Christopher Esber Orion Gown: Colours, Fit, Fabric and the Orion Separates

The Christopher Esber Orion Gown is a floor-length gown with hand-sculpted ruching that traces a plunging V neckline into racerback-inspired halter straps, a drop waist and a pleated, gathered skirt. It is cut in 71% rayon and 29% polyester, and the brand describes it as true to size. It comes in twelve colours at Luxury Shoes .

The Orion has become one of the label’s most searched pieces, especially in Australia during wedding and spring racing season. This guide covers the gown, its siblings and how to wear them. Shop the full range in the Christopher Esber collection.

The Orion family at a glance

Orion Gown and Orion Separation Gown: the difference

The original Orion Gown is all about the neckline: the ruching runs from a deep V into straps that cross behind like a racerback. The Separation Gown squares the neckline off, widens the straps and cuts asymmetric openings at the waist, so it shows skin at the side rather than at the front. Both share the same rayon blend, drop waist and pleated skirt.

Every colour

• Orion Gown: black, liquorice, navy, lapis, cyan, limed olive, khaki, feathered citrine, russet, malbec, plum and white.
• Orion Separation Gown: bottle green, green olive, cranberry, feathered petrol, targa yellow and white.

How the Orion fits

Christopher Esber lists both gowns as true to size, on Australian sizing that matches UK sizing exactly, so an AU 8 is a UK 8 and roughly a US 4. On the brand’s own photographs the model is 180cm and wears an AU 8. The bodice is fitted and the ruching gives with the body, while the skirt falls free from the drop waist, so the bust and waist measurements are the ones to check. See the Christopher Esber size guide for the chart.

What to wear the Orion to

• Weddings: any colour except white and ivory. The malbec, plum and bottle green read especially well at evening ceremonies.
• Spring racing and garden parties: the brighter shades, such as cyan, feathered citrine and targa yellow.
• Black tie: black, liquorice and navy.
• Brides: the white Orion Gown and white Separation Gown sit in the label’s bridal edit. Read our Christopher Esber bridal guide.

Shoes and bags for the Orion

The skirt is full and floor length, so a heel with some height keeps the hem off the ground. The brand suggests tonal heels and sculptural mules; from the label’s own line, the Memento Charm Flip Flop Heel and the Calathea Heel both work, with a Buki Clutch for the evening. More in our Christopher Esber shoes guide.

The Orion’s sister gown

If you like the Orion but want a simpler line, look at the Ripple Drape Gown, cut in the same 71% rayon and 29% polyester with fluid drape instead of sculpted pleats.

Care

Follow the care line on each product page. As a rule, store the gown folded rather than hung so the ruched jersey does not drop, and keep it away from rough jewellery that can catch the gathers.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Christopher Esber Orion gown made of?

The Orion Gown and Orion Separation Gown are 71% rayon and 29% polyester. The Orion Top is a ruched jersey of 96% polyester and 4% spandex.

Does the Christopher Esber Orion gown run true to size?

Yes. Christopher Esber lists the Orion Gown and Orion Separation Gown as true to size, on Australian sizing, which matches UK sizing. The model on the brand photographs is 180cm and wears an AU 8.

What is the difference between the Christopher Esber Orion Gown and Orion Separation Gown?

The Orion Gown has a plunging V neckline with racerback halter straps. The Orion Separation Gown has a square neckline, wide ruched straps and asymmetric cut-outs at the waist. Both share the drop waist and pleated full skirt.

What colours does the Christopher Esber Orion gown come in?

At Luxury Handbags the Orion Gown comes in twelve colours, from black, navy and lapis to cyan, limed olive, feathered citrine, russet, malbec, plum and white. The Separation Gown adds bottle green, green olive, cranberry, feathered petrol and targa yellow.

What shoes go with the Christopher Esber Orion gown?

A heel with some height, so the floor-length skirt clears the ground. Tonal heels and sculptural mules suit it, such as the Christopher Esber Memento Charm Flip Flop Heel and Calathea Heel.

Can you wear the Christopher Esber Orion gown to a wedding?

Yes, in any colour except white and ivory. The white Orion is part of the label’s bridal edit and is best left to the bride.

Read next: Christopher Esber dresses, Christopher Esber bridal, Christopher Esber size guide.