Long elegant dress with sleeves, floor-length velvet

Winter invitations get simpler with a long elegant dress with sleeves, because the gown and the warmth arrive in one piece. Ours are all velvet, maxi or down to the floor, in black, burgundy, navy, emerald, red and white. The quickest way to choose is by the evening ahead of you.

A guest at a winter wedding

Afraid you’ll freeze through the ceremony? Our blue boat-neck gown, sleeved to the wrist, was made for exactly that worry. Its velvet is dense and warm, so the wrap can stay in the cloakroom while you’re in the hall. Silver earrings suit the blue.

The navy mermaid gown is the more dramatic guest. It hugs you to the knee, and from there the skirt opens out, which is what makes walking easy. Size that one by your hips. If there’s dancing, think about the burgundy maxi, where the slit only opens as you step and nothing holds your stride back.

Anniversaries, galas and the office party

Here you can show more. Emerald velvet with a round neck is slit over the left leg, and its pile shifts from dark green to brighter as the light changes. Gold jewelry looks warm on it. The burgundy version of that cut is one we sew for restaurant evenings. Try it on, take a short walk around the room, and sit.

What if you’d like bare shoulders without the chill? Our black maxi leaves the shoulder line open and still covers your arms to the wrist. For an awards night there’s red velvet with a single sleeve. Its asymmetry is decoration enough, so earrings alone will do.

White velvet for your own day

We keep white for the woman the day belongs to. One gown has open shoulders and a three-quarter sleeve, and it’s a good pick for an engagement or a wedding photo shoot. The other has a single sleeve and suits a civil ceremony. Champagne heels will show through the slit.

Whatever the color, put on the heels you’ve planned for the night before you judge the length. And the pile should never meet an iron. A steamer on the reverse side does the job.

Frequently asked questions

Do all of them have full-length sleeves?

Most do. Our off-shoulder gowns stop at three-quarter in emerald, white and burgundy, and a few styles have one sleeve only.

Can I dance in a gown that reaches the floor?

Yes. Most of these gowns have a slit that opens as you move. Wear a heel so the hem clears the ground.

I’m between two sizes. Which one?

We make each long elegant dress with sleeves in XS to XL. On the burgundy one-sleeve gown the velvet stretches, so the smaller size usually fits. For the others, send our manager your bust and hip measurements.

Where else should I look?

More floor-length ideas are on the long elegant page. You might also like our evening gowns with long sleeves, the winter wedding guest selection and elegant evening styles.