Long formal dresses with sleeves in deep velvet

A long formal dress with sleeves solves the January problem of looking dressed up without freezing on the way from the car. All of ours are velvet, and they reach maxi length or the floor. Most have a slit.

Velvet for a drafty hall and a long dinner

Winter weddings are rarely warm. The church is cold, the photographer wants everyone outside, and dinner goes on until midnight. In a long formal dress with sleeves to the wrist, you won’t spend that evening clutching a shawl.

Take the burgundy maxi. Its slit opens only when you step, so standing in the receiving line your leg’s covered. Patent or suede heels in the same wine tone. One piece of jewelry, a big one.

Our emerald gown has a round neck and the slit on the left leg. Watch it under changing light, it shifts from dark green to something brighter. Gold earrings.

Black velvet with a boat neck is the one for a restaurant with an evening dress code. The slit’s high. Wear shoes with some shine to them, patent or metallic, and long earrings for the collarbones.

The quietest choice is the navy mermaid. Round neck, long sleeves, fitted to the knee and then wider. Silver with it, never gold.

One bare shoulder, or both, with the arms still covered

Some of these show skin up top and keep your arms warm anyway. The black off-shoulder maxi has full-length sleeves, which makes it a good long formal dress with sleeves for an awards night in a cold venue. Pick a thin necklace or big earrings. Not both.

On the one-sleeve gowns, one arm is covered and one shoulder’s open. The red one is cut from dense velvet that stretches well, and it lies smooth along your body. As for the white, it’s for your own day, the registry office or a wedding shoot, with champagne heels and a white faux fur coat for leaving.

Three-quarter sleeves come on several off-shoulder gowns, in burgundy, emerald and white, and on the draped one in dark navy. Your wrists stay free there, and that’s the spot for a bracelet or a watch.

You’ll need heels under every one of them. Getting into a car is the tricky part. Sit first, swing both legs in together, and gather the hem off the slush. For the whole range, open our evening gown collection, or read up on dressing as a guest at a December wedding.

Frequently asked questions

Can I wear the white gown to a friend’s wedding?

We’d say no. The white gowns are meant for brides, engagements and photo shoots.

Do I need a wrap with long sleeves?

Usually not indoors. Velvet with full sleeves keeps you warm. For the street, though, wear a coat past the knee.

What if my hips and bust fall in two different sizes?

On the slit gowns, go with your hips. That’s what keeps the slit lying flat when you walk. We cut each one in XS to XL. Send our manager your numbers if you’re unsure.

Where are the other long dresses with sleeves?

Casual and evening ones together are on the long-sleeve maxi page.