Scarlet Darkness has sold gothic, Renaissance, Victorian and steampunk-inspired womenswear since 2018. Its Steampunk Lace-Up High-Low Dress has a sleeveless V-neck, a tie-front bodice and a hem that dips lower at the back. You can see the Scarlet Darkness range at its own store to find this dress and the rest of the line.
This is a research-based look, not a hands-on test. It draws on the product listing, the fabric spec and care label, the brand’s published return policy and third-party review sites that cover the brand as a whole.
The short version: an adjustable dress for anyone who wants a historical look without a full-costume feel. Sizing is the one thing to plan around.
What You Get
The dress is a sleeveless A-line with a V-neckline and a hem that runs high in front and low behind. A lace-up tie at the front closes it and lets you adjust the fit through the bodice.
The overall look sits between steampunk and Renaissance. It is cut more like an everyday dress than a full costume, so it pairs easily with modern boots or a jacket.
- Cut: Sleeveless, V-neck, A-line
- Closure: Front lace-up tie
- Hem: High-low
- Fabric: 82% polyester, 15% cotton, 3% elastane
- Colors: Purple, black, blue, brown and green
- Sizes: S through 2XL
The brand runs sales often, so the price on the page moves around. Check the current price at Scarlet Darkness instead of relying on a number you saw elsewhere.
A little background helps. The brand’s tagline is “Discover Your Other Identity,” and it runs a loyalty program called Blood Moon Rewards.
Who is it for? Anyone who likes the Renaissance and steampunk look but wants one piece that works without assembling a full outfit. The tie does the decorative work, so shoes and accessories can stay simple.
Fabric and Care
Polyester leads the blend at 82%, so this is a synthetic-led dress rather than a natural-fiber one. The 15% cotton and 3% elastane are the small print: a touch of softness and a touch of stretch, with the lace-up tie doing most of the fitting.
The listing makes no claim that this dress breathes like a natural fiber. For a long day outdoors, a cotton or cotton-linen Renaissance top from the same brand may suit better, since the brand’s own materials page points to those blends for that style.
Think fashion-grade rather than heirloom, and note that the product page is upfront about what is in the fabric.
The care label is specific, and heat is the thing it rules out: no tumble dryer and a low ironing limit.
- Washing: Normal machine cycle, no hotter than 30°C.
- Bleach: Never.
- Drying: No tumble drying.
- Ironing: No hotter than 110°C and no steam. The label warns that steam can cause irreversible damage.
- Colors: Wash dark shades separately to avoid dye transfer.
Two extras go beyond the label. Undo the front tie before the wash so it is not pulled tight in the drum, and let the dress air dry flat or on a hanger.
The listing’s care note also warns against ironing PU (polyurethane) parts, so keep the iron away from any faux-leather trim.
Colors and Sizing
Buyers get five colors to choose from: purple, black, blue, brown and green. The size range stretches from S up to 2XL, which keeps the dress within the brand’s extended-size offer.
The lace-up tie gives this dress more built-in flexibility than a piece with a fixed seam. A tie closure leaves more room to adjust than a zipper does.
Color is mostly a matter of taste. Black is the easiest to dress up or down, while green, brown, blue and purple give the dress more personality. If you plan to buy more than one piece from the brand, remember that sizing can shift between colors.
Third-party review sites still flag uneven sizing between colorways of the same item for the brand. Measure yourself against the size chart instead of trusting a size from another brand.
Leave the tags on until you have tried the dress on properly. The brand’s return window only covers items that still have their original tags.
What Review Sites Flag
Few public threads cover this exact dress, so the feedback below describes the brand overall.
Third-party review sites show a polarized picture of Scarlet Darkness. Praise centers on distinctive designs, pieces that look like their photos and outfits that suit Renaissance faires. Complaints center on sizing that differs between colorways, occasional missing items on multi-piece orders, slow customer service and fabric that feels lighter in hand than the photos suggest.
None of these is disqualifying alone, but sizing is the one that keeps repeating. That is why the adjustable closure, the size chart and the tags-on rule matter here.
How It Compares
Inside the brand’s own range, this dress is the all-in-one option. The cotton Renaissance tops suit warm, active days, the high-low skirts pair with a separate top, and the long cloak adds a layer over almost anything else.
Outside the brand, Punk Rave is a useful point of comparison. Both sell corsets, Victorian tops and gothic dresses. Punk Rave leans toward punk-gothic crossover pieces and structured leather, while Scarlet Darkness leans toward Renaissance, steampunk and faire-ready looks.
Punk Rave generally costs more per piece, and reviews of it on third-party sites praise fit and durability. Scarlet Darkness is the lower-priced way into a similar style, with more sizing variation reported. If your wardrobe is closer to a faire than a goth club, this catalog is the better aimed of the two.
Returns are a wash. Reviewers of both brands on third-party sites mention slow refunds now and then, and Scarlet Darkness adds more sizing-related returns. Read the policy of whichever you choose before ordering.
Returns and Shipping
These are the brand’s stated terms, so read its policy page again before you order.
- Window: 14 days from the day the order arrives, with original tags attached and no makeup or deodorant marks.
- Sale orders: Final sale. Damaged sale items need photo or video proof.
- Return shipping: Paid by you, unless the item arrived damaged or incorrect.
- Refund timing: Roughly 3 to 5 days after your return arrives for inspection, then 1 to 3 more business days for the credit to post.
- Cancellations: Cancel an order before it ships and you are refunded in full.
- Shipping: The brand says it ships globally.
- Warranty: No separate warranty is published, so report any defect inside the return window.
Because sale orders cannot be returned for a refund, double-check your size before you buy a discounted dress. You can browse the range at Scarlet Darkness and check the size chart on each product page.
FAQ
Does the dress run true to size?
Third-party review sites report uneven sizing between colors of the same item for the brand. Use the size chart on the product page and let the lace-up tie absorb small differences.
Can I machine wash it?
Yes, according to the care label. Use a normal cycle at 30°C or cooler, skip bleach and never tumble dry.
Can I return it if I buy it on sale?
No. Sale orders are final, apart from items that arrive damaged and come with photo or video proof.
Does Scarlet Darkness ship outside the US?
Yes. The brand says it ships globally.
Can I wear it away from faires?
Yes. The cut is closer to an everyday dress than to a costume, so modern boots and a jacket make it easy to dress down.
Is Scarlet Darkness a legitimate brand?
Yes. It has operated since 2018 and runs a wholesale program and an active customer community. Feedback on third-party review sites is mixed, mostly about sizing and shipping, so order with the size chart open.
The Verdict
This lace-up dress is a sensible pick if you want a historical-leaning look and a closure that doubles as a fit adjuster. The adjustable tie does most of the work, and the care label is easy to follow.
Skip it if you need a natural-fiber dress, or if you need consistent sizing on every order without any measuring. Order against the size chart, keep the tags on until the fit is confirmed and remember that sale orders are final.
If you like the look but want a different shape, the brand’s skirts, tops and cloak cover the same historical themes. The dress is simply the single piece that needs no styling help.
If the cut appeals, you can browse the range at Scarlet Darkness and decide from there.
