Satin Tunics for Women: The Edit

Satin is the quickest way to make a tunic look like evening wear: the sheen does the work that embroidery would otherwise do. The seven here, designed by Ramola Bachchan in polyester satin, come in two very different cuts. Four are loose asymmetric tunics with kaftan sleeves and a gota lace border, made for dinners and festive evenings. Three are neater and more tailored, with a collar, full sleeves and a little crystal detail, for smart-casual days and drinks after work.

Asymmetric tunics with a gota border, for evenings

These four share one cut: a loose V-neck tunic with kaftan sleeves that fall into long points at the sides, edged all the way round with a band of gota lace. Worn over slim trousers, the hem drapes past the hips and the border frames the whole outfit, so you need very little jewellery.

The black tunic with a gold border is the most classic of the four. Wear it with black straight trousers and nude or gold heels, and let the border stand in for a necklace.

The midnight blue tunic carries the same gold border on a deep navy satin. It holds its colour well under evening light, so it is a good choice for a cocktail party or a dinner out. Keep everything else dark, with black trousers and gold heels.

The russet tunic is the warmest colour here, a rust-brown satin with the gold border. It suits festive-season dinners, worn with fitted black trousers and gold jewellery so the border along the edge stays visible.

The ecru tunic swaps the gold for a dusty rose border on a soft neutral base. It is the easiest of the four to dress down: with ivory trousers and flats it works for a daytime celebration, and with heels and gold jewellery for an evening.

Tailored satin tunics, for smart-casual days

The other three are cut closer to the body, with a collar and full sleeves, and the detail is a small amount of crystal work rather than a border. They look more like a shirt or a soft jacket than a kaftan, which makes them easier to wear to work.

The old rose tunic has a shirt collar, a regular fit and full sleeves gathered with ties, with crystal embellishment at the neckline. Wear it over white straight trousers; the neckline means you can skip a necklace.

The hazel brown tunic has a lapel collar, a fitted shape and a drawstring at the waist, with crystal embellishment on the cuffs. It reads almost like a blazer, so pair it with black tailored trousers for a semi-formal dinner, with statement earrings and nothing at the neck.

The lilac tunic is the same tailored cut in a soft purple. Leave it open over a camisole for a meeting, or close it and pull in the drawstring for drinks after work, with ivory trousers.

How to wear satin

Satin looks best with matte pieces around it, so pair these tunics with cotton, crepe or wool trousers rather than another shiny fabric. Keep the bottoms plain and in one colour, and let the tunic be the only thing that catches the light.

For more ways to style the fabric, see our satin styling guide, or browse every tunic.