Black satin short dresses, plain or with a floral print

Here’s the honest part up front about our black satin short dress. Most of the styles we sew carry a small floral print on the black, and one wrap dress is plain. Every one of them is a mini in matte, silk-look satin.

The plain black wrap with long sleeves

If you came for solid black, start here. A wrap front lets you set the fit yourself, tighter at the waist or a little looser. That’s why it suits different figures. The satin is matte. It stretches softly and doesn’t shine, the V-neck draws the eye down, and long sleeves balance the short hem.

We’d wear it to a party with stiletto pumps and a thin chain with a pendant in the neckline. Off duty? Chunky boots and a leather jacket change the mood completely.

Roses, red flowers and a keyhole neck

Does a print still count as a little black dress? We think so, because the ground stays black and the flowers stay small. The long-sleeved mini with tiny roses is the dressiest of the group. It’s right for a party or a dinner with coworkers, and it takes ankle boots as easily as pumps. Another wrap style has roses as well, with short sleeves that finish in little ties.

Then there’s the black satin short dress with red flowers and a ruffle sewn along the hem, so the skirt moves as you walk. One more has a keyhole at the neck. It shows a little skin and doesn’t need a necklace. If you like flutter sleeves with a V-neck, we make that cut too, and it works with white sneakers by day and heeled sandals at night.

What this satin is and how to size it

Matte silk is our name for the fabric. It’s not natural silk, though. What you get is polyester satin with a smooth surface, and in several of these styles the mix is 98% polyester with 2% elastane. That small share of elastane gives the cloth a little stretch. Hand washing in cool water suits it, and the dryer doesn’t.

For size, go by your bust first. Each style runs XS to XL, and you’ll find the measurements in its size chart. Since these belong to the summer line, expect them back on the site come spring. In the meantime you can compare necklines here, then look at all our black satin or at short satin in brighter shades.

Frequently asked questions

Is this satin shiny?

Barely. It has a matte finish with a soft sheen on the printed styles, and the plain wrap doesn’t shine at all.

Can I wear a black satin short dress in the daytime?

Sure. White sneakers, a denim jacket and a crossbody bag take the printed ones to a walk or a coffee.

Which styles have long sleeves?

The plain wrap and the round-neck mini with small roses. The rest have short sleeves, and one of those leaves the shoulders bare. You’ll find it with our black florals.