Purple evening gowns, from deep violet to lavender

Violet lurex for a night with a dance floor

Our two violet dresses share one fabric, a jersey knit shot with lurex, and they shimmer every time you move. Both have a round neck and long sleeves, and both sit close to the body. The midi is the one we’d call nearest to a gown. Its knit gives, so a seated New Year’s dinner and an hour of dancing are both fine. We’d add sandals in silver or graphite and a little clutch. Cold outside? A black coat goes over the top.

The mini is the same idea, only shorter. Pick it for a birthday at a club or a New Year’s party. Because the fabric already sparkles, keep jewelry small, say a pair of silver hoops. Seamless underwear matters under a knit this snug.

Lavender velvet and lilac pleats, the softer end of purple

Not everyone wants glitter. The lavender velvet midi covers you up top with a round neck and long sleeves, then opens in a slit on the leg when you walk. That’s the whole trick. We’d wear it to the theater or to a restaurant birthday with silver earrings and gray or nude heels, since a thin heel shows the slit best. Sheer nude tights won’t argue with the velvet.

The lilac pleated dress is a midi too, with a round neck and tiny folds that swing with each step. It’s the one for a place where people dance. Low heels and silver jewelry suit it at night, and by day it’s happy with a jean jacket and white sneakers. Pleats and a flat iron don’t get along, so freshen the folds with a steamer on low heat.

Getting the size right when the fit is close

The lurex dresses hug the figure. Take three measurements before ordering, bust, waist and hips, and write them down. For the velvet, send us your measurements if you’re unsure and we’ll help you choose. We cut all of these in XS to XL, and XL is roughly a US 12.

Still want a hem that reaches the floor? Our full evening gown page has longer styles in other colors, and every violet and lilac shade we make is in the purple dress section.

Frequently asked questions

Do you have a floor-length purple evening gown?

Not at the moment. The longest purple styles here are midis. For a hem that sweeps the ground, look at our floor-length gowns.

Is a midi dressy enough for an evening dress code?

For a dinner, a theater night or an anniversary party, yes. Add heels and put your hair up so the neckline and shoulders show. Strict black tie is a different story, and there we’d point you to a longer dress.

What tights go with purple lurex?

Matte nude or sheer black. Shiny tights next to a sparkling knit are too much.

Can I wear lilac to someone else’s graduation party?

You can. The shade is soft, so it won’t pull attention from the graduate.