Sexy evening dresses with slits, bare shoulders and velvet

Dinner for two, a concert, a late table

Take the black velvet midi with a slit. Sleeves to the wrist and a round neckline keep it closed up top, so the slit is the only bold thing about it. Show it off with stilettos.

The ribbed turtleneck midi goes further in the same direction. Its collar reaches your chin, the sleeves are long, and the rib follows your waist and hips closely. Then you take a step and the slit opens. We’d wear it to the office with heavy boots and a long coat, then change into heeled ankle boots for the evening. Matte black tights are right for that slit.

Want bare shoulders at the restaurant? Our draped black velvet midi has them, plus a three-quarter sleeve that leaves your wrist free for a thin bracelet. The drape runs into a side slit. When you try it on, see that the drape lies flat on your hip and the shoulders don’t slide.

Birthdays and parties where you’ll dance

For a night like that we’d reach for the red velvet mini with one sleeve. One shoulder is out, the other arm is covered, and lamplight makes red velvet look even richer. Thin black tights suit the short hem. Your bust measurement picks the size here. A lopsided neckline only works if it grips the shoulder while you move.

Prefer some shine? The black lurex midi is a knit with metallic thread, cut with open shoulders, a drape and a leg slit, and it glitters in any light. Carry a matte bag with it. You’ll need a strapless bra.

When the invitation says gown

A sexy evening gown, as it’s more often called in Britain, is our velvet that reaches the floor, single-sleeved and slit at the leg. The burgundy one shows a shoulder and a leg without looking revealing. That velvet is thick, with a lot of give, so the gown sits evenly on the body and doesn’t hold you back on the dance floor. We also sew this silhouette in powder pink and in champagne gold.

Wear heels, or the hem will sweep the floor. Nearly everything on this page is a cold-season dress, so think winter parties and not July. Next, compare more cuts on the main page of sexy dresses, or go long with our evening gowns.

Frequently asked questions

Is a covered-up dress still sexy?

It can. A close fit and a single slit do more than a lot of bare skin. That’s the idea behind the styles gathered under dresses with a slit.

Do I need a necklace with one bare shoulder?

No. Earrings will do, or put a bracelet on the arm that’s uncovered. See the full range of one-shoulder cuts if that neckline is your favorite.

Which size do I take if I’m between two?

In the stretchy velvet gowns, the smaller one usually fits. If you’re unsure, compare both your bust and your hip numbers with our chart first. We sew XS to XL.

Is black the safest color for the evening?

It’s the easiest to dress up. We keep those styles together under black and sexy.