each holds its shape away from the body.
• Lengths: mostly midi and floor length, with a few minis such as the Wichita and Einna.
• Sizing: UK 4 to UK 18, true to size in our experience, with the waist as the measurement to check first.

The house shapes

The full skirted midi

This is the dress most people picture when they search for Emilia Wickstead. The Mara Dress in Red Floral Cloque shows it well: a high round neck, a sleeveless bodice fitted through the waist and a full A line skirt with a curved hem. The Jannie does the same on slim straps, and the Eagle adds a velvet belt and pockets.

The collared day dress

A pointed collar over a fitted bodice is the other constant. The Celeste is a long sleeved shirt dress in Breezy Poppy mikado, the Jody comes in red and green flocked check, and the Valletta narrows into a pencil skirt in chocolate wool crepe.

The column

For evening the house cuts long and straight. The Regina in silver metallic cloque, the Megara and the Micheline all use a square neckline and straps over a fitted bodice, with a split at the back for walking.

The floor length A line

The Malinda in gold metallic jacquard and the Nodin in green velvet are the black tie dresses of the season: fitted to the waist, then a full skirt to the floor.

The fabrics, and why they matter

Emilia Wickstead chooses cloths that stand away from the body. Mikado and cloque are crisp and slightly stiff, so a pleat stays a pleat. Duchess satin has weight and a low sheen. Birdseye suiting, a tailoring cloth with a fine dotted weave, appears this season on evening shapes such as the Lucciene. Most dresses are fully lined, and nearly all are dry clean only.

Which Emilia Wickstead dress for which occasion

• Winter wedding: a full midi in mikado. See our Emilia Wickstead winter wedding guest edit.
• Christmas party: red duchess satin and silver cloque. See the Christmas party dresses.
• Black tie: a floor length dress in velvet, and metallic cloque for a party. See the velvet dress guide.
• The office: a collared wool crepe dress such as the Valletta, and the Caliste shirt dress.

How Emilia Wickstead dresses fit

Emilia Wickstead cuts ready to wear in UK 4 to UK 18. On the house chart a UK 10 is a US 6, an Italian 42 and a French 38, and the knitwear runs XS to XL. See the Emilia Wickstead size guide for bust, waist and hip measurements. Because the bodice is fitted and the skirt is full, the waist decides the size. If you sit between two sizes, choose the one that matches your waist and have the bust taken in if needed.

Browse every length: designer midi dresses, maxi dresses and mini dresses.

Emilia Wickstead dresses by colour

• Red: the Mara and Megara in red cloque, the Lucciene in red suiting and the Keeley in red satin.
• Green: three velvet dresses, the Camilla, Nodin and Eagle.
• Black: the Wichita mini, the Lucciene in black and the velvet Regina and Birch.
• Chocolate: the Valletta, Olivienne, Quinley and Malinda.
• Metallic: the Harlow and Regina in silver, the Malinda in gold.
• Print and check: Breezy Poppy mikado, Prince of Wales check and red and green flocked check, from the Rain to the Thea.

Are Emilia Wickstead dresses worth it?

Three things justify the price. First, the cloth: mikado, cloque and duchess satin are heavier and more stable than the crepes most contemporary labels use, so the dress keeps its shape for years. Second, the construction: fitted bodices with panelled seams, full linings and, on most pieces, a concealed zip. Third, the origin: the large majority of the Autumn Winter 2026 dresses are made in the United Kingdom. A full skirted midi you will wear to several weddings costs less per wear than three cheaper dresses bought for one occasion each.

Caring for a structured dress

Hang structured dresses on a shaped, padded hanger with room around the skirt so pleats are not crushed. Steam lightly from the inside; avoid pressing mikado and cloque directly. Most pieces are dry clean only, and it is worth using a cleaner who handles couture.

If you like Emilia Wickstead, Luxury Handbags also carries Erdem for romantic prints, Alessandra Rich for polished occasion dresses, Oscar de la Renta for American ladylike glamour and ME+EM for British workwear. See our full list of brands like Emilia Wickstead.

Emilia Wickstead at a glance

Frequently asked questions

Where can I buy Emilia Wickstead dresses?

Luxury Handbags stocks Emilia Wickstead dresses online with worldwide shipping. The house also sells through its flagship at 152 to 153 Sloane Street in London, its own website and stockists such as Harrods, Net-a-Porter and Mytheresa.

Are Emilia Wickstead dresses true to size?

Emilia Wickstead sizes follow the UK chart, where a UK 10 is a US 6. The dresses are fitted at the waist, so choose your size by waist measurement first.

What fabric are Emilia Wickstead dresses made from?

The house works in structured cloths: mikado, cloque, duchess satin, wool crepe, birdseye suiting and velvet. The exact composition is listed on every Luxury Handbags product page.

Who wears Emilia Wickstead dresses?

The Princess of Wales has worn Emilia Wickstead many times, including bespoke designs for state occasions. Read more in our piece on Emilia Wickstead and the Princess of Wales.

Read next: Emilia Wickstead Autumn Winter 2026, Where to buy Emilia Wickstead, Who is Emilia Wickstead.