Short Cocktail Dresses and Cocktail Party Dresses

Amarra cocktail dresses will have you feeling ready to own the night in full-on glam mode. Including sexy cocktail party dresses with the latest designs and classic short cocktail dresses with beautiful shimmer, this collection features the best styles for semi-formal special occasions.

What is a Cocktail Dress?

Cocktail dresses are semi-formal styles that bridge the gap between casual styles and formal gowns. Usually anywhere from mini to midi-length, the best cocktail dresses fit right in at evening events that are fancy, but not quite black-tie level, such as cocktail parties, fancy dinner dates, holiday festivities, and wedding receptions. Short cocktail dresses can vary in style from snug bodycon to flowing a-line. While not a requirement, cocktail party dresses often include sparkling embellishments like beads and sequins, but there are also elegant cocktail dresses in lace or smooth satin. Let’s take a look at some of the most common types of cocktail dresses.

Types of Cocktail Dresses

• The Holiday Cocktail Dress: Especially popular for Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties, short holiday cocktail dresses are usually the most glamorous option. For those fancy and festive seasonal parties, you’ll often see a variety of beaded cocktail dresses and sequin cocktail dresses in fun shades of red and green for Christmas or black, silver, gold, and white for NYE parties.
• The Little Black Dress (LBD): Sexy mini black cocktail dresses are perfect for date nights and other events that call for the most alluring of looks. These LBDs are generally sleek and fitted with bold details. Just imagine the head-turning effect of these LBD styles: backless cocktail dresses and strapless cocktail dresses with sheer corsets. On the other hand, the classic little black dress can also lean more toward flirtatiousness than sexiness, as is the case with cute chiffon cocktail dresses in black with fun a-line silhouettes.
• The Wedding-Guest Cocktail Dress: When you’ve been invited to a wedding with a cocktail dress code or semi-formal dress code, then you’ll want to explore a variety of beautiful cocktail dresses with details that are a little more modest or reserved in deference to the bridal couple. Consider classy knee-length cocktail dresses, elegant lace cocktail dresses, and fun, unique cocktail dresses with stylish embellishments like feathers and fringe so you can stand out in a fashionable way without upstaging the bride on her big day.
• The Long Cocktail Dress: While cocktail party dresses are typically short, there are times when formal evening cocktail dresses are a must. Perfect for those special occasions that seem to skirt the line between semi-formal and formal, long cocktail dresses are generally midi or maxi length and fit right in when short styles are too casual but floor-length gowns are too fancy. Long designer cocktail dresses are often preferred for gala nights, wedding receptions at nice venues with unclear dress codes, upscale dinners, and formal (but not black-tie) events.

Whether you’re in need of a classy cocktail dress for a wedding or a sexy cocktail party dress for a date night, you’re sure to find a gorgeous design in the above collection of Amarra cocktail dresses. Including one-shoulder sequin cocktail dresses with cut outs, off-the-shoulder beaded cocktail dresses, and mini black cocktail dresses with form-fitting ruching, the variety of styles makes it easy to stock up your semi-formal wardrobe with the latest designs. Once you’ve chosen one or more of these stunning styles to make your own, find out where to buy Amarra cocktail dresses online or in shops near you by using the store locator tool.