Black evening dresses from mini to floor length

Black tie, a theater seat or the midnight countdown

Say the invitation reads black tie and dinner starts at seven. That’s maxi territory. One velvet maxi bares both shoulders yet keeps both arms in sleeves, and another has a single sleeve, so the open shoulder does the job a necklace would. Want some leg? There’s a velvet maxi with a slit, plus a floor-length one with a boat neck that opens at the leg as you walk. Wear heels you actually like. They’ll show every time the slit opens.

The theater wants a quieter evening black dress. Our velvet turtleneck midi hides neck and arms completely, and under a coat it’s as warm as a sweater. Big earrings. No necklace.

New Year’s Eve is when the lurex comes out. It’s a knit with metal thread spun into it, and you’ll see the shine in a dim bar or under a camera flash. Our lurex midi is off the shoulder and fitted, with draping that runs into a slit. Long sleeves, too. That helps in the line for a cab at 1 a.m. For something short, the lurex wrap mini crosses into a V at the front, and we’d wear it with matte black tights and plain pumps.

Long dinners, rib knit and the chair test

A work dinner or a family anniversary means hours at the table, and a midi is the easy answer there. Our black rib turtleneck midi is slit at one leg and sits tight from the collar down. You’ll see your waist and hips in it. Wear seamless underwear. The stand-collar rib midi looks almost strict while you’re sitting and a lot less strict once you get up to dance.

Honestly, the mirror isn’t the whole fitting. Sit on a chair in the evening black dress you picked and reach for an imaginary glass. Pulling across the hips means you should go up a size. We cut every style on this page from XS to XL, and our L sits close to a US 10.

Not sure yet about the fabric? Compare more black velvet cuts side by side, or browse every black dress in the shop, day styles included.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get away with a mini at an evening party?

Unless the card says black tie, sure. We’d go with the round-neck velvet mini, the one with full-length sleeves. Short legs, covered arms. It still looks like evening.

What goes over a velvet maxi in winter?

A long coat that reaches past the hem. Then a metallic or patent clutch.

How do I wash black velvet?

Inside out in cool water on the delicate cycle, with no wringing. Afterward it goes on a hanger, nowhere near a heater, then steam the wrong side. An iron would flatten the pile.

Where are the summer styles in black?

The short ones with red flowers or polka dots are hidden for the cold months and come back in March. For a formal night right now, look at our gowns that reach the floor.