The Scanlan Theodore Turban Dress: The Ring Dress, the Pencil, the Gown and How to Wear Them

If one neckline belongs to Scanlan Theodore, it is the turban: a gathered wrap of fabric at the throat that reads as a ring, a twist, a knot, and does the work of a necklace. It arrived on the Turban Ring Dress, the brand’s most searched-for dress, and it now runs through a pencil dress, a silk shirt dress, a gown and two tops. These are the turban pieces in stock on Luxury Handbags as we write, priced in US dollars, with what each one is for.

1. The original: Turban Ring Dress in Black, $930

Full length, boat neck, short sleeve, with the gathered turban ring at the throat. The most searched-for Scanlan Theodore dress, in black.

2. The navy: Turban Ring Dress in Navy, $930

The same dress in navy, which reads as a day dress in the office and an evening dress with a heel.

3. The pencil: Milano Turban Pencil Dress in Black, $930

Slim, with the turban draping moved to the waist, shoulder pads and a back zip with the brand’s matte nickel puller. Boardroom dressing.

4. The silk: Silk Poppy Jacquard Turban Dress in Caramel, $980

A silk jacquard woven with the poppy motif, point collar, mother of pearl buttons, and the turban drape. Caramel is the warm neutral of the season.

5. The gown: Turban Gown in Garnet Rose, $1,030

The turban neckline taken to floor length: narrow funnel neck, self-covered buttons at the back, a sharp shoulder and the drape at the front waist. Garnet Rose is a raspberry pink.

6. The gown in green: Turban Gown in Emerald, $1,030

The same gown in a deep emerald, for a winter black-tie date.

7. The top: Velvet Spot Turban Top in Black, $590

The turban wrap neckline as a slim, sheer, double-layer top with long sleeves, in velvet spot. Wear it under a Crepe Knit jacket.

8. The summer top: Mesh Turban Sleeveless Top in Jungle, $400

Sleeveless, double-layer mesh with the turban wrap, hip length, in the deep green the brand calls Jungle.

How to wear it

Leave the neck alone. The neckline is the jewellery, so skip the necklace and keep the earrings fine. A slim heel, a small structured bag, hair up so the ring shows. If the evening is cool, a Crepe Knit jacket over the shoulders rather than on, because the turban wants to be seen. For the office, the Milano pencil with a loafer; for a wedding, the Ring Dress with a heel; for black tie, the gown.

Sizing

The turban dresses are a regular fit in AU sizes, which read as UK and sit two numbers above US. The Milano pencil is slim through the body and carries shoulder pads, so take your usual size and let the pads set the shoulder. The gown has a narrow funnel neck with covered buttons at the back; it is fitted through the bodice and wants a size that closes at the neck. The model across these pages is 175 to 178 cm and wears an AU 6. See the size guide for the conversion.

Shop every turban piece in the Scanlan Theodore collection at Luxury Shoes , read the best Scanlan Theodore dresses for the rest of the dress range, and browse all designer dresses.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Scanlan Theodore turban dress?

A dress with the brand’s signature turban neckline, a gathered wrap at the throat that looks like a ring and a twist of fabric. The Turban Ring Dress is the original; the Milano Turban Pencil Dress moves the drape to the waist, and the Turban Gown takes it to floor length.

Does the Turban Ring Dress run true to size?

Yes. It is a regular fit in AU sizes 4 to 14, which read as UK. The model is 176 cm and wears an AU 6, which is a US 2.

How do you wear a turban dress?

With almost nothing at the neck, because the neckline is the jewellery. Fine earrings, a slim heel, and a Crepe Knit jacket over the shoulders if the evening is cool.

What colours does the turban dress come in?

On Luxury Handbags now: the Turban Ring Dress in black and navy, the Milano Turban Pencil Dress in black and navy, and the Turban Gown in black, emerald and Garnet Rose. The brand has made it in pink and blue in earlier seasons.