Homecoming dresses off the shoulder in velvet

Fall dances belong to short hems, and an off shoulder homecoming dress gives a mini something to say up top. Most of ours are velvet with at least one sleeve, which you’ll be glad of on an October night. Homecoming comes with the start of the school year, so use this page to plan ahead.

Velvet minis that bare a single shoulder

This is the loudest cut we make for a school dance. On our red velvet mini one arm is sleeved and the opposite shoulder stays bare, and the fabric is dense and close to the body. Check your bust measurement before anything else. Black comes two ways, a velvet mini with one long sleeve and a little black dress that feels smooth against the skin all night.

Thin black tights and heels suit all three. Got a necklace picked out? Leave it home. That’s our advice, because one bigger earring on the bare side looks better than anything at the neck.

Knee-length cuts for girls who hate tugging at a hem

Homecoming dresses off the shoulder don’t have to be tiny. Our lilac velvet dress reaches the knee and has three-quarter sleeves, so it’s easy to dance in and it fills a full-length photo. Red velvet with dropped shoulders ends about the same place and has a small slit for moving. The black one with slits and long sleeves isn’t tied to a season. You’ll wear it again in December with booties and thick tights.

Want something softer? The beige velvet mini has three-quarter sleeves, and a bracelet sits nicely on the bare wrist.

What goes over a strapless neckline in October

An off shoulder homecoming dress needs a top layer you can drop at the door, so pick a short jacket or a cropped coat. Long scarves hide the whole point of the dress. Don’t bother with one. Velvet is dense, so once you’re inside the gym you won’t miss the jacket.

Frequently asked questions

Which bra works under bare shoulders?

A strapless one. Put it on under the dress a few days ahead and jump around a little. If it slips, swap it now.

Are the floral and polka dot styles right for homecoming?

They’re summer dresses, light and short-sleeved or ruffled at the hem. If your dance falls on a warm evening early in the fall, they’ll work. For a cold night, velvet is the better call.

What size should I take in a tight velvet mini?

Go by your bust and hips, not by your jeans. We sew XS to XL, and an S is about a US 4. If you’re between two, the bigger one keeps the neckline from sliding.

Where can I see more short dresses for the dance?

Every color and fabric is on the homecoming page, and the shortest hems are under short homecoming styles. If the neckline matters more than the occasion, try our off-shoulder minis. Or keep an off shoulder homecoming dress on your list and compare it with the one-shoulder mini group.