Short royal blue dresses in velvet, rib knit and shimmer

A short royal blue dress is what you reach for when you want color at a party but red feels like too much. We sew most of them as long-sleeved minis in velvet, and a couple in rib knit for ordinary days. In the UK you’d probably type royal blue short dresses, and it’s the same rack.

Velvet minis for birthdays and winter parties

Blue velvet does the decorating for you. Its pile catches lamp light, so none of these need sequins. Our turtleneck mini is 88 cm long, measured from the shoulder, and it covers neck and arms completely, which lets the hem stay short even at a formal dinner. It travels well too. That velvet doesn’t need ironing, so you can pack it for a celebration in another city.

Like a pattern? Two minis are cut from marble velvet, where the swirl shifts as you move. One has a stand collar and a length of 87 cm, and its dense velvet stretches well and sits close to the body. Go by your hip measurement when you size that one.

The wrap mini lets you adjust the depth of the V a little. There’s also a one-sleeve cut with the other shoulder bare, and for that you’ll want a strapless bra. Silver is the metal we’d put next to this blue. Gold looks heavier on it.

Rib knit and shimmer beyond the party

Not every short royal blue dress is for a party. Our wrap in rib knit comes with a V-neck, a flared skirt that doesn’t squeeze the hips and long sleeves that widen toward the wrist. It’s a warm fabric. Wear it to work with loafers, then switch to suede ankle boots for the evening.

Our second rib mini has a small cutout at the chest and a close fit, so choose smooth underwear without lace. Sneakers and a denim jacket work on Saturday, pumps at night.

For an office party, look at the shimmering wrap mini. Its knit sparkles under light, the waist is draped, and the round neck and long sleeves keep shoulders and arms covered. And in summer? We sew one knee-length wrap in polka-dot satin with short sleeves and ruffles.

Tights, coats and the size to order

Nearly all of these end well above the knee, so we’d add tights in the cold months. Thin black ones suit a restaurant, and opaque ones with tall boots are for the street. A short coat keeps the hem in view.

We cut every style in XS to XL. If you’re around a US 6 or 8, that’s our M. Still deciding on length? See everything we sew in royal blue or stay with blue velvet.