Daphne Asymmetric Ruched Maxi Dress

The Daphne is a burgundy ruched maxi dress built around a single off-center twist at the waist, knotted through a polished gold-tone teardrop. The neckline is a boat neck, wide and shallow along the collarbones, with the drape gathered on one shoulder only.

It clings gently through the bust, waist and hips, then releases from mid-thigh into a soft flute that reaches the floor. The ruching radiates diagonally out of the knot, up across one side of the ribcage and down toward the opposite hip, and a curved seam carries that same line across the skirt front. The sleeves are long, close along the arm, with a slight bell at the cuff. It is a fine, matte knit with a fluid drape, so it moves with you rather than holding its own shape. Wear it with a heel for an evening, and keep jewelry quiet so the waist hardware leads.

Key features

• Asymmetric waist knot — twisted off-center to the right and cinched through a polished gold-tone teardrop ornament, with the gathers doing the shaping rather than a belt or elastic.
• One draped shoulder — the left shoulder carries a cluster of gathered pleats that wraps toward the back, while the right shoulder stays flat and plain.
• Boat neckline, front and back — it sits wide along the collarbones and carries around as a shallow scoop at upper shoulder-blade height. Closed and high on both sides.
• Floor-length evening maxi dress — body-skimming to mid-thigh, then a soft A-line flute that breaks on the floor over a heel and sweeps a little longer at the back.
• Pulls on, no zip — the knit stretches to go over the head and settles back into shape, so there is no placket or hardware interrupting the line.

Specifications

• Color: Burgundy
• Pattern: Plain
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Fit: Fitted and body-skimming through bust, waist and hips, releasing from mid-thigh into a fluted floor-length hem. Stretchy knit, single layer, unlined. No slit and no pockets.
• Fastening: Pull-on. No zip, no buttons.
• Size guide: Sizes run S to XL. Bust and waist figures are garment-flat, measured with the knit relaxed rather than around the body: 86 cm bust and 76 cm waist on S, 88 cm and 78 cm on M, 90 cm and 80 cm on L, with a total length of 135 cm to 137 cm across those three. XL follows the same progression at 92 cm bust and 82 cm waist, with a total length of 138 cm. The knit stretches over the body from there, so take your usual size instead of sizing up.

FAQ

How does it fasten?
It pulls on over the head. There is no zip and no buttons, front or back. That works because the knit stretches: it opens up to go on, then settles back to the body.

Is it see-through, and is it lined?
It is opaque all over, including in strong light, and it is a single unlined layer. The knit is fine and close-fitting, so underwear lines will read through. A smooth, seamless bra is the honest recommendation. The neckline is closed and high front and back, though it is wide, so a strap can peek at the outer edge of the plain shoulder.

How long is it, and is there a slit?
Floor-length. The hem breaks on the floor over a heeled shoe and sits slightly longer at the back. There is no slit. The diagonal line across the skirt front is a seam, part of the ruching, not an opening.

What is the gold piece at the waist?
A polished gold-tone teardrop ornament. The waist is knotted through it, so it holds the twist in place off-center to the right and finishes the front of the dress. It is decorative hardware, not a fastening.

Free tracked shipping on every order. Orders are processed within 1–3 business days and delivered within 6–9 business days to the US, UK, Canada and Australia — 7–12 days in total. You'll receive a tracking link by email as soon as your order ships.

Not quite right? You have 30 days from delivery to return unworn items in their original condition for a refund or exchange. Email support@arvellis.co with your order number and we'll walk you through it. Refunds are issued to your original payment method within 14 days of receiving your return.