The Effie Kats Monroe Gown: Every Colour, Strapless Sizing, the Velvet and the Mini

The Monroe Gown is the strapless one. A folded panel across the top of a straight bodice, a cinched waist, a straight crepe skirt and a split at the back, cut in the same stretch crepe as the rest of the core range so it stays up by fit rather than by boning. It is the Effie Kats gown for bare shoulders, the one most searched with a colour attached, and the one that comes in velvet for winter. Luxury Handbags stocks 8 colourways at $490 in crepe and $520 in velvet, plus the Monroe Mini. This guide covers each colour, how to size a strapless crepe gown so it holds, and where the Monroe sits against the Verona and Marbella.

Key facts

• The Monroe Gown is $490 at Luxury Handbags in stretch crepe and $520 in Black Velvet; the brand’s Australian RRP is AUD 399. The Monroe Mini is $400.
• Colours at Luxury Handbags in September 2026: Wine, Ivory, Ice Pink, Coffee, Cherry Red, Black Velvet, Black, Ice Blue.
• Cut: strapless, folded-over panel at the bodice, cinched waist, straight skirt with a back split; signature stretch crepe, fully lined.
• Sizes XS to XL (AU and UK 6 to 14). A strapless crepe gown stays up by fit: size to the bust and, between sizes, take the one that grips.
• On The Volte the Monroe lists for hire at about AUD 93 to 151 against the AUD 399 RRP, in black, cherry red and wine.

The cut

The Monroe’s bodice is a straight band across the bust with a panel folded over the top edge, which gives the neckline a clean horizontal line and a little weight so it sits flat rather than curling. There is no sweetheart dip and no boning; the stretch crepe and the lining grip the ribcage, and the cinched waist below takes the weight of the skirt. The skirt is a straight column with a back split for walking. Bare shoulders, a bare back to the shoulder blades, and everything else covered: it is the most classic evening silhouette in the range and the one that reads as old Hollywood, which is presumably the name.

Every Monroe Gown colour at Luxury Shoes

1. Monroe Gown in Black, $490

The black strapless gown every wardrobe is meant to have. Wear it to a black-tie wedding with drop earrings and to a gala with the Olympia Cape over it for the arrival.

2. Monroe Gown in Cherry Red, $490

The most hired Monroe on the rental platforms and the loudest colour in the core range: a clear true red on a strapless column.

3. Monroe Gown in Wine, $490

Deep burgundy, the autumn and winter Monroe. Quieter than cherry, richer than black under candlelight, and the colour that flatters most skin tones.

4. Monroe Gown in Ivory, $490

The strapless bridal option, for a civil ceremony, a rehearsal dinner and a reception change. The folded bodice gives ivory crepe a formality that a plain band does not.

5. Monroe Gown in Coffee, $490

Dark chocolate brown. The colour that has replaced black for daytime formal events in Australia; on a strapless gown it is warm and unexpected.

6. Monroe Gown in Black Velvet, $520

Black stretch velvet at $520, the winter ball Monroe. Velvet has less stretch than crepe, so on a strapless gown it must fit the bust exactly.

7. Monroe Gown in Ice Pink, $490

Pale, cool pink. A spring wedding-guest gown and a bridesmaid colour; seasonal, so buy it when you see it.

8. Monroe Gown in Ice Blue, $490

Powder blue on a strapless column. The freshest colour in the range and the Monroe that photographs best in daylight.

The Monroe Mini

The Monroe Mini is the same strapless bodice on a short skirt at $400, in Wine, Black. It is the cocktail-hour Monroe, the version for a twenty-first, a hen weekend and the after party, and the wine Monroe Mini is the one the editors would pack for a winter party season.

Sizing a strapless crepe gown

A strapless gown without boning stays up because the bodice grips the ribcage, so the sizing rule is the opposite of the Marbella’s: fit to the bust, and between two sizes take the smaller one so the bodice holds. The stretch crepe forgives a centimetre at the waist and hips; it does not forgive a bodice that is loose. Use the bust column on the brand’s chart, 79 cm for XS through to 99 cm for XL, and if you are a full cup and a narrow ribcage, the smaller size. The velvet Monroe is the exception: velvet has less give, so it must match the bust exactly, and a between-sizes bust should choose the crepe. Floor length on a 180 cm model in heels; shorter frames need a hem. The size guide carries the chart.

What to wear with it

A strapless bra, and for a smaller bust nothing at all, because the lining holds. Shoulders and neck are bare, so this is the gown for a statement earring and a bare neck, and for hair up. Shoes narrow. Over it, the Olympia Cape is the house pairing and turns a strapless gown into a covered arrival; the Bowie Blazer over the shoulders does the same for a dinner. How to style Effie Kats gowns has the full styling notes.

Monroe, Verona and Marbella: which one

The Monroe bares the shoulders and the top of the back; the Verona covers the front and opens the low back; the Marbella supports with a square-neck bustier and closes the back. Choose the Monroe for bare shoulders and the classic strapless line, and if you have the ribcage to hold it. Choose the Marbella for support, the Verona for the open back. The Inaya gives most of the Monroe’s shoulder with a little more security.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the Effie Kats Monroe Gown?

$490 at Luxury Handbags in stretch crepe and $520 in Black Velvet, delivered express with an authenticity guarantee. The brand’s Australian RRP is AUD 399.

Does the Monroe Gown stay up?

Yes, by fit. The bodice is stretch crepe with a stretch lining that grips the ribcage and a folded panel that keeps the top edge flat. Size to the bust and, between sizes, take the smaller.

What colours does the Monroe Gown come in?

At Luxury Handbags in September 2026: Wine, Ivory, Ice Pink, Coffee, Cherry Red, Black Velvet, Black, Ice Blue. Black, cherry red, wine, ivory and coffee are continuity colours; the pinks and blue are seasonal.

Is the Monroe Gown boned?

No. It relies on the stretch crepe and lining rather than boning, which is why it is comfortable to sit in and why the sizing rule is to take the size that grips.

What is the difference between the Monroe Gown and the Monroe Mini?

Length and price. The Mini is the same strapless bodice on a short skirt at $400, for cocktail dress codes.

Monroe Gown versus Verona Gown: which is better?

They suit different women. The Monroe bares the shoulders and needs a ribcage that holds a strapless bodice; the Verona covers the front with a high neckline and opens the back, and it fits almost everyone. Same fabric and price.

Can I hire the Monroe Gown?

In Australia, yes: it lists on The Volte at about AUD 93 to 151 a rental against the AUD 399 RRP. Outside Australia, Luxury Handbags ships it worldwide with a 14-day return window.

Read next

Compare it with the Verona Gown, the Marbella Gown and the Inaya Gown, and see the best Effie Kats gowns. The velvet Monroe is in the velvet and sequin guide; the red ones are in the red dresses guide. Shop every Monroe in stock at the Effie Kats collection at Luxury Shoes .