Versace Dress Guide: Minis, Midis, Gowns and the Safety Pin

A Versace dress is cut close to the body in draped jersey, fluid silk and metal mesh, then finished with Medusa hardware. At Coveti the edit runs from a cotton-jersey mini at USD 1,300 to an embroidered silk cady satin gown at USD 30,270. Shop the Versace edit, browse evening gowns and read the jungle dress story.

• Coveti carries 113 Versace dresses, priced from USD 1,300 to USD 30,270.
• Versace was founded in Milan in 1978 by Gianni Versace.
• The safety pin dress: Elizabeth Hurley wore it to the Four Weddings and a Funeral premiere in London in May 1994.
• The jungle dress: Jennifer Lopez wore it to the 42nd Grammy Awards on 23 February 2000.
• Sizing is Italian: IT 38 is a UK 6 and a US 2.
• Most Versace dresses fit true to size, so take your usual size.

What makes a Versace dress recognisable?

Three things, in roughly this order. The first is the line. Versace cuts for the body, so the shapes are fitted and draped, with very little extra fabric. The second is the material. You will see viscose liquid jersey, envers-satin and silk cady. Silk-chiffon and metal mesh complete the list, each chosen for the way it falls.

The third is the hardware. Medusa and Medusa ’95 hardware at the straps and neckline tell you who made the dress before you see the label. Then there is print. Barocco, born for the 1991 runway, still appears on silk twill shirt dresses, and new prints such as ‘The Sun’ arrive each season. Our Versace prints guide decodes them.

Which Versace mini and midi dresses should you choose?

The Versace mini dress comes in three moods. The first is metal mesh. The Metal Mesh Slip Mini Dress has a cowl neckline and Medusa ’95 hardware, and it moves like liquid under light. It comes in silver, black and gold.

The second is printed silk twill. The shirt-collar minis in ‘New Barocco’ and ‘Neoclassical Barocco’ have long sleeves and a fit and flare cut, so they work for lunch as easily as for dinner. The third is jersey and knit. Embroidered-logo cotton-jersey minis start at USD 1,300 and are the easiest way into the house for daytime. See every short shape in mini dresses.

The midi is where Versace’s drape does its best work. The Draped Envers-Satin Midi Dress in Black has short sleeves and a round neckline, and it is the kind of black dress you keep for a decade. The silk-chiffon draped midis in light blue and lime are softer, with a fitted cut and a fully silk lining.

For a lighter price, the Viscose-Jersey Draped Midi Dress comes in black and lilac at USD 4,070. Silk crêpe jersey midis in red and navy sit in the middle of the range. Compare lengths in midi dresses.

Versace gowns and evening dresses

A Versace gown is the house at full volume. The Viscose Liquid Jersey Draped Gown is the classic, with Medusa ’95 hardware and shoulder straps. It comes in black, light pink, white and red. It clings without constricting, which is why it photographs so well.

At the top of the range, the Embroidered Silk Cady Satin Gown in Navy is the most expensive Versace piece at Coveti, at USD 30,270. The Metal Mesh Gown in Silver turns a whole body into a mirror. For print at night, the ‘Hanging’ Out’ strapless gown in silk crêpe marocaine has Medusa hardware and a self-tie knot.

Keep the accessories quiet with a gown. One pair of Medusa earrings and a slim sandal are enough. Our Versace jewellery guide has the details.

What is the Versace safety pin dress?

The Versace safety pin dress is the black dress held together with gold safety pins that Elizabeth Hurley wore to the London premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral in May 1994. It turned a punk detail into red carpet glamour, and it is still the dress people mean when they say Versace in the 1990s.

Coveti does not stock the original dress. The safety pin itself is still a house code, though. You will find it on Safety Pin earrings, necklaces and belts, so you can wear the reference on a plain black dress of your own. Our Versace belts guide covers the Safety Pin belts.

How do Versace dresses fit?

Versace uses Italian sizing. An IT 38 is a UK 6 and a US 2, and an IT 42 is a UK 10 and a US 6. Most Versace product pages say the fit is true to size, so take your normal size.

Fitted cuts in envers-satin and silk have little give. If you are between sizes in a structured dress, size up and have it taken in. Stretch jersey is more forgiving. Our Versace size guide has the full chart.

Shop the edit

1. Viscose Liquid Jersey Draped Gown in Black, USD 5,190. The house gown; wear it with gold sandals and nothing else.
2. Metal Mesh Slip Mini Dress in Black, USD 6,300. Cowl neck and Medusa ’95 hardware for a party that ends late.
3. Draped Envers-Satin Midi Dress in Black, USD 9,600. A black midi for dinners, add a Safety Pin earring.
4. Draped Silk-Chiffon Midi Dress in Light Blue, USD 11,190. Weddings and summer evenings, with a metallic sandal.
5. Printed Silk Twill Mini Dress in Grey and Black, USD 3,920. ‘Neoclassical Barocco’ with long sleeves; wear it with knee boots.
6. Silk Crêpe Marocaine Strapless Gown in White and Hanging’ Out Print, USD 6,420. Print for evening, finished with a small clutch.
7. Metal Mesh Gown in Silver, USD 19,160. The red carpet choice; keep hair and make-up simple.
8. Embroidered-Logo Stretch Cotton-Jersey Mini Dress in Light Blue, USD 1,360. Weekend Versace with white trainers.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Versace dress cost?

At Coveti, Versace dresses range from USD 1,300 for an embroidered-logo cotton-jersey mini to USD 30,270 for the Embroidered Silk Cady Satin Gown in Navy. Draped viscose-jersey gowns start at about USD 4,840, and silk-chiffon midis sit at USD 11,190.

What is the Versace safety pin dress?

It is the black Versace dress held together with gold safety pins that Elizabeth Hurley wore to the London premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral in May 1994. Safety pin hardware remains a Versace house code on earrings, necklaces and belts.

Do Versace dresses run small?

Most Versace product pages say the fit is true to size and recommend your normal size. Versace uses Italian sizing, where an IT 38 is a UK 6 and a US 2. Structured satin and silk have little stretch, so size up when you are between sizes.

What should I wear with a Versace evening gown?

Keep everything else quiet. A Versace gown already carries Medusa hardware and a strong line, so one pair of gold earrings and a slim strappy sandal are enough. Choose a small clutch in black and gold to match the hardware.

Are Versace dresses at Coveti authentic?

Yes. Every Versace dress at Coveti is 100% authentic, verified by Coveti. Versace designs its collections in Milan, where the house was founded in 1978. Coveti ships worldwide, with most regions delivered duty unpaid, and every order arrives ready to wear.