How to Style Solace London: Shoes, Bags, Jewellery and Cover Ups

Solace London’s sculpted necklines do most of the work, so Coveti’s styling advice is spare: fine metal jewellery, hair up for strapless and halter styles, and a slim heel under a floor-length hem. Choose one point of interest and let the line of the dress carry the rest.

The founders describe their aesthetic as “Bold, confident, refined. Modern futurism balanced with timeless minimalism.” It also works as a styling brief. A Solace London dress is already a strong graphic shape in a single colour. Add too much and you blur it. The neckline decides almost everything else, from the earrings to the hair, so that is where we start, before shoes, bags, coats and a few ways to make an evening dress feel less formal.

Styling by neckline

Strapless

A strapless Solace London gown leaves the neck, shoulders and collarbone bare, and that bare line is part of the design. The Kinsley Maxi Dress in Black is a strapless column with a softly pleated bodice and a wrap-around drape. Wear it with drop earrings and leave the neck clear, and wear the hair up so the shape of the bodice can be seen.

If you want a necklace, keep it fine and short so it sits above the neckline without touching it. A heavy collar fights the bodice. Our guide to wearing a bustier gown covers the same principles in more depth, and our guide to Solace London strapless and one shoulder dresses explains how the boned bodices are built.

One shoulder

The one-shoulder dress is the label’s signature, and it is the easiest to style. The Kira Maxi Dress in Red is a good example: a single shoulder, a floor-length fall and a strong colour. Wear one statement earring on the bare side and sweep the hair up and over to the covered side. A cuff on the bare arm balances the line. Skip the necklace; there is nowhere for it to sit.

Halter

A halter neck takes the eye straight to the shoulders and the back. The Rumi Maxi Dress in Navy has a high halter, a pleated cross-over bodice and dramatic side trains, with a hook and eye at the neck. With a halter, the hair should go up: a sleek bun and a high ponytail both work, and hair worn down hides the back of the dress. Earrings only, nothing at the throat.

Scarf neck

Solace London uses heavy satin scarves on several of its newest styles. The Newman Maxi Dress in Black has an asymmetrical scarf across one shoulder and a floor-length sleeve split to the elbow. A scarf is already an accessory, so keep the jewellery tiny: small studs and a few rings. Wear the hair up and away from the scarf so the two do not tangle.

Long sleeves and high necks

A long sleeve and a high neck cover most of the places jewellery usually goes. The Olivia Maxi Dress in Deep Orchid is a long-sleeved column with a high neck and a waterfall drape at the waist. Coveti’s own styling note for it suggests sculptural earrings, and for colder months a tailored coat. Rings work well too, since the hands are the only other place left. Hair can go up, and down is fine for a softer look. Our guide to Solace London long sleeve dresses has the full covered edit.

Off the shoulder

An off-the-shoulder neckline frames the collarbone, which is the one place a short necklace really works on this label. The Pieta Maxi Dress in Black has an off-the-shoulder neckline, a corseted bodice and a subtle peplum. Try a fine chain just above the neckline and a low chignon.

Gold, silver and pearls

Choose the metal by the colour of the dress. Gold warms the label’s jewel tones (ruby, acai, deep orchid) and looks rich against black. Silver and white gold suit the cooler shades, such as slate blue, pewter and arctic blue. Pearls are lovely with the soft pinks and with cream, and they suit a mother of the bride well. Whatever you choose, keep to one metal for the evening; mixing them on a dress this clean looks accidental.

Shoes for a floor-length hem

Almost every Solace London style is a floor-length maxi, so the shoes matter more for the length than for the look. Choose them before you have the hem set, and wear them to the fitting. A slim heel suits the column styles and the strapless gowns, and it is the pairing Coveti’s own styling notes suggest for several of these styles. A satin pump in the same colour as the dress lengthens the line. A block heel is kinder on grass at a country wedding and for a long night on your feet.

For the minis and midis, the shoe is part of the outfit. A strappy sandal works with a midaxi in summer; a slim knee-high boot suits a mini at a winter party.

Bags

A small clutch is the only bag we would carry with a Solace London gown. A shoulder bag breaks the line at the hip, and a large bag looks out of place against such a clean shape. Match the clutch to the shoes, to the jewellery, and never to the dress unless it is black.

Coats, wraps and cover ups

For winter, a tailored coat in dark wool is the cleanest cover up for a Solace London gown. It keeps the proportions long and does not crush the bodice. Wear it to the door and check it in.

For a church ceremony and a cool evening, a long silk wrap and a fine shawl can cover bare shoulders and come off for dinner. Our guide to wearing a shawl over an evening gown shows how to drape one so it stays put. Avoid cropped jackets and boleros, which cut across the sculpted bodice. Our guide to Solace London for winter weddings and galas has more on dressing for the cold.

Hair and make-up

Because the dresses are plain in colour and strong in shape, the face carries more than usual. A defined lip in a shade that works with the dress, and skin kept fresh rather than heavily contoured, suits the label’s clean look. With a strapless and halter neckline, hair up is almost always the better choice. With a long sleeve and a high neck, you have more freedom.

How to dress down a Solace London dress

A Solace London dress is made for evening, but some styles can be worn more casually. The midis and minis work best. Wear a midi with a fitted knit over the top, and flat sandals in summer, for a dinner with friends. A mini with a tailored blazer and loafers works for daytime drinks. The plain columns, such as the Lang, can be worn with a long cardigan and flat shoes for a relaxed evening, though the floor-length styles will always look dressed up.

Styling for the occasion

For a wedding, our Solace London wedding guest guide covers dress codes and colours. For the mother of the bride, our guide to Solace London mother of the bride dresses has the right shapes and shoes. For red carpet ideas, our list of verified celebrity looks shows how Lily Collins, Kristen Bell and others have worn the label. The full range is on our Solace London brand page.

Frequently asked questions

What shoes go with a Solace London maxi dress?

A slim heel suits most Solace London maxi dresses, and a satin pump in the same colour lengthens the line. Choose the shoes before the hem is set and wear them to the fitting. A block heel is better on grass and for a long night.

What jewellery suits a Solace London one shoulder dress?

With a Solace London one shoulder dress, wear one statement earring on the bare side and a cuff on the bare arm. Skip the necklace, since there is nowhere for it to sit, and sweep the hair up towards the covered shoulder.

What do you wear over a Solace London strapless gown?

For winter, wear a tailored wool coat over a Solace London strapless gown. For a church ceremony and a cool room, carry a long silk wrap. Avoid cropped jackets and boleros, which cut across the sculpted bodice.

Should hair be up with a Solace London halter dress?

Yes. A Solace London halter neck draws the eye to the shoulders and back, and hair worn down hides them. A sleek bun and a high ponytail both work. Wear earrings only, with nothing at the throat.

What bag goes with a Solace London gown?

Carry a small clutch with a Solace London gown. A shoulder bag breaks the line at the hip and a large bag looks out of place against the clean shape. Match the clutch to the shoes and the jewellery.

How do you dress down a Solace London dress?

The Solace London midis and minis dress down best. Wear a midi with a fitted knit and flat sandals, and a mini with a tailored blazer and loafers. The floor-length styles will always look dressed up.

More Solace London guides

Every Coveti guide to the label, plus the full Solace London edit.

• Is Solace London a Luxury Brand? Quality, Fabric and Fit Assessed
• Solace London Size Guide: UK, US and EU Sizes with Body Measurements
• Where to Buy Solace London in the US, UK and Australia
• Solace London Gowns: The Evening Styles Worth Knowing
• Solace London Wedding Guest Dresses for Every Dress Code
• Solace London Bridal: Wedding Dresses, Reception Looks and Civil Ceremony Styles
• Solace London Modest Dresses: Long Sleeves, High Necks and Full Lengths
• Solace London Dresses by Colour: Black, Red, White, Pink, Green and Blue
• Solace London Strapless, One Shoulder and Off the Shoulder Dresses
• Solace London Signature Styles: Kinsley, Lang, Kira, Olivia and the Icons Explained
• Which Celebrities Wear Solace London? Every Verified Look
• Brands Like Solace London: 6 Alternatives We Stock
• Solace London in Dubai, Riyadh and the Gulf: Where to Shop and What to Wear
• Solace London Long Sleeve Dresses: Columns, Blouson Sleeves and Covered Gowns
• Solace London Mother of the Bride Dresses: Elegant Styles for the Whole Day
• Solace London for Winter Weddings and Black Tie Galas
• Solace London Christmas Party Dresses: Minis, Midis and Party Maxis
• Solace London Maxi, Midi and Mini Dresses: Lengths Explained
• Solace London Rental Versus Buying: When Each Makes Sense
• Solace London Resort 2027: The New Collection
• Solace London Real Versus Fake: How to Check Your Dress and the Site You Buy From