Red Cocktail Dresses

Red Cocktail Dresses

Red is a classic color that exudes boldness and vibrancy, and wearing the shade may even give you a boost of confidence. A red cocktail dress is the perfect way to make an entrance at your next cocktail attire event or special night out. 

For a sophisticated red cocktail dress look, go with form-fitting silhouettes that hug your body. If you’re hoping to add a bit of whimsy to your look, stick with cocktail dresses that have a fuller skirt (perfect for dancing) or details like bows, ruffles, or prints. 

Red is a great color to wear to winter and spring events if you’re taking pictures beforehand and want to stand out against natural photo backdrops. Red also makes for a gorgeous color in the summer or fall, complementing the summer sunset tones as well as changing leaves in the autumn. 

Light Red Cocktail Dresses

Lighter shades of red are the understated yet still bold shades that make a showstopping entrance. Go for a lighter shade, closer to pink or violet, to tone down the audaciousness of pure red but still stand out from the crowd. 

Shades of red with bluer undertones tend to fit well with people who have cool undertones in their hair and skin. Look for warmer reds if you have warm undertones. 

Nude shoes will keep the attention on your dress, as will more demure jewelry. Black or white is great for dynamic contrast with your shoes and accessories. Red and white can give a bit of a retro glam look, while black can give more of a sophisticated vibe. Metallics can also be elevated and complementary, especially gold. Don’t be afraid to experiment, though! 

Dark Red Cocktail Dresses 

Burgundy or wine colored dresses add a dose of formality to a red look and can also tone down the audaciousness of the color red. Dark red on a dress adds a dollop of mysteriousness, striking a balance with the usually loud shade.

Deeper shades of red can be a good fit for cooler undertones, especially as cool deep reds tend to be more common. Warm deep reds can still be found, but no matter what your skin and hair undertones are, be sure to try on any dress that you fall in love with; you may be surprised! 

Dark red cocktail dresses pair nicely with accessories in black or metallic tones. Go with nude or dyed-to-match shoes (that aren’t too strappy or busy) to keep the attention on your dress. Delicate sandals can also complete your look without competing with your dress, especially in gold. 

Short Red Cocktail Dresses

While most cocktail dresses tend to already be on the shorter side (around knee-length or a little above), you can go with an even shorter hemline if you’re looking to show off your legs. To really own this look, select a dress that’s fitted all the way through the bodice and skirt; to give the illusion of a little more length, go with an A-line look. 

Be mindful of the dress code for any event you plan on wearing an ultra-short look to, as it may not be appropriate for more elevated events. When in doubt, go a little longer. 

What Events to Wear a Red Cocktail Dress To

A red cocktail dress is perfect for your next birthday dinner, but it can also be great for evening bar events, gallery openings, plays, and other events similar to these. 

Exercise caution when choosing a red cocktail dress for a wedding event, especially if it’s for something like a rehearsal dinner. While red used to be a taboo color for a wedding, it’s not so much anymore; however, you want to be sure that you don’t upstage the couple getting married on their big day. With red’s boldness, it’s good to be careful.

If you’re hoping to wear your new piece to more formal events, look for cocktail dresses that have details like beading. Alternatively, you can add a pair of elbow-length gloves that match your dress (or consider a complementary neutral like black). 

Looking Vibrant and Bold in a Red Cocktail Dress 

No matter what shade of red you choose, you’re sure to turn heads at your next event. For a cocktail dress look that’s versatile and can be a great backdrop for red accessories, take a look at our collection of black cocktail dresses.