Perfect cocktail dresses for every occasion
Put the joy back into dressing up with fun, fabulous cocktail dresses guaranteed to turn heads
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Classic cocktail dresses may be anything but humble, but it seems they’ve become rather overlooked of late. A mainstay of glamorous nights on the town during the 1980s, ‘90s and Noughties, the combined forces of Mrs Prada, Phoebe Philo and Sarah Burton turned our heads away from shimmering look-at-me micro-minis and towards the quiet luxury of clean, minimal lines and long, lean silhouettes during the 2010s. Forget skyscraper heels – every cool girl knew Stan Smiths were the only shoes to be seen in.
Then the pandemic hit and many of us practically forgot about fashion altogether. After all, why bother searching for a perfectly cut white shirt or adhering to the latest trouser trends when the world is only going to see you from the shoulders up via Zoom? Even post-lockdown, the whiplash that lingered from frequently changing rules left many reluctant to invest in the kind of clothing that required a real occasion. As they say, you can plan a pretty picnic but you can’t predict when the rule of six will come back into force.
But the year is 2025 and thigh-skimming hemlines, sequins, lace and sparkle are seemingly everywhere. So, really, you’ve no excuse not to nail a cocktail dress code. But before we get to the fun part (the shopping, obviously), allow me to clear up any confusion over what a cocktail dress actually entails.
Firstly, we are absolutely not talking about gowns. Turn up to a cocktail party in anything longer than a midi dress and you will feel vastly overdressed. Instead, a good cocktail dress should walk the line between formal and smart-casual. It should call for heels or party flats (sorry, Stan Smith fans), a hemline that falls somewhere between mini and midi and, ideally, design elements that make it clear this is not office attire. Think textured fabrics, embellishment, vibrant colours and flamboyant patterns. The cocktail dress is truly the peacock of the fashion world.
So, grab your sparkliest clutch and your finest metallic eyeshadow palette. It’s time to go out-out in one of this season’s best cocktail dresses.
Black cocktail dresses
If short, flirty, frothy dresses aren’t exactly your comfort zone, a trusty LBD will see you through pretty much every celebratory occasion. Choose wisely and a simple change of accessories will yield a different look every time. So, even if you stretch your budget, the cost-per-wear will make it a savvy investment. Add interest with the help of subtle embellishments or unusual design details.
Dolce & Gabbana gathered satin midi dress
Big night out planned? Embrace the power of simplicity with Dolce & Gabbana’s sumptuous satin midi dress. Accessorise with statement gold jewellery for Hollywood glamour at its best.
Reiss Adina tux mini dress
This seriously chic mini dress turns the tuxedo on its head. Wear with sky high heels for party time or opaque tights and chunky boots for an edgy office look.
Self-Portrait floral-appliqué mini dress
Self-Portrait’s take on the LBD comes adorned with floral appliqués and ribbon detailing. Pretty, feminine and wonderfully elegant, you’ll be the talk of the dance floor.
Rebecca Vallance faux pearl-embellished mini dress
Rows of faux pearl embellishments and puffy sleeves imbue this short Rebecca Vallance number with vintage glamour. No jewellery required.
Metallic cocktail dresses
Nothing says party time like slinky, shimmery gowns rendered in light-reflecting metallic fabrics. And, while gold and silver are great, this season’s best metallic cocktail dresses are hewn in a spectrum of hues ranging from inky greys to eye-popping neons. Not a fan of a short hemline? A metallic midi is every bit as cocktail hour-appropriate as its miniature cousin.
Maison Margiela metallic mini dress
Rendered in a silver-tone metallic finish, Maison Margiela’s glitzy mini dress offers an elegant and equally show-stopping style – a playful twist on classic cocktail dressing.
Bella Freud Anjelica dress
Ramp up the sex appeal (without giving too much away) in Bella Freud’s ruched, sculpted, high-neck gown.
Area metallic dress
Playful and flirty, Area’s silver fringed halter dress features a unique knotted design that’s perfect for twirling around the dance floor.
Saint Laurent lamé dress
Crafted in a luxurious structured gunmetal fabric with a flattering asymmetric silhouette, Mugler’s metallic mini dress is the last word in elegant dressing.
Colourful cocktail dresses
Looking for a party dress that you can repurpose come next summer’s wedding season? Allow us to point you in the direction of something bright, bold and endlessly versatile. The rules here are simple. Opt for one solid hue that doesn’t stray too far into either pastel or jewel tones and look for finishings that scream 1960s hostess. Think feather trims, crystal details and floaty, exaggerated silhouettes.
Emilia Wickstead Einna floral cloqué mini dress
A subtle A-line silhoutte sweetened with floral cloqué detailing, this Emilia Wickstead dress is a byword for minimal dressing with big impact.
Tove Sabella midi dress
Be the best dressed Lady in Red in this strapless number from Tove. Flattering, velvety smooth and beautifully bold, it’s a go-to for the festive season.
Aje Camille one-shoulder mini dress
You’ll definitely make a statement in this mini from Aje. A one-shoulder design in bright pink and featuring appliqués of petals, it’s girly, funky and pairs well with a glass of champagne.
Roksanda Almas midi dress
A sweeping midi silhouette that gathers at the waist with soft pleats, this Roksanda dress is a real stand out.
Embellished cocktail dresses
The festive season may be the perfect excuse to wear head-to-toe sequins (in fact, we actively encourage it) but any cocktail dress code is reason to don a little bit of sparkle. Steer clear of all-over embroidery or crystals and opt for the unexpected – pearls and Pop Art-style details are the perfect alternative.
Self-portrait crystal-embellished fishnet dress
Who needs jewellery when Self-Portrait has done the hard work for you? Trimmed with crystals and sequins in a festive hue, this simple shift is the epitome of understated envy-inducing style.
Clio Peppiatt Gradient mini dress
Keep styling minimal if you opt for Clio Peppiatt’s Gradient dress. It’s hand-beaded pastel pink gradient and shimmering crystals do all the talking.
David Koma embellished-strap dress
Take a break from all-over embellishment with David Koma’s midi dress. A hint of sparkle courtesy of crystal lined straps speak volumes.
Sandro pearl-embellished dress
An all-over pearl-embellished design, Sandro’s longline dress is sophisticated, fun and perfect for swishing about dance floors in.
Patterned cocktail dresses
Tricky cut-outs and voluminous silhouettes aren’t for everyone. Good news, then, that all you really need do to stand out from the crowd is find a dress in your favoured style rendered in a gorgeous print. Florals, geometric, graphic: the choice is yours, just make it loud.
Rixo Delphina mini dress
There’s florals and then there’s Rixo florals. Pretty, whimsical and adding a splash of colour to a black velvet backdrop, this Sixties-inspired design is effortlessly glam.
Prada floral-print dress
Prada’s dainty floral print gives this racy mini a wonderfully girlish aesthetic.
Farm Rio Snake Garden print dress
Farm Rio’s intricate ‘sanke garden’ floral print is whimsical, wintry and the perfect foil for a minimalist slip dress.
Zimmermann Hypnotic Frill maxi dress
Zimmermann has built an entire brand on floaty, feminine pieces saturated with painterly prints. With a neutral colour palette and ruffled detailing, its Hypnotic dress adds contemporary princess vibes.
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