Now that the internet provides us with endless options, special occasion dresses for mature women are easier to find than ever. Whether it is a wedding or an important anniversary, having a special occasion to look forward to makes planning ahead really exciting. However, finding a comfortable and flattering dress for an important event in your life that will make you look and feel great can be difficult for anyone, no matter your age.
It could be that you're the lucky mother of the bride or you are a guest at a wedding in the summer months. Perhaps you're after a frock for the races? Or are you on the hunt for something special for an anniversary trip with your partner or a special birthday dinner with family and friends?
Best special occasion dresses for mature women at a glance:
• Our favourite dress: Monsoon Roxanne Embellished Midi Dress - View offer on Monsoon
• Most versatile: Roman Royal Blue Lace Top Overlay Pleated Midi Dress - View offer on Roman
Not will you be in pictures from these special days for years to come, but you also need to wear something that is comfortable, flattering, and to your style and tastes. We've shared our pick of the best occasion dresses for women over 60 in a range of styles, from cocktail dresses to midi dresses, so you can hopefully find the perfect dress for you. If nothing here takes your fancy, we'd recommend shopping around with each retailer included as each has a great range of occasion-wear for you to explore.
Best special occasion dresses for mature women
www.johnlewis.com
Both Monsoon and John Lewis are ideal shops for timeless and flattering dresses, with a particular focus on occasionwear. We love the delicate lace overlay through the bodice of this navy Monsoon Louise Lace Bodice Maxi Dress, and the airy crepe skirt makes it perfect for warmer weather. You could always throw a cropped jacket or shawl around your shoulders and style it with chunky heels or wedges.
Sizes: 6-24
www.debenhams.com
If you're after a more affordable occasion dress, Debenhams has so many choices that don't cost a small fortune. This Anna Rose light green panelled lace midi dress is a flattering choice with three-quarter length sleeves and a lined body, making sure it skims your body shape. We love the green paired with some silver heels and accessories.
Sizes: 10-22
www.next.co.uk
We're head over heels in love with the print of this Next belted shirt dress in gorgeous green and orange hues, perfect to dress up all year round. As well as being super flattering with a collared neckline, button-through fastenings and the self-tie belt cinches you in at the waist.
Sizes: 6-26 and is available in tall sizes
Customer review: "This dress looks even better on, it is slightly expensive but I will make sure I get my money worth out of it and I intend to wear it at any given opportunity."
Most versatile
www.roman.co.uk
Royal Blue has never looked so good! This free-flowing dress from Roman takes block colour to another level. We love the swishy pleated skirt and a separate lace overlay with scalloped trims. This dress is perfectly suited to weddings, race days, proms and special occasions too. Not to mention, there are four other colours to choose from.
Sizes: 10-20
Customer review: "Looking for a special dress, loved the colour."
www.houseoffraser.co.uk
We love the romantic floral print of this Adrianna Papell fit and flare light blue dress. If you're a little conscious, the flattering v-neckline will hold your chest (no bra will show), and the feminine flutter sleeves will hide the tops of your arms.
Sizes: 6-20
Our favourite dress
www.monsoon.co.uk
Another Monsoon number, this pink embellished midi dress is built upon a slim bodice and A-line midi skirt, complete with three-quarter length bell sleeves. We love the velvet trim on the waist and the sleeves.
Sizes: 8-22
www.wallis.co.uk
Bold prints are having a moment. This dress from Wallis, which has been designed to celebrate 100 years of heritage, has been created with prints inspired by nature, all hand-drawn in-house. We love the free-flowing sleeves and neck detail.
Sizes: 8-20
www.marksandspencer.com
You can't go wrong with a trusty tea dress, and this one from Phase Eight is both practical and elegant. The dress is the most inclusive on the list, available in sizes 8-26, and is styled to be a comfy regular fit with breezy short sleeves and a classic round neckline.
Sizes: 8-26
www.marksandspencer.com
This super flattering Gina Bacconi shift dress comes with a semi-sheer cape attached to create a standout look on special occasions. We love the cape, which is crafted from fluttery chiffon embellished with glittery metallic threads for light-catching detail. A true party number.
Sizes: 10-22
www.yoursclothing.co.uk
This striking emerald green dress from Yours London ticks all boxes for occasionwear, from the lace sleeves to the swishy pleated mesh skirt. Simply pair it with heels to feel confident for your next special occasion.
Sizes: 14-32
Best accessories for special occasions
Hats, fascinators, and bags, there are so many ways to make your chosen occasion dress that little bit more special. Here are some of our favourite picks to elevate your outfit.
www.phase-eight.com
Fascinators don't have to be huge and heavy. This simple black bow headband will add a finishing touch to your occasion outfit.
www.marksandspencer.com
These Dune chunky heels look ready for a night of dancing. Also available in a nude colour, which will make the perfect companion for any outfit.
www.hobbs.com
The perfect addition to a chilly day. This Hobbs London scarf comes in an array on different colour.
www.marksandspencer.com
Add a touch of sparkle with this metallic clutch bag with gold rim from Marks & Spencer. Plenty of room for your phone and lipgloss!
Fashion tips from the experts
Susie Hasler runs Styled By Susie, specialising in styling real women on a budget whose body type has changed due to pregnancy, gaining or losing weight, or menopause.
"Many of the mature ladies who I work with prefer to have a little more coverage in the summertime, rather than opting to bare all,” says Susie.
"My clients aren’t too keen on showing their arms or too much cleavage - and there are so many ways you can dress stylishly while not looking frumpy. If you’re not keen on sleeveless styles, try a cap sleeve."
She also recommends opting for a patterned dress if you normally dress head-to-toe in black.
"The tummy area can be troublesome for many women, particularly post-menopause. Dressing in summer clothing can make many ladies feel exposed, and it can become tempting to wear black to hide away.
"However, a pattern is actually going to flatter the figure much more as it glosses over lumps and bumps and is much more summery than black!"
Of course, occasionwear also tends to be more expensive. If you don't want to splash the cash on one-time wear, why not consider renting a dress? Not only will you be able to wear a dress that you might not have been able to afford originally, but you'll be helping the planet too. Win-win!
Hannah Mellin is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Yours. When she's not writing, researching or testing products, she's renovating her Victorian terrace and chilling in the garden with her sausage dog Waffle, three cats and a tortoise called Bobby.