Evening off shoulder dresses in velvet, from mini to floor

Gowns to the floor for a dress code

If you typed off shoulder evening gown, start with the black velvet maxi. Its sleeves are full length, so you can bare your shoulders in winter without shivering. It doesn’t need sequins. A short faux-fur jacket or a robe coat that’s easy to drop at the cloakroom covers you outside.

Burgundy and emerald also sweep the floor. Their sleeves are three-quarter and the skirt is slit. The slit shows your shoes at every step, which is a good reason to choose a thin heel, and the heel also lifts the hem off the ground. There’s a navy one with draping too, where soft folds gather across the velvet and the blue looks almost like ink in warm light.

White velvet at an evening reception? Yes, for an engagement party or your own civil ceremony. Not as a guest at someone else’s wedding.

One sleeve and one open shoulder

Part of this page is asymmetric. A long sleeve covers one arm while the opposite shoulder stays open, in red, burgundy, black or white, at floor length with a slit. The red and the burgundy are cut from dense velvet that stretches well, so they lie smooth over the body. Wear earrings and nothing at the neck.

Midi and mini for a restaurant birthday

Not every evening off shoulder dress has to sweep the floor. Our black velvet midi has draping that runs into a side slit, and its sleeve ends at three-quarter length, so a watch or a bracelet stays in view. The red pleated velvet midi is the dancer’s pick. Pleats don’t like pressure, though, so don’t crush it into a bag on the way.

One style is black jersey with lurex, a midi with long sleeves and a slit, for nights when you’d like shine and not pile. A beige velvet mini covers the softer end.

How do you keep the neckline up? Size by your bust. Then raise both arms at the fitting, and if the shoulder line slides, send us your measurements and we’ll help with the size. The range is XS to XL. Next, narrow it by length with off-shoulder maxis or midi cuts, or see the dressiest ones under formal off-shoulder styles and evening gowns.

Frequently asked questions

Which bra do I need for an evening off shoulder dress?

A strapless one. Try it on with the dress before the night, since straps would show at the neckline.

Necklace or earrings?

Earrings, long ones, with your hair up. The open shoulder line is already the decoration.

Aren’t bare shoulders freezing in December?

Less than you’d think. The velvet is dense and your arms are covered, and a stole handles the walk outside.

Does velvet need pressing before I go out?

Keep the iron off it. A steamer held to the wrong side lifts creases without flattening the pile.