Slit black dresses that stay covered everywhere else

Here’s how we build a slit black dress. Cover the arms, close the neckline or lift it into a collar, and let one opening at the leg do the daring part. We cut that idea in rib knit for daytime and in velvet for evenings, from knee length down to the floor.

Rib knit midis with a slit, from desk to dinner

These are the everyday ones. Each of the black rib midis has long sleeves and a high neck, either a turtleneck or a stand collar, and the slit shows only when you walk. It also frees your stride, so a narrow midi stays comfortable from morning on.

By day, we’d wear one with chunky boots and a long coat. After work, change into heeled ankle boots. Under the slit we’d go for black tights with no shine. Your neck is covered, so one long chain worn on top of the collar is enough.

Rib fits tightly and shows your real size. At the fitting, check that the knit doesn’t pull across your hips, since that’s what makes a slit gape.

Velvet with a slit for evenings, midi or floor length

Evening is velvet’s hour. The plainest version is a black velvet midi whose neckline is round and whose sleeves run full length, with nothing bold on it except that one slit. We’d send it to a concert or a cocktail party with stilettos and long earrings.

Want more drama? Our floor-length velvet leaves the collarbones bare under a boat neckline, and its slit is cut high, parting each time you step. You can walk and dance in it freely, which isn’t true of every long dress. Then there’s a fitted floor-length style with bare shoulders. Wear your hair up with that one and skip the necklace.

Two more sit in between. One is a velvet midi whose draping turns into a slit on one side, under bare shoulders. On the other, a lurex knit midi, the fabric glitters in any light, so we’d carry a matte bag. And for all seasons there’s a knee-length dress with slits, long sleeves and an off-shoulder neckline.

Shoes, hems and getting the size right

A slit puts your shoes on display. That’s the first thing to plan. Patent or metallic heels look good in the opening of a long dress, and a heel keeps the hem off the floor.

Always try the floor-length styles in the exact pair you’ll wear. For size, measure bust and hips, because when both match the chart the slit lies flat. Every slit black dress here is sewn in five sizes, XS up to XL (roughly UK 6–16).

From here, compare cuts among all our black dresses, see slit styles in every color, or stay long with the maxis that open at the leg.