Black long sleeve floor-length dresses in velvet

Each black long sleeve floor length dress on this page is velvet, and that’s on purpose. Velvet gives black a depth that needs no sparkle. If you’d type long sleeve black maxi dress into a UK search, you’ve landed in the same place.

Bare shoulders, a boat neck or a slit

The choice comes down to where you’d like to show some skin. One maxi leaves the shoulders open while the sleeves cover your arms to the wrist, so you get the neckline without the chill. Pin your hair up for it. A thin necklace works, or skip it and let large earrings do the job.

Prefer your shoulders covered? The boat-neck style shows only the collarbones. It has a high slit that opens with every step, which is why you can dance in something this long. We sew it for office parties, proms and restaurants with an evening dress code.

Another cut puts both ideas together. It’s fitted through the waist, open at the shoulders and split at the leg. And the plainest maxi of the group has just the slit, with sleeves long enough that you can skip a shawl at a winter party.

Heels, hem and the fitting

Your shoes will show. With a slit that’s a given, so pick patent heels or a pair with a metallic finish. Then try the dress on in that exact pair, because floor length is right only when the hem just clears the ground.

Now the size. Put your bust and hip measurements next to the ones in our chart. When the two agree with it, the slit lies straight. On the fitted off-shoulder cut look at the waist as well, since it should sit without a wrinkle. We make every black long sleeve floor length dress from XS to XL.

Getting black velvet to the event in one piece

Outerwear first. A little fur jacket, or a coat that wraps like a robe, comes off fast at the coat check and doesn’t flatten the fabric on the way.

Creases? Steam them from the wrong side before you leave the house. An iron pressed onto the pile leaves a mark.

Planning photos? Stand in front of a background lighter than the dress and your outline comes out sharp, since velvet this black doesn’t throw light back at the camera.