Dress for winter ball, winter ball dress in velvet

A dress for winter ball night has two jobs, keeping you warm on the walk in and looking right under the chandeliers. Almost everything here is velvet with long sleeves, and the only real decision is how long you want the dress. Winter balls run late, the coat check line is longer than you’d think, and nobody enjoys cold arms at one in the morning.

Floor-length velvet in deep colors

If the ticket says formal, go long. Our floor-length velvet comes in deep shades, burgundy and emerald among them, and some of those gowns have a slit so you can walk without kicking the hem. The navy mermaid hugs you down to the knee and then opens up. You can actually climb the stairs to the ballroom in it. For bare shoulders, look at the inky navy one, draped off the shoulder with three-quarter sleeves.

Candles and chandeliers are where velvet looks richest. Take your photos there, not under the lobby lights.

Try it on in your real shoes. Long hems are only right at one heel height, and a gown that’s perfect in sneakers will drag on the floor once you stand up in heels you haven’t worn since last year.

Midi and knee-length for dancing

Planning to dance until the band packs up? A shorter hem helps. Our velvet midis with a slit give your knee room on the dance floor. We also pleat velvet into midis, and they swing out on every turn. The white one is lovely on a snowy night. For a skirt that flares without pleats, there’s knee-length velvet cut as a half circle.

Then there’s the cold. Snow outside. Heels on. Taxi late. Wear boots for the walk and carry the heels in a tote. A long coat should cover the hem, so pick one past the knee for a maxi. With a midi it doesn’t matter as much.

If you’re torn on a dress, winter ball photos tend to look best in a deep shade like burgundy. More cuts are among our velvet dresses, and for a dinner or gala with a stricter code, check the formal winter looks.

Frequently asked questions

Can I go short to a winter ball?

It depends on the card. For black tie it’s floor-length, no exceptions, while a formal or festive invite leaves room for a velvet midi or even a long-sleeve mini.