Cocktail dresses for drinks, dates and parties

Seven o’clock, a bar stool and a tiny bag

Think about the room first. At a bar or a birthday you’ll be standing, moving, leaning on a high stool, and a mini handles all of that. If it’s a work party or a restaurant with a dress code, take a midi that covers your knees when you sit down. Both lengths are here in about equal measure, with a few knee-length cuts between them.

Your bag should hold a phone and a card. That’s it.

Red satin on straps, brown velvet with a wrap

Our red satin slip is the date-night one. It’s a mini on thin straps with a deep V and no sleeves, so wear a strapless or stick-on bra and nothing else under it. In January, throw an oversized black blazer on top and add sheer tights.

Under the yellow lamps of a restaurant, chocolate velvet glows warmer than black. This cocktail dress wraps into a deep V, gathers at the waist and has long sleeves, and we sew it from stretch velvet that moves when you walk. Gold earrings and a gold bracelet, and you’re done.

For something quieter, the powder pink lurex wrap has a soft shine, nice with nude matte tights and nude or gold shoes. The emerald velvet mini on thin straps goes the other way and gets noticed from the door.

A December party with dancing

Pick a pleated velvet. Our red pleated midi bares the shoulders and has three-quarter sleeves, and the tiny folds move with you all night, which matters when there’s a dance floor and a long playlist. Low, steady heels.

The lavender velvet midi with a slit is softer. It covers the arms and the neckline, the slit shows a little leg when you step, and silver earrings suit it best. Our satin and floral cocktail styles are warm-season pieces. They return in March.

Frequently asked questions

How long can a cocktail dress be?

Mid-thigh to mid-calf. A floor-length gown usually looks too formal for that invitation. If you like a hem right at the knee, there’s a separate page of knee-length party dresses.

Is the satin made of silk?

No. It’s a smooth synthetic satin with a silky look. More of it lives among the satin styles for cocktails.

Which size in a wrap?

Go by your hips. The tie adjusts the top, so the bust matters less, and we cut each style from XS to XL.

What do I wear over thin straps in winter?

A cropped fur jacket or a big blazer. Take it off once the music starts.