Cocktail Dresses for Every Occasion

Last minute invitation? Always be ready for spur-of-the-moment soirées with one of these timeless cocktail dresses to suit your mood and your style. Casual-chic or dressed-to-the-nines, Trina Turk has a cocktail dress to suit every event on your calendar. 

When choosing a cocktail dress, there are a few things to keep in mind: 

• What is the dress code? 
• Where is the event being held? Indoors or outdoors?
• What time is the event?
• What will make me feel most confident? 

From summer to winter and everything in-between, we have rounded up our favorite, top-rated cocktail dresses ready for the next soirée on your event calendar. 

OUTDOOR WEDDINGS

So the invitation says "Cocktail Attire," and the venue is outdoors. First, what time of year is it? Is the weather in that location warm or cool? Could is spontaneously rain in the middle of the ceremony? What time will the event be held?
Find a mini, midi, or maxi dress in lightweight, flowy fabrics for a morning or afternoon wedding. Stick to solid colors or subdued prints (the last thing you want is to steal any attention from the bride). You'll want to bring a light sweater or shawl if the weather is cooler in the morning or in the late afternoon. Choose a structured sheath dress for a more polished look for an evening wedding. Go with a short or midi-length cocktail dress for an evening wedding - you could also choose a maxi dress, but avoid any evening gowns, as they may be too formal.

The Outdoor-Wedding-Guest Cocktail Dress

The Sana dress features a sweetheart neckline, short flutter sleeves, a sheath silhouette and a flounce hem, making it a fun and flirty choice for warm-weather weddings, elevated soireés, or dancing all night.

The Casual-Chic Cocktail Dress

The Shining Light dress is chic, breezy, and fabulous for your next cocktail hour. Hand-woven detailing at the neck and a relaxed, A-line silhouette make this bright cocktail dress a radiant choice for casual soirées. 

The Afternoon Soirée Cocktail Dress

The Kamila dress is flattering, ladylike, and ready for anything. From afternoon spritzers to a beachside wedding, this midi-length cocktail dress features wide straps (no need for a strapless bra), a fitted bodice, and a tiered A-line skirt making it a perfect choice for warm-weather soireés during the day or night.

The Flowy and Feminine Cocktail Dress

A timeless silhouette blends with a feminine fabrication in our ever-popular Immeasurable dress, back in a new print for the season. A high, banded neckline, cutout shoulders, a floaty trapeze silhouette, and tiered midi skirt makes it a charming choice for wedding guest dressing and dreamy vacation evenings.

 

PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL EVENTS

You were invited to an evening event, and the dress code says "Cocktail Attire," what are you going to wear? You'll want to ask yourself a few questions before we begin. What type of event is this? Is the event professional or personal? Is it a celebratory event like an anniversary or birthday? is it at someone's home or at a reserved venue? Are the hosts more reserved, or are they ready to party?

For professional events, you will want to make sure you dress more modestly than you would at a personal event. Choose structured dresses that are not too tight and not too short (even if you look great in bodycon dresses, professional events will require a bit more coverage). On the other hand, if you are looking for a business-appropriate cocktail dress, you may also want to stay away from loose, caftan-style dress silhouettes as they may look too casual for the event.

Personal events can be a bit more fun. Depending on the venue, the hosts, and the reason for the event, you could choose almost any type of cocktail dress - your favorite little black dress, a fitted sheath dress, a flowy A-line dress, or a dramatic maxi dress. Play around with different fabrics and silhouettes in vivid colors and bold patterns. When it comes to personal events, the cocktail dress possibilities are just about endless - although you may want to save your ball gown for your next black tie affair).

The Sophisticated Standout Cocktail Dress

Unique, eye-catching, and ultra-flattering, the ombré Padma dress offers a sophisticated sheath silhouette, saturated in modern color. Wear this short and colorful cocktail dress with heels and statement earrings for an elevated evening look.

 

The Essential Cocktail Dress

The Short and Sexy Cocktail Dress