Black off the shoulder short dresses for every season

Season decides which black off the shoulder short dress you’ll reach for. We sew printed ones for summer, velvet ones with a single sleeve for the cold months, and a knee-length style with slits that works all year. Start with the calendar.

Summer prints, polka dots or small blue flowers

Our polka-dot mini has long sleeves under an open neckline, plus ruffles along the hem. Dots on black feel a little retro. An open shoulder line also narrows the top visually, so this cut sits well if you have broad shoulders or a full bust.

Blue flowers on black are the lighter choice. This one has short sleeves. Its matte satin holds 2 % elastane next to 98 % polyester, enough stretch for sitting through dinner and then dancing. Flat sandals or white sneakers take it to a café. For a cool evening, a denim jacket is all you’ll add.

We make both for the summer season, so think of them when you plan warm-weather outfits.

Black velvet with one sleeve when it’s cold out

One shoulder bare, the other under a sleeve. Our two velvet minis are built on that asymmetry, and they barely need jewelry. Velvet is soft and soaks up light, which gives black its depth. We’d wear either to a party, a date or New Year’s dinner with sheer black tights and stiletto pumps.

Worried about the walk there? Take a straight coat that ends at the knee. Before you settle on a size, lift your arms at the fitting. Does the open side hold?

Knee length with slits, the one that ignores the weather

Not every black off the shoulder short dress has to be a mini. Ours with slits stops at the knee. Its long sleeves mean a chilly restaurant won’t send you hunting for a shawl. Wear strappy sandals with it in summer, then ankle boots and opaque black tights once it turns cold. For a work event, a short blazer on top hides the shoulders until you’d like them seen.

A necklace is too much with this neckline. Bold earrings and pinned-up hair do more. Longer hems are waiting on the black off-shoulder page.