Designer Cocktail Dresses

What to wear for cocktail attire

Cocktail attire sits between smart casual and black tie: a knee to midi length dress in a dressy fabric, with heels and a small bag. Read the dress code in our cocktail attire guide and our global guide to cocktail dresses. For black tie, move up to evening gowns.

Party season: Christmas, holiday and New Year’s Eve dresses

Party season is when cocktail dresses work hardest. See our guides to Christmas party dresses, work Christmas party outfits, holiday party dresses and New Year’s Eve dresses.

Shop cocktail dresses by length and finish

• Midi cocktail dresses: the most versatile length, from weddings to work events; browse midi dresses.
• Mini party dresses: for nights out and New Year’s Eve; see embellished mini dresses and long sleeve mini dresses.
• Little black dresses: the most versatile cocktail dress; see little black dresses.
• Sequins, velvet and satin: the evening finishes that make a dress a cocktail dress; browse sequin dresses, velvet dresses and corset dresses.

Cocktail dresses for weddings and engagements

For a cocktail-attire wedding, choose a midi in a jewel tone and browse wedding guest dresses. For an engagement party, see our engagement party dresses guide.

Cocktail dresses: FAQs

What is a cocktail dress?

A cocktail dress is a dressy, knee to midi length dress made for early evening parties and semi-formal events. Designer cocktail dresses lean on evening finishes: satin, velvet, sequins, beading and embellishment.

What is cocktail attire for women?

Cocktail attire means a knee to midi length dress, a dressy jumpsuit and polished separates, with heels and a small bag. It sits between smart casual and black tie. Our cocktail attire guide covers the details.

How long should a cocktail dress be?

Anywhere from just above the knee to mid-calf. Minis suit parties and nights out, while midi cocktail dresses are the safer choice for weddings, work events and older venues.

What is the difference between a cocktail dress and an evening gown?

A cocktail dress is knee to midi length and suits semi-formal events. An evening gown is floor length and is worn to black tie events, galas and formal evening weddings.

Can I wear a cocktail dress to a wedding?

Yes. A cocktail dress is right for most semi-formal and cocktail-attire weddings, especially in the afternoon and early evening. Avoid white and ivory, and see our wedding guest dresses for more.

What should I wear to a Christmas party?

Most Christmas parties call for cocktail attire: a sequin mini, a velvet midi and a satin slip with a heel all work. Our Christmas party dresses guide goes through each kind of party.

What colour cocktail dress is most versatile?

Black. A little black cocktail dress works for parties, dinners and weddings, and changes with your accessories; see our little black dresses edit. Jewel tones are the next most versatile.

What shoes go with a cocktail dress?

Heeled sandals, slingbacks and pointed pumps suit most cocktail dresses. Match the formality of the dress: embellished shoes with a plain dress, and simple shoes with a beaded or sequin one.