Green is my favourite colour to wear in a one shoulder dress. Off red or black, that diagonal neckline can look cheap, like a design trick. But a solid green; deep purple-like green, true grass-green green, olive green – they all read differently than other neutrals. Green shoulders just work. The colour speaks for itself, while the style creates a stage for it to do its thing on. Find a green that isn’t shy – whether that means bright or muted – and pair it with a slim sheath or sleeveless shift.
Pay attention to construction. One shouldered dresses need more support than those with straps or sleeves because they’re basically just hanging off your shoulder bone. Naturally, they tend to slide around if you don’t provide some reinforcement. Look for one with some sort of boning in the bodice, or at least a lightly lined or structured one. Check that the seam coming from the underarm down to the waist is secure. If there’s a strap going across the back, make sure it rests flat against your skin and doesn’t dig in.
You’ll also want to pay attention to fabric weight. You want something that will hang correctly on your body and skim over your curves without clinging. Slubbed silk, a heavier crepe or a matte satin are all good options. Avoid anything too lightweight that it will stretch or pull where the dress fastens on your shoulder, causing an unsightly crease.
My favourite ones actually have a little structure to the fabric too, not just built into the seams.
Once you have the dress sorted, styling it is easy. The weird shoulder does most of the heavy lifting for you. Keep your jewellery simple on the naked side and make whatever you’re wearing above your waist your focal point. Balancing that exaggerated shoulder line can be as simple as wearing a structured clutch and wearing heels with a mild spike. If you want to wear a jacket, keep it unbuttoned so the neckline remains visible. As for shoes; green and gold were made for each other, as were green and bronze. Metallics and shimmer work where silver doesn’t.
Since it photographs so well I tend to reserve these for evenings where I know I’ll be photographed. Think weddings (as a guest! ), fancy dinner dates or parties. Basically any occasion that you know for sure has “dressy” in the dress code. It’s not day wear, it never will be. Your best bet is to keep the rest of your outfit pretty minimal so that the dress does all the talking.
Top Picks
GREEN ONE SHOULDER DRESSANTHROPOLOGIE (US)Satu Printed Long-Sleeve One-Shoulder Maxi Dress
$295.00 ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)
GREEN ONE SHOULDER DRESSHELLOMOLLY (US)Precious Time One Shoulder Mini Dress Orange
$95.95 HELLOMOLLY (US)
GREEN ONE SHOULDER DRESSHELLO MOLLY (US)In These Moments One Shoulder Maxi Dress Green
$105.00 HELLO MOLLY (US)
EGO (US & CA)One Shoulder Drape Front Mini Dress In Sage Green Slinky, Women's Size US
$34.00 EGO (US & CA)
HARVEY NICHOLS USChristopher Esber Fran Green One-shoulder Jersey Maxi Dress
$586.04 HARVEY NICHOLS US
THE LUXURY CLOSETEmilio Pucci Green Lace One-Shoulder Mini Dress
$207.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET
ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)Amara One-Shoulder Cutwork Midi Dress
$248.00 ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)
ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)Stretch Satin One-Shoulder Maxi Dress
$286.00 ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)
ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)Tiana One-Shoulder Satin Kaftan Maxi Dress
$268.00 ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)
THE LUXURY CLOSETMac Duggal Green Satin One-shoulder Feather Trim Long Dress
$295.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET
HELLO MOLLY (US)Party Personality One Shoulder Midi Dress Green
$89.95 HELLO MOLLY (US)
GODDIVACity Goddess One Shoulder Faux Leather Mini Dress
$49.00 GODDIVA
HELLOMOLLY (US)Precious Time One Shoulder Mini Dress Orange
$95.95 HELLOMOLLY (US)
GODDIVAGoddiva One Shoulder Organza Fan Detail Lace Bodice Maxi Dress
$65.00 GODDIVA
ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)One-Shoulder Maxi Dress
$228.00 ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)
RENT THE RUNWAYGauge81 Erla One Shoulder Dress Green
$35.00 RENT THE RUNWAY
ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)One-Shoulder Scarf-Neck Asymmetric Maxi Dress
$248.00 ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)
HELLOMOLLY (US)Secret Symphony One Shoulder Mesh Maxi Dress Green
$99.00 HELLOMOLLY (US)
HELLO MOLLY (US)The Evangeline One Shoulder Satin Maxi Dress Sage Green
$155.95 HELLO MOLLY (US)
HELLOMOLLY (US)Bloom And Flow One Shoulder Tiered Maxi Dress Green
$129.95 HELLOMOLLY (US)
GODDIVAGoddiva One Shoulder Evening Maxi Dress
$95.00 GODDIVA
HELLOMOLLY (US)Neon Nectar One Shoulder Mesh Maxi Dress Brown
$95.95 HELLOMOLLY (US)
ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)Tara One-Shoulder Midi Dress
$228.00 ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)
ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)Satu Printed Long-Sleeve One-Shoulder Maxi Dress
$295.00 ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)
SELDOM SEEN STYLESWomen's One Shoulder Mesh Overlay Fitted Bodice Flowing Maxi Dress Elegant Evening Wedding Guest Formal Occasion Dress
$54.95 SELDOM SEEN STYLES
HELLOMOLLY (US)Mysterious Petals One Shoulder Midi Dress White
$105.00 HELLOMOLLY (US)
HELLO MOLLY (US)Love Notes One Shoulder Maxi Dress Green
$105.00 HELLO MOLLY (US)
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDModern One Shoulder Ruffles Floor-Length Mermaid Mother Of The Bride Dress - Olive-green
$159.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDOne Shoulder Side Slit Lace Satin Mother of The Groom Dress Long Sleeve Maxi Gown - Olive-green
$159.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDChicsew Chic One Shoulder Satin Mother of The Bride Dress Bow High-Low A-Line Wedding Guest Gown - Olive-green
$139.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
HELLOMOLLY (US)Fabulous Vibe One Shoulder Mesh Maxi Dress Green
$105.95 HELLOMOLLY (US)
HELLOMOLLY (US)Sparkle Diaries One Shoulder Satin Maxi Dress Green
$89.95 HELLOMOLLY (US)
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDChicSew One Shoulder Satin Mother Of The Groom Dress Rhinestone Sheath Evening Gown - Olive-green
$139.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
HELLO MOLLY (US)HELLO MOLLY Style Statement Era One Shoulder Satin Maxi Dress Green
$115.95 HELLO MOLLY (US)
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDFancy Mother of The Groom Dress Beautiful One Shoulder Beaded Satin Ruched Sheath Gown - Olive-green
$139.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
HELLO MOLLY (US)Adorabelle One Shoulder Midi Dress Green
$115.95 HELLO MOLLY (US)
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDChicsew Elegant One Shoulder A-Line Satin Mother Of The Bride Dress With Bow Knot - Olive-green
$149.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDModern One Shoulder Satin A-Line Mother of the Groom Dress with Bow Detail - Olive-green
$149.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDModern One Shoulder Side Slit A-Line Satin Mother Of The Bride Dress - Olive-green
$139.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
HELLOMOLLY (US)DEAR EMILIA Wandering Through Paradise One Shoulder Maxi Dress Green
$115.95 HELLOMOLLY (US)
GODDIVAGoddiva Pleated One Shoulder Bardot Fit And Flare Maxi Dress
$115.00 GODDIVA
HELLO MOLLY (US)In These Moments One Shoulder Maxi Dress Green
$105.00 HELLO MOLLY (US)
GODDIVAGoddiva One Shoulder Scuba Crepe Evening Maxi Dress
$95.00 GODDIVA
HELLO MOLLY (US)Elegant Frill One Shoulder Maxi Dress Green
$129.95 HELLO MOLLY (US)
GODDIVAGoddiva Gathered One Shoulder Sheer Panel Maxi Dress
$68.00 GODDIVA
GODDIVAGoddiva One Shoulder Pleated Bardot Lace Maxi Dress
$95.00 GODDIVA
GODDIVAGoddiva One Shoulder Cape Sleeve Pleated Lace Maxi Dress
$135.00 GODDIVA
HELLOMOLLY (US)Euphoria One Shoulder Mesh Midi Dress Green
$105.95 HELLOMOLLY (US)
−50%
SHOPBOPSeven Wonders Bianca One Shoulder Maxi Dress Army Green$149.00
$74.50 SHOPBOP
−25%
ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)Scottie One-Shoulder Side-Slit Stretch Satin Maxi Dress$226.60
$169.95 ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)
−50%
HARVEY NICHOLS USSolace London Lenna One-shoulder Pliss Midi Dress - Green - 8 (UK8 / S)$579.60
$289.80 HARVEY NICHOLS US
−60%
HARVEY NICHOLS USSolace London Daria Draped One-shoulder Maxi Dress - Green - 6 (UK10 / S)$734.18
$293.67 HARVEY NICHOLS US
−50%
HARVEY NICHOLS USBernadette Samuel Bow-embellished One-shoulder Maxi Dress - Green - 36 (UK8 / S)$895.16
$447.58 HARVEY NICHOLS US
