Cocktail dresses are the core of any cocktail attire outfit, and it is critical to respect the dress code required at semi-formal events and swanky late afternoon parties.
However, not all cocktail dresses are made equal, and choosing the right one depends on several factors, such as the dress code, event type, weather, season, location, and more.
There are cocktail dresses designed for weddings, birthday parties, theatres, Gallas, after-work events, and even professional get-togethers.
In this article, I’ll introduce you to 50 cocktail dresses curated by our style experts by location, event type, body type, and more to ensure you respect the dress code.
1. Cocktail Dresses for Weddings
Interestingly, most women think a little black dress must be the number one choice for a wedding cocktail dress attire.
If you want to stand out from the crowd, opt for a super-feminine linen dress | minimalisticLinen in a light color – highly suitable at any beach wedding event.
Materials like silky fabric, lace, linen, or chiffon create a charming look and make you feel like a guest of honor at any event, from formal business meetings to daytime weddings.
To finish the look, add a pair of flats and matching accessories for a super stylish vibe apart from the general crowd.
Linen Dress With Pockets
Aqua Red One-Shoulder Dress
Ruffled Off-the-Shoulder Dress
Asymmetric Lace Midi Dress
Sequin Long-Sleeve Dress
2. Dresses for Cocktail Parties
Party cocktail dresses stand out from the overall dress code for a good reason, and here’s why.
Party means a relaxed environment where you can play with your style and showcase your unique touch.
Instead of velvet, wool, and cashmere, the best party dresses are made of silk and satin adorned with 60s fashion sequins and feathers.
Consider lighter hues like baby blues, vibrant greens, deep, shiny charcoal, and even variations of yellow when choosing the right color.
The same applies to shoes and accessories; the colors must be fresh, young, and complimentary.
Sequin and Feathers Dress
Ruffle Midi Dress
Sleeveless Chiffon Dress
Slit Satin Dress
3. Long-sleeve Dresses for Evening Events
Not all cocktail dresses have to be strappy, strapless, or with cap sleeves.
A formal-style, long-sleeved cocktail dress with a more understated look is preferred on certain occasions.
You’d also want to wear long-sleeve cocktail dresses at conservative events or on cold-weather occasions.
However, a few considerations exist when shopping for a long-sleeve cocktail dress, such as length, silhouette, material, neckline, and color.
See below a selection of the best four cocktail dresses with sleeves, designed to create an elegant party look and perfect for fall-winter weather.
Long Sleeve Dress
Sequins Embellished Slip Dress
Plunging V Neck Fitted Dress
Knee Length Long Sleeve Sequin Dress
4. Dresses for Formal Cocktail Occasions
Without a doubt, the most suitable cocktail dress for a formal event remains the ‘little black dress.’
The little black dress is safe, stylish, and an excellent choice for formal dress code events and occasions if made from high-quality materials.
However, if you’re very comfortable with the event and want to stand out from the crowd, you can wear a formal cocktail dress with a twist, such as a side cut.
Or, if you’re bold, break the cocktail dress code and wear a short dress paired nicely with sleek accessories for a unique appearance.
Midi Cocktail Dress
Off-Shoulder Mini Dress
Mini Dress
Long Dress
5. Dresses for Summer Cocktail Events
Floral cocktail outfits are lighter than you might have worn to a winter event in fabric, color, and overall feel.
Floral cocktail dresses are highly suitable for outdoor parties and can meet the dress code requirements while keeping you stylish and trendy.
Floral cocktail dresses symbolize new beginnings, the first flower buds popping up again after a long, cold winter, feeling fresh and rejuvenated.
Just make sure your floral dresses are lightweight fabric with a flattering drape for a lovely look, like those of boho styles.
Match them with wooden-style block heels and similar chic accessories to complete the outfit.
Floral Sleeveless Sheath Dress
Floral Embroidered Short Sheath Dress
Floral Faux Wrap Dress
Floral Embroidered Flared Dress
6. Dresses for Beach Events
The category of beach cocktail dresses stands out from the rest by being designed to leave plenty of room for fun.
Designed as eye-catching ensembles, beach cocktail dresses sport bold patterns, cuts, and materials, as the dresses selected below.
Complete the look with playful earrings and color-matching – comfortable – shoes for a bold and chic look, perfect for swanky vacation events and beach parties.
Open-Back Sequin Mini Dress
One-Shoulder Fringe Midi Dress
Embroidered Lace Cutout Maxi Dress
Lace Corset Midi Dress
7. Designer Cocktail Dresses
There are designer cocktail dresses in all styles and types, made to navigate the most challenging events.
I love designer cocktail dresses; most are cut to appear event-appropriate without making you look like you’re heading to the office.
Below, I’ve curated four of the most wanted designer cocktail dress styles, showcasing a sweet blend of trendy and timeless sophistication.
Finalize the look with a pair of black patent shoes, golden jewelry, bracelets, earrings, and a shoes-matching baguette designer bag.
Removable Bubble-Sleeve Minidress
Sequin Mini-Dress
Plunging V-Neck Midi-Dress
Semi-Sheer Cutout Minidress
8. Sexy Cocktail Dresses
Choosing the right cocktail dress style to ensure sufficient sexiness without looking like you’re heading to the nightclub can be more complicated than you think.
Some sexy cocktail dresses are more suitable for a “beach dress contest,” while others are too office-like.
What you want in a sexy cocktail dress is the perfect blend of relaxed with precise cuts, complemented by vibrant hues.
Sexy isn’t too revealing but comfortable, unrestrictive, and well accompanied by shoes and accessories, as the cocktail dresses curated below.
And, to balance the sexiness out of these dresses, wear stylish cocktail shoes, a posh handbag, a statement pearl necklace, and matching earrings.
One Shoulder Black Dress
Red Solid Bandage Slip Dress
One Shoulder Dress
Mesh Sleeve Square Neck Dress
9. Cocktail Dresses for Plus Size Bodies
Choosing the correct plus-size clothing measure for a plus-size cocktail dress is trickier as it requires understanding angles, colors, and lighting.
While black is always fashionable, shades like navy, burgundy, and emerald green suit curvy bodies.
Select cocktail dresses in flowy, relaxed fabric and unique details to ensure your cocktail dress isn’t too casual or plain.
Complete the look with mid-heeled sandals and a small shoulder bag.
Wear a colorful silk headband instead of heavy rings and jewelry for a fun touch.
Tulip Velvet Sheath Dress
Ruched Mini Dress
Side-Tie Midi Dress
Embroidered Lace Dress
10. Cocktail Dresses for Petites
Finding stunning cocktail dresses for those with different body types, sizes, and shapes has always been a big problem – not anymore.
In this section, I’ve curated four unique body-inclusive cocktail dresses from the best stores; try them!
While the overall aesthetic matters, as most petite cocktail dresses are cute naturally, pay attention to the material type and the body proportions.
Below is a curation of some of the trendiest cocktail dresses from ASOS’s petite clothing collection.
Structured Mini Dress
Sleeve Corset Mini Dress
Cut Out Satin Mini Slip Dress
Petite Ruched Mini Dress
What is Considered a Cocktail Dress?
Any semi-formal dress designed in the late afternoon or early evening at social gatherings, events, or occasions can be considered a cocktail dress.
The style of a cocktail dress must answer to the transitory space between casual daytime wear and fancy evening wear.
Is Cocktail Attire Short or Long Dress?
The cocktail attire dress code requires cocktail dresses to be knee-length and designed to be worn at late afternoon or early evening social gatherings, events, or occasions.
Does Cocktail Attire Mean Short Dress?
No, a cocktail dress is designed for afternoon-evening semi-formal events and occasions.
As such, it is a blend of casual and sophisticated. The ideal length of a cocktail dress is knee-length.
What is Cocktail Casual Wear?
A small step above semi-formal, though not as formal as the dresses for a black-tie event, cocktail dresses balance elegance and comfort.
The typical cocktail dress is more formal than a day wedding but more casual than a night celebration.
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With an AA from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles and over five years of experience in the fashion industry, Susan Kim is the founder of Sum+Style Co. - a Seattle-based personal styling company turned online marketplace focused on innovative K-Fashion (Korean Fashion) styles. Kim's expertise in men's and women's styling for the most demanding occasions has her editorial pieces covered by top fashion and style magazines worldwide.
Can I wear a short, summer style colorful dress, at an indoor cocktail party or is it too casual?