The 13 Best Cocktail Dresses for Weddings That Deliver Easy Sophistication

Available sizes: XXS-XL

Elsa Hosk’s newest Helsa Faille Dress is this dress that does it all. The fit gets you as it cinches you from your chest to mid-thighs and flows out with the bubble hem design. It features a blend of cotton, nylon, and elastane that feels like a gentle hug—yes, it’s that comfortable. Plus, it has an overall versatile silhouette, allowing you to wear it in multiple ways, making your investment worthwhile. This frock is soon to be everyone’s go-to cocktail dress for fall and winter weddings, but don’t worry because the great thing about personal style is that we can all be wearing the same black dress, but we can style them differently, creating an entirely new look, explains Levitt.

Material: 69% cotton, 28% nylon, 3% elastane

Colors: 1

Length: Midi

Available sizes: XS-L

If you need a sign to add an LBD, a forever staple to your wardrobe, then this is it. Staud’s Delilah Rosette Dress is the ultimate dress to have on hand for cocktail-attire weddings and holiday parties. It’s the perfect combination of feminine, sophisticated, and sexy with its classic satin-like fabric and universally loved silhouette that’s drapey at the top with the cowl neck, fitted in the waist, and flowy toward the hem. The dress has no stretch but keeps its structure and is seamless to take on and off. The removable 3D rosette on the left shoulder strap is the cherry on top because it adds a bit of personality to an otherwise simple dress. Pair with low-heeled sandals and a mini shoulder bag.

Material:76% acetate, 24% polyester

Colors: 1

Length: Mini

Available sizes: XXS to XL

We love a floral dress for a cocktail wedding, especially when it’s minimalistically designed and features a muted palette. Stine Goya, a Danish female designer, crafted the most perfect number—its beauty lies in its details. The frock features adjustable crisscross back straps that hang nicely on the back and deliver interest. It is made of a viscose-blend fabric that feels silky and adds to the style’s opulent appeal. The floral pattern is hand-drawn and takes inspiration from the design and art worlds. While floral dresses are notoriously considered warm-weather styles, this one can be worn year-round with sheer tights and pointed-toe slingbacks for a winter wedding and with open-toe gold or pale-pink heels for a spring wedding.

Material: 54% tencel lyocell, 46% viscose

Colors: 1

Length: Midi

Available sizes: S-XL

Prettygarden, a famous womenswear label, knows a thing or two about wardrobe heroes that are anything but basic. Its bodycon dress speaks to what the brand does best with its skin-tight construction that hits the body in all the right places, non-irritating fabric, and off-the-shoulder straps that drape elegantly on the arms. It is a favorite on Amazon, with over 500 five-star reviews and over 100 shoppers buying it in the past month alone. “The dress was elegant, formal yet classy, and comfortable,” wrote one Amazon reviewer. The material is so soft; it’s form-fitted but stretches great. I danced all night with no issues!” Since the silhouette is flattering, comfortable, and affordable, we recommend picking one in a bright color for a summer wedding and one in a neutral or warm tone for a winter or fall wedding.

Material: 90% Polyamide, 10% Elastane

Colors: 20

Length: Midi

Available sizes: XXS-XL

Lean into sparkle with an embellished frock like the Yarin Dress from More to Come. This mini dress is more playful than a traditional elegant cocktail dress, but it works for many cocktail attire weddings, especially ones that are located in casual settings like at a trendy restaurant or in the backyard of someone’s home. We love how the dress has dainty straps for a refined appeal and a full lining, ensuring you stay comfortable all night. Style the frock with black or silver pointed, closed-toe pumps and diamond stud earrings to prevent the dress from looking sultry.

Material: Polyester blend

Colors: 1

Length: Mini

Available sizes: XXS-XL

Norma Kamali’s Diana Dress is an iconic wedding guest dress. We’ve seen the number repeatedly on our social media feeds on all types of women—and it catches our attention every time. Between the different colors and lengths offered and the flattering all-over ruching, we’re not surprised that the silhouette has been sold for over 40 years. However, we have yet to see this style with the single-shoulder design—and we’re obsessed. The long sleeve with its asymmetrical hem screams d-r-a-m-a but isn’t too much because of the simple mini-fitted structure. It’s a surefire way to get some attention yet not take it all off the bride.

Material: 95% polyester, 5% spandex

Colors: 1

Length: Mini

Available sizes: 00-24

When in doubt, opt for a slip dress for a cocktail-dress wedding. It’s one of the most versatile silhouettes, as it can be worn alone with playful jewelry or styled with a belt to create volume on the top and raise the hemline. So, if a slip dress is something you’ve had in mind for your next cocktail attire wedding, go for J’Crew’s Gwyneth dress. This best-selling slip dress has taken the internet by storm for good reasons. It has a stylish ease because it sits effortlessly on all body shapes. Between the solid shades like gold and black and the patterns like polka dots and stripes, this is the ultimate glamorous choice you’ll have in your rotation for years. “This was a lovely addition to my wardrobe this season because of its versatility,” says one reviewer. “Plus, it’s very luxurious but easy to care for.”

Material: 100% polyester

Colors: 8

Length: Midi

Available sizes: XS-XL

Andrea Iyamah is a Nigerian-owned clothing line inspired by ethnic cultures and nature. It’s typically known for its unique swimwear silhouettes, but it also has many wedding dresses that are great for all dressers, even modest ones. The Ratu Dress is a maxi-style dress that covers the body from the neck to the ankles. It has a large drape-like upper that conceals the chest and shoulders. Unlike other modest dresses, this one is tight-fitting from the ribcage to the hem, which we love because it lets the wearer show off their figure while remaining unostentatious. We can’t forget to mention the ruched detailing that adds elements of interest and the adjustable ties on the sides and shoulders, so you can make it as tight or loose as you prefer.

Material: Polyamide, spandex

Colors: 1

Length: Midi

Available sizes: XS-XL

When we tell you that this George Trochopolous Fringe Dress has been living rent-free in our minds, we’re not lying. This London-based eponymous label, loved by celebrities like Dua Lipa and Emma Chamberlain, is beloved for its uniquely crafted knit garments that aim to make women feel empowered in their clothes. The fuchsia number speaks to that with its semi-sheer striped design that gives a sliver of one’s skin and a string tie in the back to cinch the waist. There’s no denying this is the frock for someone looking to make a statement at a spring or summer destination wedding. Let the dress do all the talking, and style it with simple black or beige heels, chunky silver earrings, and a slim clutch.

Material: 47% acrylic, 42% viscose, 4% nylon, 4% polyester, 1% elastane

Colors: 1

Length: Midi

Available sizes: 2-12

There’s something about a strapless dress. Whether it’s the usual form-fitting design or the way it beautifully shows off your chest, we more frequently than not find ourselves looking for strapless dresses when heading to special events. Bec and Bridge’s Elzette Dress is one of the most stunning numbers we’ve seen. It has an effortless appeal with the fitted bodice and loose skirt, effortlessly rolled hem, and sheer overlay fabric. Plus, the baby blue shade is calming but joyful. Thanks to the delicate material, this number is best for outdoor weddings on the beach—style with a gold or silver satin bag and sparkly earrings.

Material: 95% nylon, 5% spandex

Colors: 1

Length: Midi

Available sizes: XXS-XL

Whether you want to cover your arms because of brisk temperatures or because you don’t like showing them off, a long-sleeve dress is an excellent option for a cocktail attire wedding. Seroya, the emerging, gender-neutral contemporary brand grounded on social purpose, has many great options, like its Imogen Dress. This dress has an understated design with its body-hugging silhouette. Still, it is elevated and statement-making with its high-shine sparkly fabric in a barbie-pink hue and foldover off-the-shoulder neckline that’s sexy and lets you show off your decolletage. It’s a winner for winter and spring weddings because of its midi-length hem and long sleeves. To embrace your Barbie girl dreams, team it with light pink shoes and a matching evening purse.

Material: 94% polyester, 6% spandex

Colors: 1

Length: Midi

Available sizes: XS-L

Being on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing style for price. Chloefairy’s dress is the perfect example with its ruffle asymmetrical hem that allows you to show off your legs modestly, stylish open-back design, and slightly ruched detailing on the bodice, which adds to its flattering fit. This dress has an Amazon Choice badge, meaning it’s highly rated, well-priced, and available to ship immediately. “I wore this for my cousin’s cocktail wedding, and I got so many compliments,” says one Amazon reviewer. “I am petite, but I don’t have a flat stomach, and I did have to wear Spanx to feel comfortable, but the ruching and the mesh material on the dress were very forgiving. I also had a drink spilled on me, and it didn’t stain or leave any watermarks.”

Material: Polyester

Colors: 3

Length: Midi

Available sizes: 14 to 28

If you’re unfamiliar, Eloquii is a wardrobe staple brand for plus-size girlies. They offer cute, flattering, and high-quality pieces that are guaranteed to fit in all the right places and serve style. The Draped Asym Dress is a favorite for weddings because of the intricate details like the draped asymmetrical high neckline, asymmetrical sleeves that cut the arms in a favorable wide, and the figure-skimming ruched sides that nod to the early aughts. Reviewers also note they love the stretchy polyester fabric because it moves seamlessly with them and the brown and white pattern because it’s a fresh take on a typical floral number.

Material: 100% polyester

Colors: 1

Length: Midi