Shona Joy Dresses by Colour: Red, Black, Green, Blue and More

Shona Joy works in a muted palette. Its reds lean towards wine, its greens are sage and its neutrals sit somewhere between sand and espresso, so a colour name on the swatch rarely tells the whole story. This guide sorts the Shona Joy dresses we carry now by colour, explains how each shade looks in daylight and suggests the occasions each one suits.

Red and burgundy Shona Joy dresses

Burgundy is the strongest colour story of the season. Shona Joy calls it Wine Tasting, a deep red with a brown undertone that reads almost black by candlelight. The Agnes Ruffle Slip Bias Maxi Dress is the softest take, cut on the bias with a ruffle at the hem, while the Amina Gathered Low Plunged Maxi Dress and Amina Scarf Neck Maxi Dress use a semi-sheer georgette. New this month, the Jamila Lace Plunged Panelled Maxi Dress sets lace panels into matte satin, and the Campbell Strapless Ruched Maxi Dress gives the shade a structured, ruched bodice.

Shiraz is the bridesmaid version of the same idea, slightly brighter and redder. It runs through the La Lune satin pieces: the La Lune Lace Back Maxi Dress, the La Lune Long Sleeve Wrap Maxi Dress and the La Lune Plunged Cross Back Maxi Dress. For a true red, look at the Savanna Racer Back Maxi Dress in Chilli, a bright satin with a low T bar back.

Black Shona Joy dresses

Shona Joy black tends to come with texture. The Eniko Lace Gathered Maxi Dress and Eniko Lace Open Back Mini Dress pair matte satin with lace, and the Bianca Halter Plunged Maxi Dress sets satin against a sheer panel. The Campbell Ruffle Side Split Maxi Dress in Black is the most dramatic of the group, with a sculpted ruffle running down a high side split. Black suits evening weddings, black tie with a modest neckline and any dinner where you want one dress to do everything.

Ivory and white Shona Joy dresses

Ivory is where Shona Joy is best known, because its bridal line lives here. The palette runs from a warm cream to a clean white. The Federick Pleated Ruffle Maxi Dress and Labyrinth Split Lace Maxi Dress are made for a bride, and the Bianca Halter Plunged Maxi Dress in ivory is a clean, modern alternative. Newly arrived, the Eniko Lace Gathered Maxi Dress in Ivory, the Labyrinth Sheer Lace Panelled Maxi Dress in Ivory and the Iza Silk Contrast Maxi Dress widen the choice for engagement parties, rehearsal dinners and the wedding itself. Our Shona Joy bridal guide covers the full ivory range.

Green Shona Joy dresses

Shona Joy green is soft. Fern is a muted sage that photographs well outdoors, and it appears on the La Lune Ruched Halter Maxi Dress in Fern, the La Lune Scarf Panelled Maxi Dress and the La Lune Long Sleeve Wrap Maxi Dress. For something lighter, the Labyrinth Sheer Lace Panelled Maxi Dress in Canary Green is a pale lime lace that suits a daytime garden wedding.

Pink Shona Joy dresses

The pinks are powdery rather than sweet. Blossom is a pale petal pink on the La Lune One Shoulder Cowl Back Maxi Dress and the La Lune Ruched Halter Maxi Dress in Blossom. Ballerina is a touch deeper, worn on the Campbell Strapless U Wire Maxi Dress, and Fairyfloss is the lace version on the Lucia Lace Mini Dress in Fairyfloss Lace.

Blue Shona Joy dresses

Blue arrives this season as Sky, a pale, cool blue that is almost silver in bright light. The Agnes Long Sleeve Maxi Dress with Belt has a high cowl neck and flared sleeves, the Agnes Shirred Asymmetrical Blouson Maxi Dress is a one-shoulder blouson shape, and the Miro Slinky Jersey Long Sleeve Plunged Maxi Dress is the jersey option. For a day dress, the Rita Collared Shift Mini Dress is a dark indigo denim.

Brown, beige and champagne

Shona Joy’s neutrals are some of its most wearable colours. Medallion is a golden brown satin on the Simona Lace Mini Dress, Champagne is a warm sand satin on the Savanna Racer Back Maxi Dress, and Ristretto and Sand are the dark and light browns of the Miro Slinky Jersey Maxi Dress in Ristretto and Miro Slinky Jersey Maxi Dress in Sand. The Marlowe Linen Blend Bustier Maxi Dress in Ecru is the daytime choice, a pale linen blend with a gathered skirt.

Gold, purple and prints

For shine, the Stellar Lurex Scoop Neck Maxi Dress is a fitted metallic jersey in gold, and the La Lune High Neck Balloon Sleeve Maxi Dress in Gold is the satin version. Plum, a deep aubergine, appears on the Savanna Racer Back Maxi Dress. Shona Joy prints are painterly: Berry Floral on the Marpessa Scarf Neck Maxi Dress, Lilac Bloom on the Gia Bias Maxi Dress and the new Gia Off Shoulder Blouson Maxi Dress, and a graphic polka stripe on the Irving Polka Dot Maxi Dress.

How to choose a Shona Joy colour

Start with the occasion. For a wedding guest, avoid ivory and white, and pick a colour that holds up in photographs: Wine Tasting, Fern and Sky all do. For a bridal party, the La Lune styles come in several shades in the same cut, so bridesmaids can match the shape and vary the colour. For evening, black and gold are the safest choices. Our Shona Joy wedding guest guide and bridesmaid guide go further, and the full range sits on the Shona Joy page at Coveti.

Frequently asked questions

What colour is Shona Joy Wine Tasting?
Wine Tasting is a deep burgundy with a brown undertone. It looks close to oxblood in daylight and darker by evening.

Does Shona Joy make a red dress?
Yes. The brightest current red is the Savanna Racer Back Maxi Dress in Chilli, and the burgundy shades Wine Tasting and Shiraz run across the Amina, Jamila, Campbell and La Lune styles.

What is the Shona Joy colour Fern?
Fern is a soft sage green. It appears mainly on the La Lune satin maxi dresses, which makes it a popular bridesmaid colour.

Can I wear an ivory Shona Joy dress to a wedding?
Only if you are the bride. Shona Joy ivory pieces are designed with brides in mind, so guests are better choosing a colour.

Are Shona Joy colours true to the photos?
Most are close, but the satins change with the light. Pale shades such as Sky and Champagne can look lighter in person than on screen.