Formal dresses for evenings with a dress code

Velvet, satin or lurex under evening light

Velvet first. Its pile is soft and dense, so black looks deep and burgundy or emerald look even richer once the lights go down. People often call it velour, and it’s the same fabric. A few of our velvet styles stretch, like the chocolate brown wrap mini and the floor-length gowns with one sleeve and a slit, which makes them easy to sit and dance in.

Lurex is a knit with metallic thread, and it glints every time you move. The blue wrap midi has a tie belt that holds the waist. On the purple styles the shine does all the work, so skip big jewelry.

Satin is the sleek one. The red slip mini has thin straps and a deep V, and you’ll want a strapless or stick-on bra under it.

Long, midi or mini for the invitation you got

A black tie wedding, an awards night or a charity ball usually means long, and here that’s maxi or floor-length velvet with a slit, one sleeve or bare shoulders. Heels go under a long hem, and a small bag is enough. For a concert, a play or dinner with clients, a midi formal dress with a high neck covers you up and still looks festive, and instead of a necklace you can just wear earrings. The mini is for cocktail hour and for the night that starts at the office and ends at a restaurant.

Still unsure about the dress code? Look through the black tie looks and the full-length evening dresses, then come back for the length.

Sleeves and necklines for a cold venue

Most styles here have long sleeves. That’s handy in January, when the hall is drafty and you don’t feel like wearing a wrap all night. Off-shoulder and one-shoulder cuts show some skin and keep your arms warm at the same time. Turtleneck and stand collar velvet is the coziest formal dress for a winter gala. We cut it all from XS to XL, so if you’re a US 6 or 8, you’re our M.

Frequently asked questions

What shoes go with a floor-length velvet gown?

Heels, so the hem clears the floor. Pick the pair before you decide on the length.

Can I wear the same dress to the office party and dinner after?

A long-sleeve velvet mini handles both. Add a blazer for the office and take it off at the restaurant.

What if I’m between two sizes?

Start with the measurements table on the dress itself. Still torn? Send your measurements to our manager and we’ll help you pick.

How should I wash lurex?

By hand or on a delicate cycle in a laundry bag, cool water, no bleach. Don’t wring it. Lay it flat somewhere out of the sun, and leave the iron in the closet.