White long dresses with sleeves, one shoulder or bare arms
For a civil ceremony, an engagement photo shoot or a long summer vacation, a white long dress from us comes in one of two very different fabrics. Velvet goes to the floor with a bare shoulder and a slit. Cotton muslin wraps into a maxi with short sleeves, made for heat.
Velvet for city hall and the photos after
White velvet looks warm, not icy. The soft pile gives it a deep sheen under lights, and on wedding photos a bouquet looks brighter against it. That’s the main reason we’d pick velvet over a smooth fabric for a registry office or a winter engagement.
Each of the three velvet styles has its own shoulder line. One is a maxi with a single sleeve and the other shoulder bare. Another sits off both shoulders, its sleeves end above the wrist, and there’s a leg slit on the side. A thin bracelet’s worth wearing with that one. The third pairs one long sleeve with a bare shoulder, a slit and a floor-length hem.
Wear your hair up. Skip the necklace. Long earrings balance an open shoulder better.
The slit shows your shoes, so choose thin heels in champagne or silver and walk a few steps at the fitting to see how it opens. Bring the exact pair you’ll wear on the day, since that’s how you’ll check the hem too. Outside in December, a light straight coat or a faux fur wrap goes on top until you’re indoors.
Muslin maxis for heat and sand
Thin cotton muslin is the opposite of velvet in almost every way. Light. Soft. Easy to wear on the hottest day of a beach trip. Our two muslin maxis wrap into a V-neck with short sleeves, one with a floral print and one with little pink hearts, and the wrap lets you adjust the waist.
Flat sandals, espadrilles and a wide straw hat look right with this white long dress. A denim jacket over the shoulders handles a cool evening by the water.
They’re summer styles, so they come back to the page when it warms up. Muslin goes in the machine on the delicate setting, alone or with other whites, then onto a hanger to dry.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wear white velvet to a reception that isn’t my wedding?
To a formal evening event, yes, it works. As a guest at someone else’s wedding, choose another color.
Bust or waist for the muslin wrap?
Measure your bust and choose from that, since the tie adjusts at the waist anyway. We sew them in XS to XL.
Does muslin need ironing?
It looks a little crinkled after a wash. That’s normal for this cotton, and a steamer is enough.
Do any white long styles have full sleeves?
One velvet style here has a full-length sleeve on one side. For more covered arms, see white dresses with long sleeves, our white maxi page or the full range of dresses in white.
