Cocktail black dresses from velvet minis to midis

Thin straps and one sleeve for a crowded bar

Our velvet mini on thin straps is the one for a club or a dinner for two. Shoulders out, a short hem, and that deep black you only get from a pile. In January, throw a short faux fur or a roomy blazer on top and leave it on the chair once the music gets loud. A thin chain is all the jewelry it needs.

The one-sleeve velvet mini shows a single shoulder. Skip the necklace. Heels, loose waves, a tiny bag, and you’re out the door.

Under straps, wear seamless underwear with clear straps. Honestly, that small detail matters more than the shoes.

When dinner has a dress code and your aunt is coming

A midi feels right at a restaurant table with older relatives. Our velvet one with a V-neck stops below the knee and opens up the collarbones, and a pendant on a fine chain or long earrings finish it. In real cold, wear a coat that’s longer than the hem.

Want to cover up more? The velvet turtleneck midi closes at the neck and wrists, and it’s the cocktail black dress we’d send to the theater or a work dinner with mid-heel pumps and big earrings. Your neck’s covered anyway.

For dancing, there’s a velvet midi with a slit on the leg. Stilettos show the slit off. Sheer tights or none.

The black rib turtleneck midi has a slit too, and it goes from a desk to drinks with one change of shoes, chunky boots off and heeled ankle boots on. If you’d like more options in one color, see every black dress we make.

Red and light blue flowers on black satin

The warm side of this page is printed. One satin mini has small red flowers and ruffles at the hem, the other has light blue flowers and bare shoulders, and both are 98 % polyester with a little elastane that gives when you sit down to eat on a terrace that’s still warm at ten at night. Red or black heeled sandals pick up the red print. With the blue one, silver earrings.

We also make a polka dot mini with bare shoulders, long sleeves and a ruffled hem. A little retro. These are summer styles and come back to the catalog with the warm weather.

Frequently asked questions

Won’t velvet be too warm in a packed bar?

Take the strappy mini. With your shoulders bare, you won’t overheat.

Mini or midi for a cocktail black dress code?

Either one. The mini’s more fun at a club, and the midi looks more grown-up at a family dinner. For other colors, there are cocktail styles beyond black, and the shorter black hemlines live on their own page.

Which size works in the strappy velvet mini?

Go by your bust, so the straps don’t dig in and the top sits straight. We cut every style from XS to XL, and the size table on each dress lists the measurements.

Can I wash velvet at home?

Yes. Inside out, water no warmer than 30 °C, then onto a hanger. Steam the inside instead of ironing the pile.