Rhinestone Dresses: 12 Crystal Embellished Party Dresses from LOULOU

The short answer: the best rhinestone dresses use crystals to draw the line of the dress, not to cover it. Start with The Icon Mini Dress, a strapless black crepe mini with a hand embroidered crystal orchid, then the Crystal Slash Mini Dress in pink. LOULOU dresses fit true to size. Compare more in designer mini dresses and our embellished mini dresses guide.

LOULOU is known for crystal embellishment. LOULOU is an independent Romanian label founded in Bucharest in 2012 by Andra Turcanu. The house designs in Florence, takes its energy from Los Angeles, and makes every piece in its own Bucharest atelier. Its dresses are cut from structured crepe, velvet and silk, and the crystals are glass, set by hand to frame a cut-out, edge a neckline, run along a slash. That restraint is what makes them look expensive.

Our picks

1. The Icon Mini Dress

The house calls it its iconic signature. A strapless crepe mini with a boned bust, a tulip skirt and a crystal orchid.

2. Crystal Slash Mini Dress

Pink structured crepe with crystal lined slashes across the body.

3. Crystal Embellished Cutout Mini Dress

Red crepe with a crystal framed cut-out. A strong birthday dress.

4. Crystal Buckle Cutout Mini Dress

Purple crepe with side cut-outs held by crystal buckles.

5. Crystal Cutout Mini Dress in Pastel Pink

Pastel pink wool crepe with structured shoulders and a crystal framed neckline.

6. Crystal Cutout Mini Dress in Fuchsia Crepe

The same idea in fuchsia crepe with a boxy cut.

7. Crystal Trim Mini Dress in Black

Black silk satin with crystal trim. The most classic dress here.

8. Crystal Trim Mini Dress in Pink

The pink crepe version, with crystal trims.

9. Scarlet Velvet Mini Dress

Silk velvet with crystal drops. A good holiday party dress.

10. Crystal U-Neck Midi Dress

Blue crepe with a crystal edged U neckline, cut to the midi.

11. Cobalt Crystal Fringe Maxi Dress

A cobalt maxi with crystal fringe. For black tie.

12. Crystal Orchid Mini Dress

Ivory shantung with crystal flowers. Right for a civil ceremony and a rehearsal dinner.

How to wear a rhinestone dress

Skip the necklace. The crystals are the jewellery. Earrings at most.

Choose a plain shoe. A black sandal, a nude pump. Let the dress shine.

Match the crystal to the hour. A crystal mini is a party dress. A crystal maxi is black tie.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a rhinestone and a crystal dress?

Rhinestone is the everyday word for a sparkling stone. LOULOU lists glass crystals on its dresses, set by hand.

Where can I wear a rhinestone dress?

Birthdays, cocktail parties, New Year’s Eve and black tie, depending on the length. Minis for parties, maxis for formal evenings.

Do LOULOU dresses fit true to size?

Yes. On the brand chart XS is a UK 6 and XL is a UK 14.

How do you store a crystal dress?

Hang it on a padded hanger in a breathable cover, away from rough fabrics that can catch the stones.

What is the LOULOU Icon dress?

The Icon Mini Dress is a strapless crepe mini with a boned bust, a tulip skirt and an oversized crystal orchid. The brand calls it its signature.

Read next: birthday dresses, leather mini dresses, and the best LOULOU pieces.