If you've got a couple of fabulous parties in the diary coming up, you're probably on the hunt for a selection of cocktail dresses for over 50s to have you looking and feeling your best for this special occasion. After all, cocktail parties offer a great excuse to dress up and enjoy delicious drinks and nibbles with friends, loved ones, colleagues or associates.
If you're looking for the best dresses for mature women for your upcoming parties, Style Writer Phoebe Denman is on hand to help. Phoebe is passionate about writing fashion content for all ages, including women over 50. Having worked on numerous photoshoots with mature women - helping them look and feel their absolute best - you can trust her to recommend the most flattering and stylish pieces on the high street.
One question you may be asking yourself is, 'What is a cocktail dress?' Well, the modern definition has come to mean a shorter, above-the-knee style that is sophisticated but party-ready. We often associate cocktail dresses with darker colourways and tailored designs but the truth is, cocktail dresses for over 50s can come in such variety.
Best cocktail dresses for over 50s at a glance:
As your designated special occasion dress, it might be best to select a dress that's versatile. That way, you can wear your cocktail dress to more than one event. A simple trick you can use is switching up your accessories to keep your outfit feeling brand new every single time. But what exactly should you look for in a cocktail dress?
A cocktail dress can be similar in style to dresses worn to the races, so picture an Ascot-ready number when you're thinking of a dress to wear to your next cocktail party. Anything that's smart, sophisticated and polished will mean you're dressed for the occasion.
For women over 50, cocktail dresses can range from more relaxed maxi styles (not formal gowns) to elegant midi and chic knee-length options. Feel free to experiment with colour, patterns, and prints - this is your moment to express your personality through fashion. Whatever you choose, make sure your outfit reflects your confidence and style.
To clarify, cocktail dresses for "older women" can be whatever you want them to be. That said, striking the right balance between something fun without feeling too youthful, and elegant without leaning frumpy can be a challenge. Fortunately, that’s exactly where we come in.
So, here are the best cocktail dresses for over 50s for your next party.
Best cocktail dresses for over 50s
Our favourite cocktail dress
Goddivagoddiva.co.uk
Who doesn't love an easy floral dress? This dress is guaranteed to make you feel amazing and will remain a staple in your wardrobe thanks to its timeless style. The flutter sleeves ensure you feel comfortable, so you can move freely and dance the night away.
| Size options: | 6 - 26 |
| Colours available: | Blue and red |
Best popular cocktail dress
Romanwww.roman.co.uk
I think this dress would be a fantastic occasion dress thanks to its bright blue hue. I spotted plenty of elegant options on the Roman website, but this blue cape dress stood out to me. I can see it being flattering on many women, particularly those with a fuller bust. It makes a statement on its own, so keep accessories minimal - silver heels and a matching clutch would be the perfect finishing touches.
Customer review: Really pleased with the quality and fit of this petite dress and the bright blue colour, will be wearing for my daughter's wedding abroad in June. Being 5'2 and a size 12/14, the 12 fits perfectly. Always happy with the fit and finish of Roman's clothes.
| Size options: | 10 - 36 |
| Colours available: | Green |
Best versatile cocktail dress
JD Williamswww.jdwilliams.co.uk
If you’re after a lightweight dress for a sunny special occasion, this new arrival from Sosandar is a beautiful choice. The tie waist adds a flattering touch, and it pairs effortlessly with either heels or flats. Style it with a stack of gold bangles and perhaps some bold gold earrings for a chic, polished look.
| Size options: | 6 - 16 |
| Colours available: | Lime, green, ivory, pink, bright green, cream, red, black, magenta, blue and merlot |
Best affordable cocktail dress
New Lookwww.newlook.com
Made from satin, this will drape beautifully over curves. It has a luxury look, making it perfect for smart daytime events or special occasions. The figure-skimming shape has a wrap design making it a flattering choice for bigger busted women and the sleeves offer the perfect amount of upper arm coverage.
| Size options: | 10 - 20 |
| Colours available: | Teal, black and navy |
Best standout cocktail dress
Nextwww.next.co.uk
Delicately adorned with shimmering sequins and a beautiful feather print, this dress brings a touch of elegance to any special occasion. Designed with women over 50 in mind, it features floaty sleeves and a flattering silhouette that make it an ideal choice for a glamorous evening. Style it with a fascinator for a summer wedding or christening, and finish the look with block-heeled sandals for effortless sophistication.
Customer review: Lovely dress, initial size was too big, recommend going down a size from your usual. Very flattering dress. Material is lightweight but does not detract from the lovely pattern and look.
| Size options: | 6 - 20 |
| Colours available: | Violet |
Best classic cocktail dress
Quizwww.quizclothing.co.uk
The classic cocktail dress design has been update with an asymmetric neckline which adds interest and draws the attention upward away from your hips and thighs. It's available in 3 other colours, including pastel blue and red if you prefer something more colourful. If you're looking for a lightweight yet striking dress, this is it.
| Size options: | 6 - 16 |
| Colours available: | Ivory, mustard, red, navy, black, magenta, blue, merlot, cobalt, rust and orange |
Best printed cocktail dress
Asos
The yellow floral print on this Asos dress is stunning, and the sweet flutter sleeves, ruffle trims and slim fit are a pretty perfect mix. Florals are always on trend and when in maxi dress form, it becomes a dress you can wear to casual BBQs or smart events. The crease-proof fabric means it's perfect for all-day events such as family parties, the races or weddings.
| Size options: | 6 - 26 |
| Colours available: | Cobalt |
Phase Eightwww.phase-eight.com
This universally flattering wrap silhouette is dreamy, with a ruffle design. It has a midi length and a layered frill hem, plus softly fluted sleeves. Plus, the colour is outstanding.
Customer review: Light and flowy, just as expected, love it.
Phoebe Denman is Senior Style Writer for Yours, heat and Closer where she has covered fashion and beauty content for the past four years. She writes broadly across both for print and online, covering everything from trend reports and shopping pages, to product reviews and chatting to celebs about their style faves.