Winter maxi dress in velvet, long sleeves and slits

Dense velvet is what a winter maxi dress means in our workshop, with a skirt to the floor and, on most styles, a long sleeve. We don’t make knit maxis. If you pictured a sweater dress to the ankle, our knits stop at midi.

Warm enough without a wrap

Afraid of freezing at a winter wedding? We made the boat-neck gown in blue velvet for exactly that, and its sleeves reach the wrist. Dense velvet warms, and you can leave the stole at home once you know the hall is heated. The black, burgundy and emerald maxis with long sleeves and a leg slit work the same way, with your arms covered and a leg showing only when you step.

Outside is another matter. Go for a knee-covering coat or a long puffer, so the hem doesn’t hang out beneath a short jacket. Heels matter too, since they lift the skirt clear of your feet.

Bare shoulders in January

It sounds cold, and it’s less so than you’d expect. Our off-shoulder maxis balance the open neckline with a sleeve, either full or three-quarter, and the velvet does the rest indoors. The navy one has draping across the body and looks close to ink under warm lamps. We also sew one-sleeve gowns in red, burgundy, black and white.

White velvet is for your own engagement, a civil ceremony or a winter photo shoot. Don’t wear it to someone else’s wedding.

Getting the length right before the party

How long should a winter maxi dress be? That depends on your shoes. Put on the pair you’ve chosen, then the dress, walk across the room and sit down, and the hem shouldn’t drag. On the navy mermaid cut, which hugs to the knee and flares below, choose your size by your hips. For the off-shoulder styles it’s your bust that keeps the neckline in place.

We sew these in XS to XL as part of the cold-season line, so it makes sense to measure early, well ahead of the date on the invitation. Before you go out, steam any creases from the inside and run a soft brush over the pile. Compare more options in velvet maxis, maxis with long sleeves and all winter dresses. Warm knits to the calf are under midi sweater dresses.