Name: Black Cowl Back Gown
Brand: Katie May
SKU: KM5
Price: 56 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.5 (293 reviews)

Went to a black tie affair and thought this dress would be perfect...and it was! It hugged me in all the right places, and the back was oh so flattering.

This dress is very flattering and fits like a glove. It’s lined so it was thick enough for an indoor, winter event in ID where the temperatures were in the teens. Open back design does require the need for a low back bra or another option. Overall, very pleased with this dress for our event. 

I wore this as a mother of the groom dress and received compliments all night. I felt elegant and sophisticated. I highly recommend it. 

This little number was absolutely perfect for a black tie charity event, it hugged in all the right places, stretchy material for dancing and lots of food. I'm 5'2" a normal size 2. Would totally rent this dress again!

I ordered the 2R and 4R after reading reviews that it runs small. Typically I am a 0 or 2, I am 5'3 115-118 lbs. This dress was definitely snug, but very stretchy yet compressive, super comfortable to wear for 8+ hours. I wore with 2.5 inch heels, and the dress just touched the floor. Super happy overall and would definitely tent again!

Lovely dress for a black tie wedding in Newport, RI! It was gorgeous. Felt very nice on and fit just right. I’m 5’1” and wanted to get petite but they were out so I got Regular, and it fit fine with my 3” heels. Definitely recommend!

The fit was amazing, literally fit like it was made especially for me. I ordered a 6L and I'm about 5'8. The dress was comfortable, not too tight but was able to hug me in the right places. Highly recommend this dress for formal occasions. 

The 2 was snug but still fit well enough to dance and be a maid of honor! Rent this dress- so so beautiful and fun to wear 

This dress is easy to put on with the side zipper, which is perfect for when you don’t have people around to help with the back zipper.
It’s rather elegant and shapes the body well.

I loved this dress and got so many compliments on it. Great quality, great fit.  I struggle to find dresses in my size that feel age appropriate and glamorous for an almost 50 year old.  This dress checked all the boxes. 

True to size and perfect for an Audrey Hepburn, old Hollywood style party 

I rented this for my sister's wedding! Floor length and black were the only two requirements and went from there!!! I'm a 34DDD and didn't need a bra at all! The material is thick, supportive and very high quality. Got so many compliments and was able to dance the night away with no restrictions! Would rent again!

Loved the fit on this and liked that it was easy to move in. It was classy and the open back made it a bit sexy but still appropriate. Wore to emcee an event and appreciated that it stayed looking great for 6 hours of running around.

Lots of compliments.  I ordered a size up- fit great! 

Fit nicely, it's long, so plan to wear heels. So comfortable! 

I rented this dress for a black tie wedding and I was obsessed! I kept forgetting that I didn't own it and getting mad haha. I'm usually a size 10 and I was hesitant because lots of the reviews said it ran super small with no stretch, but I sized up to a 12 and it fit me perfectly. There's definitely a bit of stretch in the fabric too, but sizing up is definitely the way to go. I'm 5'5 and it hit right on the tops of my feet, just past the ankle. It's not totally floor length so just know whatever shoes you pair it with are going to show!

Highly recommend if you are curvy. Fit was great. Really sucks you in! #blacktie #wedding

Very comfortable, form fitting dress! I typically wear a 6/8 but went with the 10 L. I think the 12 would have been even better so I'd say it runs a bit small. I'm 5'7" and my 3.5 inch heels were a little tall for the dress. Overall, decently happy with it!

Pros: great silhouette, high neck = no inappropriate cleavage, thick but slightly stretchy material hides bumps, very comfortable, the back is gorgeous and hides back fat

I had to tuck the straps of my spanx into the dress, as they kept popping out. I didn't wear a bra - I have huge boobs, but I felt secure in this dress. I would say the length is short - I'm 5'2" and wore 4" heels, so I had to keep pulling the dress down to make sure it was covering my shoes.

If you are 5' 6.5" you need the Long. Tried both and the 2R was too short, even with a lower heel.  The Long gave me the opportunity in length to wear a higher heel and the gown was still floor length. 

Seriously I have already looked online to purchase my own. It fit so well, but runs small. I sized up 2 sizes from my normal dress size. Also ordered a long... I'm 5'6" and was planning to wear heels-the long just hit my toes. I received so many complements! 

Great fit. Note however, if you have curves, be prepared to turn heads. 

Loved it! Wore it to a formal wedding. Runs a little small but it's form fitting so it was expected. Had some trouble with the zipper near the seam and needed my boyfriend to help me, he had some trouble with it too but with some patience and prayers he did it and I didn't need to use my back up dress. Was able to dance all night and stay comfortable, felt very classy in it. Would rent again 100% but maybe use spanx next time...after a couple cocktails the dress got tighter :)

This dress fit perfectly. I got so many compliments in this dress and the detailing in the back was perfect. I am 5'2, so I was a little worried about getting a size 2R dress, but the height was perfect for 2in heals. 
No cons. 

This was my backup dress and I didn't wear it for the event, but I would have in a heartbeat if I didn't love my first choice just as much. It hugged everything beautifully and held you in snugly. The back was stunning. I have huge boobs and I still felt secure in this dress with a flimsy open back bra. Classy and gorgeous. Perfect for a curvy hourglass figure. Definitely recommend. 

The back of the dress is so classic and glamorous. I rented a 6L and I'm glad I got the Long. I'm 5'7" and the length was perfect with 3 inch heels. I didn't need a bra even though I'm a 34 DD. I felt comfortable and the dress hugged my curves perfectly. 

The dress fit great! I could not zip the dress by myself though. It was comfortable and easy to wear. It must run short on length because it was perfect for me and I am only 5'2". 

I ordered an 8 and a 10 and I could've worn either. The dress fit great the only issue is if you're getting dressed alone the zipper is hard to do with your arm at that angle. It gets struck near the seams, you really need someone else to do it for you unless your double jointed. I wore this dress for 15 hours & it held up! The slip is hard to get in place when you put the dress on but when it's on right it stays in place which is great! wear spanx underneath since you can see an underwear line

I was a little nervous when I first received the dress. I definitely needed the larger of the two sizes and it hugged right at the tummy but with the right hosiery, this dress was perfect! It was so comfortable and looked terrific all night. I received many compliments and felt great whether kneeling at church or dancing at the reception. I would definitely recommend for a formal affair/cocktail attire wedding. I can't wait to rent from Rent the Runway again. 

Loved this! Got so many compliments. Sized up one from my usual. 

The size 8 fit me a little better than the 6. This dress is stunning and the reviews about the material being thicker are true. This dress was Amazing and got many compliments. 

True to size. Perfect for my 5"2 height. Stretchy and fit like a glove. Zipper on the side. Wore this for the Marine Corps Ball. I felt like a princess in it. I would wear this again. 

This dress was stunning! The material is great. It was soft/stretchable yet thick enough that I didn't worry about my stomach being too bloated after eating. It was form fitting white still giving an elegant look. I received compliments on the dress all night. The only "con" was that I had to keep tucking in the straps for the hanger under the dress's straps. It kept popping out throughout the night but that's nothing that a bit of fabric tape could fix for future wearers. 

I'm 5'10", apple shape with 38-C bust. I carry extra weight in my belly and normally wear size 12 tall jeans. The 14L was too tight in my lower abdomen and just brushed the tops of my feet without shoes on. I loved this dress, but chose to wear my backup because it was too small. I would rent again in a bigger size. My advice is to order two sizes larger than your jeans size. It's a clingy dress but gorgeous!

I would give it more of a 4.5 stars. The dress material was thicker which was nice to hide imperfections and very form fitting. I wear a between sizes 12/14 dress and I am glad I listed to reviews. I could have gotten away with the 14 but the 16 fit better. Also it runs short! I am 5'10" and even with the long it barely came to the top of my feet without shoes. I did not wear a bra, but the top was snug enough I didn't need to. 

I am 152 and usually wear a size 9 pant. This dress fit perfect, though was too short to wear with any heels. I chose to wear a very short heel due to the length. If you plan to wear any height I would order the longer version.  

Black Cowl Back Gown

Katie May

Product Details

Materials and Measurements

Size and Fit

Share

Ratings &
Reviews

Your Bag