Dresses
Women's dresses for work and after
A dress is the quickest way to get dressed well. Forcast has been dressing women for work since 1992, and the range covers the working week and the weekend that follows: tailored minis and ponte shifts for the office, linen and satin styles for lunches and evenings, and knits for the cooler months.
Choose by length and cut
Start with the hemline. Short dresses such as the Hannah Tailored Mini Dress suit tights and boots in winter and flats in summer. Midi dresses sit below the knee and are the safest length for the office, with pleat-waist, panelled, shirt and crossover styles to choose from. Maxi dresses are the ones to reach for in the evening. Then think about shape: fitted panel dresses hold their line through a long day, while bias-cut slips, crossover fronts and dolman sleeves move more freely.
Fabric and fit
Ponte styles like the Sutton Ponte Dress have stretch and recover well, so they suit desk days and travel. Linen and linen blends breathe in the heat, satin catches the light for evenings, and knit dresses layer easily under a coat when it is cold. Most of the range is designed to be worn on its own, with the shape coming from panels, pleats or a defined waist rather than anything you add.
What to wear with a dress
The same dress can do two jobs. For work, add a blazer from jackets and blazers and a closed shoe. After hours, swap the blazer for jewelry and a heel. In winter, a coat, opaque tights and boots carry a midi through the season, and a belt is the fastest way to change the waistline of a straight dress.
How to shop it
If you are shopping for a dress code rather than a season, the work dresses edit narrows the range to office-ready shapes. Sizes shown are Australian, with the local equivalent listed beside each size on the product page, so check the size guide before you choose. Standard shipping to the United States is USD 14.99 and free on orders over USD 150, delivery takes 3 to 9 business days, and duties and tax are added at checkout.
Frequently asked questions
What sizes does Forcast carry?
Forcast apparel is made in Australian sizes 4 to 18, or XXS to XXL, and footwear in Australian sizes 4 to 10. Bust, waist and hip measurements for every size, along with UK, US and EU conversions, are on our size guide.
How long do I have to return an online order?
Online orders can be returned within 30 days of the order date, and in-store purchases within 14 days. Items must be unworn with all tags attached and accompanied by proof of purchase, and a return request has to be lodged before the item is sent back. Full-price items are eligible for a refund, an in-store exchange or store credit; permanently reduced items are eligible for store credit or an in-store exchange. The conditions and exclusions are set out in our return policy.
How long does delivery take within Australia?
Standard delivery is $9.99, and free on Australian orders over $100. Orders are dispatched within 1 to 2 business days, then take 1 to 3 business days to metro areas and 3 to 7 business days to rural areas. Express delivery is $12.99. Every rate and timeframe, including New Zealand and international, is on our shipping and delivery page.