Black party dresses for New Year, clubs and birthdays

A black party dress is the thing you grab at eight o’clock and still make it out the door by nine. On this page you’ll find our black velvet, lurex knit and rib knit cuts in one place, from short minis to gowns that touch the floor.

New Year in velvet, a birthday in rib

Midnight on December 31 usually means velvet. Our short velvet style with a round neck and long sleeves hugs the body, and the closed top keeps bare legs from feeling like too much. Going clubbing, or out to dinner just the two of you? There’s a strappy velvet mini for that. Throw a jacket over your shoulders on the way and take it off once you’re inside.

Birthday drinks at a bar are easier in rib knit. Wear the turtleneck mini to work first, with thick tights and a blazer. Then lose the blazer.

The rib midi with a stand collar is quiet at your desk. Its leg slit takes care of the evening.

When the invitation mentions a dress code

A gala, an anniversary or an awards night wants length, and that’s where our black velvet gown with a boat neck and a high slit comes in, cut all the way to the floor and needing almost no jewelry. The one-sleeve velvet maxi works the same way. Leave the necklace at home. One bare shoulder is plenty.

Lurex is for dancing. Our lurex midi leaves the shoulders open and ends in a slit at the leg, and the metallic thread picks up every light in the room. Its sleeves reach the wrist. Wear a strapless bra underneath and heels with thin straps. For more shine in the same color, look through our black styles with sparkle.

A black party dress that sits close to the body needs a quick test at home. Sit down. Raise a glass, or at least your arm. An off-shoulder neckline should stay put, and a slit should open when you walk, not while you’re standing still. We make everything here in XS to XL, roughly US 2 to US 12. The lurex midi has some stretch, so with that one stay with your usual size.

Prefer depth to shine? The black velvet page has the winter evening cuts, and party looks in other colors are right next door.

Frequently asked questions

Is a black party dress okay for the office party?

Sure, just go for a midi. The sheath with three-quarter sleeves and a round neck works at the table with your coworkers and again at a meeting the next week. More ideas live on the office holiday party page.

Tights or bare legs with a velvet mini?

In winter, tights. Sheer black for evening, opaque for a bar.

What do I wear to a summer party in black?

The black minis with red flowers or polka dots come back with the warm collection in March. The polka dot one pairs bare shoulders with long sleeves and a ruffled hem.