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The best cocktail dresses check off all the boxes for a festive wardrobe investment—versatile yet striking, timeless while still of the moment. And because the best way to bask in summer’s exceptional weather is through a lively get-together, it feels timely to survey the season’s most energetic dress options for any upcoming parties, weddings, or formal gatherings you may have on the calendar.
What to shop? Unsurprisingly, floral and bright colors will be major players, with standouts from print masters like Markarian and Bernadette in the mix. Clever cutouts and sorbet-hued sequins will also dominate, as will tactile design details such as beading, crystal, and feather embellishments from need-to-know names like Rachel Gilbert, Olivia von Halle, and Wales Bonner. Also be on the lookout for optimistic color combinations crafted in body-celebrating silhouettes (cue Christopher John Rogers!). There’s a lot to take in, so get a head start and continue below for 40 of the season’s best cocktail dresses.
The Fresh Floral
Taking cues from IRL blooms, the season’s best floral cocktail dresses offer a kaleidoscopic burst of color. These fresh prints translate to all of summer’s best occasions, from weddings and dinner parties to a long-haul getaway somewhere by the sea.
The Vacation Piece
Cement your summer travel wardrobe with a vacation-ready cocktail dress. Look to textures such as crochet, macrame, or fringe to elevate the silhouette, or even an exquisite tie-dyed silk in evening shades of green and blue.
The Shimmer and Shine
As a category, the cocktail dress is innately festive. Commit to this celebratory theme and slip into one that shimmers and shines in the light (we’re especially taken with those crafted in sorbet hues to mimic the sunset’s palette).
The Boudoir Lace
The lasting appeal of delicate lace can’t be overstated, and this season’s boudoir-inspired cocktail dresses from favorites like Sir. and Rodarte solidify the attraction. Often in a slip silhouette, this one’s for the elegantly seductive type.
The Little White Dress
Introducing summer’s counterpart to the timeless LBD, the little white dress enters the cocktail category with ease. Go for one that’s sleek and minimal (as seen at Toteme), or try an energetic piece like Olivia von Halle’s fringe-adorned slip.
The Festive Texture
The cocktail dress is a piece that’s made to move, so slip into one that makes it easy to. Beads, feathers, sequins, or crystals—whatever your preference for festive texture may be, a tactile embellishment will always set a celebratory tone.
The Clever Cut-Out
Serving a dual purpose of breathability and uniqueness, the dress cutout hits its stride for warm summer outings. There’s Beaufille’s bralette-shaped cutout for the bold at heart, or Mara Hoffman’s subtler take that's equally as appealing.
The Halter Mini
A little bit retro and a whole lot of fun, the halter mini is ideal for summer cocktail parties by the pool. Lean into the nostalgia with a scarf-printed pick, or go timeless in a striking ivory option crafted in satin.
The Silk Slip
A silky slip dress is a perennial favorite, particularly for those last-minute soirées. Throw yours on, slip into a pair of strappy sandals, and layer on (or off) jewelry to match the mood of the evening.
The Romantic Shoulder
For an air of romance and whimsy, a puffed-up sleeve that reveals a flash of shoulder is always a safe bet. This silhouette reads especially chic in floral, but can also translate to a solid palette like classic black or a pale rose hue.
