Solace London Gowns: The Evening Styles Worth Knowing

Solace London gowns are floor-length evening dresses cut close to the body in polyester crepe, satin-finish twill and heavy satin, usually fully lined and often boned. The shapes are graphic and plain in colour: strapless columns, one-shoulder drapes, off-the-shoulder corseted gowns and long-sleeved high necks, in UK sizes 4 to 16.

Gowns are what the London label is best known for, and they make up the large majority of the Solace London dresses Coveti carries: 301 of our 343 styles are maxi length. This guide sorts them by neckline, because that is the decision that changes how a gown fits, what you wear under it and which events it suits.

What makes a Solace London gown

Three things recur across the range. The first is the line. Founders Laura Taylor and Ryan Holliday-Stevens describe their aesthetic as “Bold, confident, refined. Modern futurism balanced with timeless minimalism”, and the gowns follow it: one strong shape, one detail, very little decoration. The second is structure. Many styles have a boned bodice, and most are fully lined, so the gown holds its outline without depending on your posture. The third is colour. The range is mostly solid shades, with black and deep reds the largest groups, followed by pinks, purples and blues.

Strapless gowns

The biggest group, and the one that shows the brand’s construction best. A strapless Solace London gown relies on the bodice, which is usually boned and cut in a twill and a bonded crepe with minimal stretch.

The Dandridge Maxi Dress in Red is the clearest example: a boned strapless bodice in medium weight twill with subtle sheen, a sculpted back, a deep fold and exaggerated pleats. The Kinsley Maxi Dress in Arctic Blue is softer, a strapless column with a pleated bodice and a drape that wraps the body. For a seated black-tie dinner, both hold their shape from the first course to the last speech.

See our guide to Solace London strapless and one-shoulder dresses for advice on support and what to wear underneath.

One-shoulder gowns

The second signature. Solace London often pairs a single shoulder with a long sleeve split to the elbow, a floor-length scarf and a drape, and that gives the gown movement without breaking the column.

The Newman Maxi Dress in Deep Orchid is cut from lustrous heavy weight satin with an asymmetric scarf and a dramatic floor-length sleeve, worn over a mini slip underdress. The Kira Maxi Dress in Red is plainer, a one-shoulder maxi in a clean, single line. One-shoulder gowns are among the easiest Solace London styles to wear, because the drape forgives and there is a strap to hold on to. For more labels in this shape, see our edit of one-shoulder evening gowns.

Off-the-shoulder gowns

An off-the-shoulder neckline frames the collarbone and suits formal evenings well. Solace London cuts these in two ways: corseted, with a firm bodice that grips the upper arm, and sculpted, with bonded petal sleeves standing away from the body.

The Pieta Maxi Dress in Black is the corseted version, in twill with subtle sheen and a small peplum at the waist. The Cielo Maxi Dress in Black is the sculpted one, a body-conscious maxi in stretch knit crepe with petal sleeves, and one of the brand’s Icons.

Long-sleeved gowns

The covered gowns are a strong part of the range, and many are also tagged Modest by the brand. Expect high necks, column skirts and drapes at the waist rather than cut-outs.

The Olivia Maxi Dress is a long-sleeved high-neck column with a waterfall drape at the waist, in stretch knit crepe with a twill drape. It is one of the most useful dresses the brand makes, because it works for black tie, winter weddings and religious ceremonies alike. Our Solace London modest dresses guide covers the covered styles in full.

For sleeves alone, from close-fitting columns to blouson bodices and bell sleeves, see our Solace London long sleeve dresses guide.

Embellished gowns

Solace London uses crystal sparingly, and where it does, it is the whole point. The Swanson Maxi Dress is a one-shoulder maxi in a fully embellished twill, with pleats at the waist and an offset zip. It is the most formal shape in the edit.

Midi and mini alternatives

Not every event wants a floor-length gown. Solace London makes a small number of shorter dresses with the same construction. The Edison Midi Dress is a strapless midi with a curved boned bodice and a flared skirt with laser-cut panels, and the Gardner is a one-shoulder mini with a draped neckline and an asymmetric tie. They suit cocktail parties, rehearsal dinners and the second half of a wedding. See our midi dresses category for more.

Our guide to Solace London maxi, midi and mini dresses explains how each length works, and the Solace London Christmas party dresses edit gathers the shorter styles for the party season.

Styling a Solace London gown

The gowns are plain by design, so accessories matter, and less is better. A strapless gown wants bare shoulders and a strong earring. A one-shoulder gown wants nothing on the bare side. A long-sleeved column suits a statement earring and a sleek bun. Keep the bag small and the shoe simple; a strappy sandal in the same colour as the gown lengthens the line. Avoid a necklace that competes with a sculpted neckline.

Coats are the hard part. Over a strapless gown, a long tailored coat worn on the shoulders looks better than a short jacket, and a plain wrap in the same tone works indoors.

Which gown for which event

Are Solace London gowns right for black tie?

Yes. A floor-length gown in a solid colour is exactly what a black-tie invitation asks for, and the brand’s restraint keeps it on the right side of formal without looking costume. If the event is black tie optional, a one-shoulder satin gown is the better choice, and for cocktail you may want a midi such as the Edison. Our guide to black tie dresses explains each dress code, and the best designer evening gowns puts Solace London next to other labels.

Gowns by season

Solace London gowns are not seasonal in weight the way wool and silk labels are, but some shapes suit the calendar better than others. In summer, choose a skimming one-shoulder style in lightweight crepe and a pale colour. In winter, long sleeves, a boned twill bodice and a deep shade such as ruby and acai look right. For spring weddings, the soft pinks and light blues are the obvious choice, and for autumn, dark olive and plum.

Winter is when the gowns work hardest, with black-tie weddings, galas and the party season all in a few weeks. Our Solace London winter wedding and gala dresses guide covers the warmest styles and how to rewear one gown across several events.

Fabric and care

Almost every Solace London gown we carry is polyester crepe, twill, satin, often with an elastane lining, and the care label is the same across the range: dry clean only, cool iron, no tumble drying. Synthetics crease less than silk, which helps on a long night and when you travel to the event, but store the gown hanging and keep boned bodices off narrow hangers.

How to choose your size

Gowns cut this close leave little room for error. Boned twill gowns have minimal stretch and the brand suggests sizing up if you are between sizes. Stretch knit crepe gowns relax as you wear them and it suggests sizing down. Our Solace London size guide has the cm and inch chart for UK 4 to 16.

You will find every Solace London gown on the Solace London brand page and in our evening gowns category. If you want to know how the brand compares on quality, read is Solace London a luxury brand.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Solace London gown made of?

Most Solace London gowns are made of polyester crepe, satin-finish twill and heavy satin, with linings in polyester and elastane. Many have boned bodices, and most are fully lined. The care label on almost every style is dry clean only.

Are Solace London gowns suitable for black tie?

Yes. Solace London gowns are floor length, mostly in solid colours and built on structured bodices, which is what a black-tie dress code asks for. Strapless and long-sleeved styles are the most formal choices.

Which Solace London gowns have sleeves?

Solace London makes many long-sleeved gowns, including the Olivia, Sedgewick, Bradshaw and Martine, and one-shoulder styles such as the Newman and Seldon have a single long sleeve split to the elbow.

Do Solace London gowns have boning?

Many do. Solace London strapless and corseted styles such as the Dandridge, Andress, Reynolds and Seri list a boned bodice for support on the product page.

How long are Solace London gowns?

Solace London gowns are cut to the floor on the models, who stand between 177 and 182 cm and wear heels. Shorter wearers should plan for heels and a hem.

What colours do Solace London gowns come in?

Solace London gowns come mostly in solid colours. Black is the largest group, followed by reds, pinks, purples and blues, with smaller runs in grey, ivory, metallic gold and green.

Which Solace London gown suits a winter gala?

For a Solace London winter gala look, choose a long-sleeved column such as the Olivia, a boned twill gown in a deep shade such as the Dandridge in deep orchid, and a crystal-embellished style if the dress code is black tie.

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