Cowl Back Dresses: Open Back Evening Gowns to Wear Now

A cowl back dress is a dress whose back neckline falls in soft folds, leaving the back open. Jenny Packham’s new Showgirl does it in sequins, in Showgirl in Petrol and Showgirl in Tea Rose, and this edit at Coveti sets it beside cowl dresses from Schiaparelli, Rasario and Gemy Maalouf. For more gowns see designer evening gowns and old Hollywood glam dresses.

Key facts

• Search demand: “cowl back dress” 2,400 a month worldwide; “open back evening gown” 260
• Cowl back and cowl neck dresses in this edit: 9
• Price range at Coveti: $1,480 to $16,620
• The Jenny Packham Showgirl has a cowl at the front as well as a draped open back; it is 100% viscose and fits true to size
• Jenny Packham is the London eveningwear house the designer founded in 1988. It is known for hand applied beading on fluid grounds, and the Princess of Wales has worn at least eight of its dresses.

The Jenny Packham Showgirl

1. Jenny Packham Showgirl Dress in Petrol, $6,870

A softly draped cowl neckline, a sleeveless line, chevron embellishment that lengthens the body, and a dramatic open back framed by drapes. Petrol is a bright teal.

2. Jenny Packham Showgirl Dress in Tea Rose, $6,870

The same gown in Tea Rose, a pale pink that reads as silver pink under light.

Cowl dresses from other houses

3. Schiaparelli Cowl Backless Dress, $16,620

Schiaparelli’s cowl backless dress.

4. Schiaparelli Cowl Backless Dress in Silk, $15,325

The same Schiaparelli line in silk.

5. Rasario Devor velvet maxi dress with cowl back and train in Black, $4,710

Rasario’s devore velvet maxi with a cowl back and a train.

6. Rasario Viscose and silk midi dress with cowl back in Black, $3,240

A viscose and silk midi with a cowl back, also from Rasario.

7. Gemy Maalouf Cowl-Neckline Dress in Sequins, $8,520

Gemy Maalouf’s cowl neckline dress in sequins.

8. Needle and Thread Moonlight Sequin Cowl Neck Ankle Gown in Cocoa/Tawny, $1,480

A sequin cowl neck ankle gown from Needle and Thread.

9. LaPointe Coated Jersey Cowl Neck Gown, $1,697

LaPointe’s coated jersey cowl neck gown.

Fact matrix

Every cell comes from the Jenny Packham product page. Where the house does not publish a fact, the cell says “Not published by the house”.

How to wear a cowl back

The back is the point, so wear the hair up and keep the back of the neck clear. A long drop earring adds a line down the spine. Underwear has to be invisible: a stick on bra, since the back is open to the waist on most cowl backs. Choose a fine strap sandal so nothing competes with the drape.

Around the world

United Kingdom. An open back is a classic black tie choice in London, and a cowl reads as old Hollywood.

United States. In the US cowl backs are a staple of awards season and gala dressing.

The Gulf. In the Gulf, wear a cowl back gown with an evening jacket for the public part of the evening.

Europe. In Paris and Milan a cowl back in silk is a quiet, expensive look.

Frequently asked questions

What is a cowl back dress?

A dress with a draped back neckline that falls in soft folds and leaves the back open.

Does Jenny Packham make a backless dress?

Yes. The Showgirl has a draped open back, in Petrol and Tea Rose at $6,870.

What bra do you wear with a cowl back?

A stick on bra. Most cowl backs drop to the waist.

Is a cowl back dress black tie?

Yes, when it is floor length.

How does Jenny Packham sizing work?

Gowns are made in UK 6 to UK 20, and a UK 10 is a US 6 and an EU 38. Most styles fit true to size; the strapless Zane and Euphoria fit small, and the product page says so. See the Jenny Packham size guide for the full chart.

See also teal evening gowns and Jenny Packham pink dresses.

More Jenny Packham guides

Read who Jenny Packham is, then Jenny Packham red dresses, Jenny Packham pink dresses, Jenny Packham blue dresses, Jenny Packham gold dresses, Jenny Packham long sleeve dresses, Jenny Packham black dresses, Jenny Packham cape dresses, how much Jenny Packham dresses cost and the Jenny Packham size guide. Shop the full edit at Jenny Packham at Coveti.

Sources and method

Jenny Packham product facts (cut, sleeve, fabric, fit) come from the product pages on jennypackham.com, read on 6 November 2026. Prices are the Coveti prices in US dollars on 6 November 2026, and every piece listed was in stock at Coveti that day. Search demand figures are 12 month worldwide averages from Google Ads keyword data (DataForSEO), pulled the same day. Written by Coveti Editorial.