Black evening ball dresses with long sleeves or a bare shoulder

Picking a black evening ball dress here mostly means picking a length of black velvet, from a short cut with one sleeve up to a gown that sweeps the floor. We also sew rib knit midis with a high collar and a lurex midi that catches every light in the room.

Going long for a black tie ball

Black tie on the card? We’d reach for our boat-neck velvet, cut long enough to brush the floor. Sleeves run to the wrist, and the slit opens only when you take a step. You can waltz in it. The off-shoulder maxi is the warmer-looking sister, with dense velvet and soft pile that keeps the black deep even under dim chandeliers.

There’s also a maxi with one sleeve to the wrist and the other shoulder left bare. It doesn’t want a necklace. Put your hair in a low knot instead, so the shoulder line stays clean.

A long hem needs a heel to stay off the parquet. Wear the exact shoes you’ve planned for the night at your fitting, walk a few steps and check where the hem lands. Want more long black styles side by side? Our formal black gowns sit on one page.

Midi and mini cuts in black for a winter or college ball

Plenty of balls are happy with a shorter dress. A black evening ball dress in velvet with a V-neck ends below the knee and leaves room at the collarbones for a pendant on a fine chain. One of our velvet midis has a flared skirt that moves softly as you dance. Plain pumps suit it, so the skirt gets the attention.

Cold venue, long walk from the car? Then go for the velvet midi with a turtleneck collar. It covers your neck and arms, so big earrings or a wide bracelet take over from jewelry at the throat. Our black rib knit turtleneck with a leg slit hugs the waist and hips. Change your shoes and it’ll go from an afternoon reception to the evening dance.

If you’d like shine, the lurex midi is knit with metallic thread, has open shoulders, draping and a slit. It stretches. More velvet in this color lives among our black velvet cuts.

Frequently asked questions

Will black look flat in ballroom photos?

Not in velvet. It soaks up the flash instead of bouncing it back, so the color stays rich. Stand against a lighter wall and your outline shows clearly.

Which size should I order for a fitted velvet gown?

Take your bust and hip measurements and check both numbers in the size grid on each dress page. We make each style in XS to XL. On slit gowns, go by the hips so the slit lies flat.