Detachable Sleeves and a Slit Skirt: the Amour 64 Dress in Copper

Your arms show in every photograph, but you only really notice them on the night: when you raise a glass, when you take someone’s arm, when you want a little warmth in an air-conditioned room. The Amour 64 evening dress answers this simply. Its lace sleeves are detachable, and the straight-neckline corset bodice looks just as good without them.

What we know for certain

Amour 64 is copper, with a straight-neckline corset bodice in Chantilly lace, detachable lace sleeves and a pleated stretch taffeta skirt with a slit. The current price is on the dress’s page, and at the time of writing it is available in a size 38. That is everything the catalogue tells us. The rest of this article starts from there and adds what is generally worth checking on a dress with these features.

The colour deserves a word of its own. Copper is a warm shade, somewhere between deep orange and brown, and it changes with the light: by day it looks brighter, while in the evening, under warm venue lighting, it deepens. If you like the dress in photographs, look at it in natural light by a window and then under the artificial light of the fitting room. You are really choosing between two shades.

Who it suits

This is a dress for anyone who wants an evening look with a clean line and no showy volume. The straight neckline runs horizontally across the bust, leaves the shoulders and arms bare, and puts the focus on the lace. The pleated skirt adds movement without stealing attention from the bodice.

The detachable sleeves make it useful in very different settings: a church wedding where you would rather keep your arms covered, an autumn evening, a long dinner where the first chill arrives unannounced. Or, the other way round, a party where you want freedom of movement and prefer bare arms. You can decide on the day, in the same dress. If you are unsure how to read the invitation, our article on dress codes can help you choose the right version.

Chantilly lace and stretch taffeta, together

Chantilly lace is known for its fine pattern and delicate outline, usually set on a sheer or semi-sheer ground. On a corset bodice, it looks its best when it is well supported underneath. The stretch taffeta of the skirt has a subtle sheen and a little give, so it falls more softly than a stiff taffeta and doesn’t restrict you with every step.

The contrast between the two is really the idea behind the dress: above, a fine, matt texture; below, one with lustre and body. When you try it on, look at where they meet, at the waistline. The lace should lie smooth, without pulling or bunching into small puckers. This is where you can tell whether the size is right for you.

What to check on a straight-neckline bodice

A corset bodice with a straight neckline looks simple, but there are a few things to watch for. We won’t assume these about this particular dress, because construction details are something you confirm in the atelier, with the dress on:

• The top edge: does it sit flat against your chest, or does it gape when you lean forward? Make a small movement, as if picking something up from a table.
• Breathing: take two deep breaths and sit down for a few minutes. The dress should feel comfortable and settled, not merely look beautiful while you stand.
• Lace against the skin: check that the edges of the pattern don’t scratch or leave marks.
• Support: ask what supports the bust, as we can’t tell from a photograph whether there is boning or another kind of structure.

For a detailed explanation of how a corset works in general, see our article on corset structure and comfort.

Detachable sleeves: questions for your fitting

The sleeves are the most interesting part of the dress, and also the part that raises the most questions. Try it on twice, with sleeves and without, and compare the two properly.

1. How do they attach and detach? Ask to see the fastening and try putting them on and taking them off yourself. If you need help, ask how easily it can be done on a real evening out.
2. Raise your arms. The sleeves should let you lift your hands above your head, hug someone and sit down at the table.
3. The shoulder line. Without the sleeves, the dress should look complete, not as though something is missing.
4. The wrist. Check the length and how the lace falls over your hand. A sleeve’s length is easiest to judge with your arm lowered.

If any of these lengths or lines doesn’t satisfy you, say so at the fitting. A conversation about alterations starts with a precise observation, not a general impression.

The slit skirt: how to wear it

The slit is a detail made for movement. As you walk, the skirt opens slightly to reveal a step; when you stand still, it stays almost closed. The pleats add controlled volume without turning it into a full skirt.

At your fitting, take a few steps in the dress, go up and down a stair and, if possible, sit on an ordinary chair. Notice where the slit opens when you sit and whether you feel at ease with it. There is no universal rule here: some people prefer a slit that shows more, others a discreet one. What matters is what you like and what suits the occasion.

Size and alterations

The size currently available is 38. If you wear a different size, ask the atelier directly, as the dress’s page doesn’t say whether it can be made to measure. For small alterations, such as the length or the waist, read about what can be altered on an evening dress. How long an alteration takes depends on what is being changed, so we can’t give a time in advance. You can also see the services offered by our evening dress tailoring.

What to bring

Bring the shoes you will wear and, if you can, strapless underwear suited to a straight neckline. Tell the person helping you where the event will be and how long you will be wearing the dress. With that information, she can more easily judge whether sleeves or bare arms are the better choice.

If you would like to see Amour 64 and other dresses from our evening dress collection, you can book a fitting through our appointments page or by phone. We look forward to welcoming you to the atelier to try it on, with and without sleeves.