The Best Party Dresses for Every Occasion

Choosing a dress to suit the occasion is about more than just looking good. You want to adhere to the dress code, be comfortable, and attract just the right amount of attention.

Every occasion invites a style of dressing, and some dresses may be more appropriate for one occasion than another. In our guide, we’ll walk you through what to wear to different events with examples of the best party dresses, so you’ll always be dressed to impress!

Homecoming Party Dress

Style 54791 in ligt Blue.

Choosing a dress for homecoming is all about being you and projecting your personality in the way you look. The first thing to consider is whether your homecoming has a theme. If it does, that makes your choice a lot easier! If not, you’ll need to find a dress that shows your classmates who you are.

Since homecoming is a dance that has a more playful vibe than a super formal event like prom, you can take the opportunity to go with an offbeat silhouette. For instance, a maxi romper like the one above embodies flirty fun with dramatic glamour.

White Tie Party Dress

sherri hill party dresses

White tie parties are a step above black tie events, which means that you can go all-out with your formal dress. If you’re getting married in a very formal ceremony, a white tie gown is a wonderful wedding dress option. But many brides will wear a white tie-appropriate wedding gown even if their wedding is less formal; it’s their big day and they can wear a dramatic, eye-catching look, no matter what!

Going all-out can mean making an entrance in a ball gown like the one pictured above, with embellishments galore. If you’re choosing a ball gown, keep in mind whether or not there will be any dancing and how easy it is for you to move.

Evening dresses and floor-length gowns cut closer to the body are also stunning options for a white tie affair. When in doubt, talk to the people organizing the event or the friends you’re going with to get an idea of the vibe.

Office Party Dress

sherri hill party dresses

The office party is an occasion shared with people you work with. Some will be friends, others colleagues, and there will be those from higher in the hierarchy than you for whom you want to make a good impression. Your bosses will be present, so dress to impress!

Think respectable but glamorous. You may wear a dress for work, and you want to be completely different at a party. A dress that reflects your outgoing side will be a good choice – red is a great party color to exude confidence and sociability.

When it comes to silhouette, you’ll probably want to play it more modestly than you would for a night out, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style. Like in our example above, you can go for a long sleeve to balance out the hemline of a shorter dress, or try a high neck if you’re concerned about chest coverage.

Cocktail Party Dress

sherri hill party dresses

When you’re attending a cocktail party, you can get a little more playful with your attire than if you’re heading to a work event or a white tie party. If you’re going to a cocktail party with friends, it can be helpful to check in and see what they’re wearing. Don’t feel pressured to wear the same exact thing, but use it as a guide to selecting the perfect dress of your own.

Cocktail parties and cocktail dresses go hand in hand. Cocktail dresses tend to be shorter in length, giving them that playful vibe, and they can come in a variety of silhouettes and colors. Because of their length, they’re often easy to move and dance in, which is a bonus if your cocktail party has a dance floor!

For a look that balances understated with glam, go with a dress like the one above, featuring a neutral background but lots of embellishments. If you favor bold colors, hot pink, red, and metallic blue can help you stand out from the crowd.

A Dress for All Occasions

Style 54796 in Fuchsia.

Your any-occasion-appropriate dress should be a timeless piece in your wardrobe that you can pull out for any occasion. Such a dress will save you from having to make last-minute shopping trips for a night out, your friend’s dinner party, a wedding invite, or a surprise date.

Little black dresses tend to be the go-to for a versatile semi-formal look, but don’t be afraid to go with a bold color that you love and feel confident wearing. A dress like the one above can suit any party or other event because of its timeless silhouette and its hint of glam.

Cocktail dresses are known for their versatility, so if you’re looking to add an all-occasion dress to your wardrobe, that’s a good place to start your search.

Finding the Best Party Dresses

Understanding the dress code for an event can sometimes be tricky – often, it feels like there are unspoken rules. With our guide, though, we can help you shop for the best party dresses for any occasion!