Off-shoulder mini dresses for terraces and party nights
Bare shoulders and a short hem are what an off shoulder mini dress is about. It puts your collarbones and shoulders on show and keeps the hem well above the knee, and we make it two ways. Some have a neckline that runs straight across both shoulders, the cut you’d call a mini bardot dress in London, and in others the neckline runs on a slant, leaving one shoulder open while a sleeve goes down the opposite arm.
Getting the shoulder line to sit where it should
Fit starts at the bust, not the waist. If that measurement’s right, the line across your shoulders lies flat and won’t slide down your arms, so check it against the size table before anything else. We cut each one from XS to XL.
On the one-shoulder velvet styles, try this at the fitting. Lift both arms over your head, then reach for something on a high shelf. Does the open side stay put? Then it’s your size. You’ll want a strapless bra under it.
Have broad shoulders or a full bust? The bardot line actually helps. It narrows the top visually, and our black polka-dot mini adds long sleeves that cover the arms while the shoulders stay bare.
Cotton for July, velvet for December
For summer we sew most of these in muslin, a thin cotton that stays light in the heat. Small cornflowers, pink blossoms or a tiny black print sit on a white ground. If you choose the black print, wear black sandals with it, since they echo the pattern and keep the white looking clean. There’s also a white linen one for the beach and a white mini in a soft, thin knit that barely creases, which makes it the easiest to pack. These belong to our summer collection.
Cold-season nights get velvet. The red and black one-sleeve minis hug the figure, and the beige velvet bardot has three-quarter sleeves, so your wrists are free for a bracelet. Leave the necklace off with every style on this page. One bold earring on the bare side is plenty.
Frequently asked questions
What do I wear over an off shoulder mini dress when it’s cold?
A short jacket you can drop over your shoulders at the door, or a camel coat over velvet. Both come off easily, so the neckline isn’t hidden all night.
Which style isn’t tied to a season?
The red one-sleeve mini. Sandals in summer, black tights and ankle boots in winter.
Does muslin wrinkle?
It crumples slightly in the wash. That’s how this fine cotton is, and a steamer smooths it in a minute.
Where can I see longer styles?
Every length is on our bardot dresses page. If you know your color, go to black styles with bare shoulders or white ones.
