A women’s halter neck bodycon midi dress with a bold baroque black crochet lace bodice, completely open back and a smooth stretch skirt. Available in hot pink, dark red and blue. UK sizes 8 to 14. No zip. Pull-on.
Some dresses do too much. This one does exactly enough. The lace halter neck midi dress pairs a dramatic black baroque lace bodice with a clean, smooth stretch skirt, a completely open back and a midi hem that sits just below the knee. The lace is the centrepiece and everything else is built around it, which is why the combination works as well as it does.
The contrast between the intricate black lace overlay and the bold body colour underneath is what gives the dress its character. The lace pattern is symmetrical and architectural, fanning out from the high halter neck downward in a design that is closer to baroque ornament than standard floral lace. Through the lace, the body colour is clearly visible, making the dress feel daring without being minimalist.
Product Details
- Neckline: High halter neck with a black cord that ties at the back of the neck. The collar section is enclosed with a fine band of crochet lace detail at the very top
- Lace bodice: Black baroque-style crochet lace overlay covering the upper half of the dress from the neckline to the natural waist. The pattern is symmetrical and dense at the upper chest, tapering to decorative scroll ends at the waist. The body colour shows clearly through the lace throughout
- Back: Completely open from shoulder blade level to the waist. The halter neck cord is the only connection at the back above the waist. A small centre back split sits at the hem
- Skirt: Smooth, fitted bodycon skirt in the body colour from the waist to below the knee. No lace on the skirt section
- Length: Midi, falling just below the knee
- Closure: No zip. Pull-on style with the halter neck cord tying at the back
- Material: 95% polyester, 5% elastane. Soft, stretchy and thick enough to maintain its shape without being rigid
- Sizes: UK 8, 10, 12, 14
- Colours: Hot pink, dark red and blue
- Care: Hand wash recommended. Do not bleach
The Black Lace Bodice in Detail
The lace used in this dress is the detail that sets it apart from standard bodycon dresses. The pattern is a full baroque or damask-style design in black crochet that fans outward symmetrically from the centre of the neck downward. At the top, just below the halter collar, the pattern is relatively open and geometric. As it moves down the chest, the design becomes denser and more sculptural, filling the entire upper bodice with interlocking leaf, scroll and floral motifs. By the time it reaches the waist, the pattern tapers into decorative scroll ends that give the transition from lace to plain skirt a clean, finished edge.
The sheer quality of the crochet means the body colour shows through at every point, but the density of the pattern means there is always something between the fabric and the eye. It is not a simple lace overlay. It reads more like a piece of architectural surface decoration placed over the dress, which is what gives it its character when worn.
In photographs, the black lace against the bold body colour creates a sharp contrast that photographs strongly under both natural and artificial light. This makes it a useful dress for occasions where you will be photographed, as well as for in-person impact in a room.
The Open Back
The back of this dress is completely open from the shoulder blades to the waist. There is no panel, no strap across the back and no coverage below the halter neck cord. The entire back is exposed, making this one of the more confidently open-back designs available at this price point.
The halter neck cord ties at the back of the neck in a simple knot, which is what holds the front in place. Getting the tension right on the knot is the key to making the dress sit well. Too loose and the front lace panel will pull away from the chest. Too tight and it will feel uncomfortable at the neck. A comfortable but firm knot at the back gives the dress its clean, high-neck front profile.
For events where an open back is the intention, this dress delivers it completely. For anyone who prefers more back coverage, this is not the right dress. There is no modification that would add coverage without changing the fundamental design.
The Three Colour Options
Key Features at a Glance
How to Style This Dress
Shoes
Strappy heeled sandals in black or nude are the most natural pairing and are shown in the product images with the dark red version. They keep the leg line clean and uncluttered, which suits the midi length well. Block-heeled strappy sandals work if stiletto heels are not comfortable. For a slightly less formal take, a pointed-toe kitten heel in black or nude reads as smart without being full evening wear.
Bag
A small black box clutch or a chain-strap bag in black or gold keeps the focus on the dress. Avoid large shoulder bags or backpacks, which compete with the open back design. A simple black or gold clutch is the most reliable choice across all three colours.
Jewellery
Because the neckline is a high halter, necklaces compete awkwardly with the neck cord and are generally best avoided. The open back means a backless or low-back bra will be needed, which rules out statement back jewellery unless it is very simple. Simple earrings in gold or silver, or small hoops, suit all three versions without competing with the lace. For the dark red version, a gold cuff or bracelet on one wrist adds a warm accent that works with the body colour.
Outerwear
For cooler weather, a longline blazer or a fitted leather or faux leather jacket worn over the dress maintains the smart evening look without covering the halter neck detail at the front. A wide-lapel blazer in black, camel or charcoal works across all three colour versions. Avoid cropped jackets that sit at the waist and cut the visual line of the dress in half.
Occasions This Dress Is Made For
- Nights out and evening events
- Birthday celebrations
- Date nights
- Cocktail parties and formal dinners
- Wedding guests (evening reception)
- Summer parties and outdoor events
- Christmas and New Year parties
The midi length and the lace detail place this dress in smart evening territory rather than casual. It is too detailed and too fitted to read as daywear, but it is not so formal that it requires a full event to justify wearing it. A birthday dinner, a night out or a smart cocktail party are all appropriate settings. The dark red version is particularly well suited to Christmas and New Year events, where the wine colour against the black lace has a seasonal character that suits the occasion without being explicitly Christmas-themed.
Size Guide
The dress is made from a stretch fabric with 5% elastane, which gives some flexibility in the fit. The measurements below are body measurements in inches.
| UK Size | EU Size | US Size | Label | Bust (in) | Waist (in) | Hips (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 34 | 2 | XS | 31 | 23.75 | 33.75 |
| 8 | 36 | 4 | S | 32 | 24.75 | 34.75 |
| 10 | 38 | 6 | M | 34 | 26.75 | 36.75 |
| 12 | 40 | 8 | L | 36 | 28.75 | 38.75 |
| 14 | 42 | 10 | XL | 38 | 30.75 | 40.75 |
Measurements are body measurements. The dress is available to order in UK sizes 8 to 14. Size 6 is shown in the chart for reference only. All measurements are in inches.
Care Instructions
Hand wash cold in a mild detergent. Do not bleach. The crochet lace and the stretch fabric both require gentle handling to maintain their shape and construction. Do not wring or twist the lace section.
Lay flat or hang to air dry. Do not tumble dry, as heat can affect the elastane content and cause the fabric to lose its shape over time. The crochet lace can be gently reshaped by hand while still damp. Do not iron directly on the lace. A cool iron on the skirt section through a damp cloth is suitable if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The dress is a pull-on style with no zip anywhere. The stretch fabric allows you to step into the dress and pull it up, and the halter neck cord ties at the back of the neck to complete the fit. The lack of a zip is one of the design features that gives the open back its completely clean, uninterrupted appearance.
The back is completely open from the shoulder blades to the waist. The only connection at the back above the waist is the black halter neck cord that ties at the neckline. There is no panel, strap or fabric covering the back between the shoulders and the waist. The back images in the product gallery show the full extent of the open back on a model.
Because of the completely open back and the high halter neck, a conventional bra is not compatible with this dress. Options include a backless or low-back adhesive bra, stick-on cups or going without, depending on your preference and the support needed. The halter neck structure provides some front support through the lace bodice section but does not have built-in padding or underwire.
The dress fits close to the body as a bodycon style. If you are between sizes or on the fuller end of your usual size, sizing up is recommended for a more comfortable result. The 5% elastane content gives the fabric some stretch, but the silhouette is intentionally fitted throughout. Check your measurements against the size chart above before ordering.
Yes. The black baroque crochet lace overlay is the same design across all three colour options. The difference is the body colour visible beneath the lace, which changes the overall character of the dress significantly. The hot pink version has the highest contrast, the dark red has the most atmospheric quality, and the blue sits between the two in terms of how the lace reads against the background.
There is a small centre back split at the hem. It is not a high split and is primarily a functional detail that allows for comfortable walking movement in the fitted midi skirt. It is visible in the back view images.
The dress is sleeveless and open-backed, so it is not warm in itself. For cooler weather, a longline blazer or a fitted leather jacket worn over the top maintains the evening look while adding warmth. The dark red and blue versions in particular lend themselves to autumn and winter evening styling when layered with the right outerwear. Inside a warm venue, the open back is not a practical concern.
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