Formal mini dress in velvet wraps and lurex knit

Picture a winter birthday dinner where everyone else turns up in black trousers and you walk in wearing short burgundy velvet with one bare shoulder. That’s what a formal mini dress is for, a dressy night with plenty of leg and, in most of our styles, long sleeves that keep your arms warm. We cut them mostly from velvet, with some lurex knit, angora-blend and satin in the mix.

One shoulder, one sleeve, nothing around the neck

Our one-sleeve velvet minis come in blue, burgundy and emerald, and they fit close to the body. A long sleeve on one side, a bare shoulder on the other. That shoulder does all the work here, which means a necklace would only get in the way. Gold hoops with the burgundy. With the blue, go silver for the earrings and the bag.

Underneath you’ll want a bra without straps, or with clear ones. When you try it on, reach up high, as if for a top shelf, and see whether the bare side stays put.

High collars for a stricter room

Some evenings ask for more cover on top. A theater night, dinner with his parents, a company party with your boss at the next table. For those there’s the short emerald velvet with a stand collar, and a marsala velvet mini with a high neckline and sleeves in an unusual cut. That one’s 88 cm long.

With a collar that high, put your hair up and let the neck show. Sheer black tights, heels, gold earrings. A formal mini dress with a closed neckline doesn’t need anything louder than that, and for the trip there, a straight coat.

Lurex, satin and thin straps once the music starts

New Year’s Eve and the office party are where the shine comes in. Our emerald lurex wrap has a V-neck and a belt you tie at the waist to set the fit, and there are lurex wraps in black and powder pink too. Matte black tights and pumps. Lurex sparkles in daylight as well, and with a blazer and plain ankle boots the emerald one works at an afternoon party.

For a cocktail party or a date, a formal mini dress can go barer. There are velvet minis on thin straps in black and emerald, plus a red satin slip with a deep V. Leave a big boxy blazer or short fur on top until the dancing starts. Stilettos. One thin chain. If you want even more glitter, have a look at our short styles with sparkle.

Frequently asked questions

Is a mini dressy enough for a cocktail dress code?

In velvet or lurex with long sleeves, yes. A black tie gala is another story, and that’s where you’d want a long gown.

Will short velvet be warm enough in January?

Pick a style that covers your arms, wear thick tights and a coat that goes past the hem. You’ll be fine.

Which size if I’m between two?

These sit close to the body. Take the larger one if it’s your hips that fall between sizes. Our range starts at XS and stops at XL, where XL roughly equals a US 12.

Where do I find more short dresses?

Every hem above the knee, in all our fabrics, is on the mini dresses page. If covered arms matter most, go straight to the minis with long sleeves.