Burgundy velvet crew neck dress in burgundy

The crew neck closes the chest completely while the sleeveless cut keeps the dress from feeling heavy in a warm room. That combination is what lets a velvet dress work at a work party as easily as at a private one.

The velvet is described as slightly stretchy, which is what stops a fitted A-line from pulling across the hip the moment you sit down. It also means the dress goes on without a fastening to wrestle with.

A full lining keeps the velvet off tights and gives the skirt a cleaner line than the cloth would hold on its own. Lining is the first thing dropped when corners get cut on velvet, so its presence here is worth noting.