If you’ve ever shown up to an event and felt like you’d make it onto the best-dressed list, you’ll understand just how important finding the right party ensemble can be. It’s not always an easy task, but plus-size cocktail dresses are available in spades right now—and we’re getting ready to shop them all. With one of these frocks in your closet, there might just be a self-awarded best-dressed trophy calling your name. The only thing left to do is choose from the hundreds of styles that plus-size and size-inclusive brands have on offer. Fortunately, we did most of the heavy lifting for you. You can thank us when you’re covered in compliments at your next party.
Whenever we’re trying to find a cocktail dress, we like to think about what makes these dresses fall under that category. The biggest question we ask ourselves: Would we wear the dress to a chic cocktail party? Whether your idea of this is a scene from Gossip Girl or a small soirée at your best friend’s house, all you have to do is imagine yourself showing up to the event. Is it a formal situation or one where you could repurpose your nicest going-out dress? Knowing the vibe of party you’re attending can be extraordinarily helpful. Though at the end of the day, do your thing and wear whatever makes you feel confident.
Once you have an idea of what kind of dress you might want—whether it’s a sparkly mini, sexy maxi, or floral midi—you’re one step closer to finding your next award-winning cocktail party look. Because there are so many different styles from all different brands floating around online, though, we went ahead and rounded up 101 (!) can’t-miss plus-size cocktail dresses. Consider this your one-stop-shop for any elegant gathering.
Here at Unruly, we’re committed to featuring plus-size pieces we genuinely love and want to share with you. We’re connected to an affiliate revenue program, which means we might make a small commission when you buy products through our shopping guides. This in no way affects the pieces we choose to feature, and it never will. (Confused? We’d love to answer any questions you have about this. Email us at beunrulyinfo@gmail.com!)
1. Olivia Wrap Maxi Dress
shop the look — $61.60 from Standards & Practices
2. Wrap-Front Sateen Midi Dress
shop the look — $108 from ASOS
3. Carey Ruffled Dress
shop the look — $52 from Curvy Sense
4. Lacey Dress
shop the look — $248 from Reformation
5. The Resort Halter Dress
shop the look — $189 from Good American
6. Winslow Dress
shop the look — $268 from Reformation
7. Square-Neck Drss
shop the look — $89.95 from Eloquii
8. Angel-Sleeve Twist-Detail Midi Dress
shop the look — $16 from Boohoo
9. Textured Slinky Twist-Detail Wrap Midi Dress
shop the look — $12.80 from Boohoo
10. Love Sex Magic Velvet Dress
shop the look — $44.99 from Fashion Nova
11. Family Affair Sequin Dress
shop the look — $59.99 from Fashion Nova
12. Floral Plunge Maxi Dress
shop the look — $64 from ASOS
13. Bardot Velvet Midi Dress
shop the look — $16 from Boohoo
14. Curvy Sense Athena Maxi Dress
shop the look — $38 from CoEdition
15. Sigmund Dress
shop the look — $248 from Reformation
16. Stunning Wonder Maxi Wrap Dress
shop the look — $119 from Modcloth
17. Curve Sequin Midi Pencil Dress
shop the look — $261 from ASOS
18. Remarkable Lace Dress
shop the look — $69.99 from Fashion Nova
19. Black Satin Halter Maxi Dress
shop the look — $12 from PrettyLittleThing
20. Pleated Batwing Midi Dress
shop the look — $72 from ASOS
21. Magic in the Meadow Floral Maxi Dress
shop the look — $59.99 from Fashion Nova
22. City Chic Rippled Love Sheath Dress
shop the look — $44.98 from Nordstrom Rack
23. Floral Strappy Midaxi Dress
shop the look — $42 from PrettyLittleThing
24. And the Winner Is Sequin Maxi Dress
shop the look — $59.99 from Fashion Nova
25. Shimmer Puff-Sleeve Bodycon Dress
shop the look — $33 from PrettyLittleThing
26. Leopard Slip Dress
shop the look — $149 from Good American
27. High Street Dress
shop the look — $39.99 from Fashion Nova
28. Mesh Long-Sleeved Midi Dress
shop the look — $28 from PrettyLittleThing
29. Black Lace Flourish Dress
shop the look — $104.30 from City Chic
30. Nikita Dress
shop the look — $248 from Reformation
31. Butterfly Dress
shop the look — $278 from Reformation
32. Organza-Sleeve Midi Dress
shop the look — $16 from Boohoo
33. Shegul Cece Slip Dress
shop the look — $171.50 from CoEdition
34. InLove by Marina Bulatkina Iceland Dress
shop the look — $150 from CoEdition
35. City Chic Sweet Delight Dress
shop the look — $59 from CoEdition
36. Persuede Me Midi Dress
shop the look — $45.99 from Fashion Nova
37. Parker Theia Dress
shop the look — $161.10 from Shopbop
38. Better Shape Up Maxi Dress
shop the look — $49.99 from Fashion Nova
39. Fame and Partners The Eccles Dress
shop the look — $199 from Shopbop
40. Starry Night Wrap Maxi Dress
shop the look — $119.95 from Anthropologie
41. City Chic Adore Dress
shop the look — $119 from CoEdition
42. InLove by Marina Bulatkina Monaco Dress
shop the look — $70 from CoEdition
43. Kiyonna Parisian Dream Evening Gown
shop the look — $228 from CoEdition
44. Fresh New Take Ruched Midi Dress
shop the look — $39.99 from Fashion Nova
45. Cece Slip Dress
shop the look — $145 from Shegul NY
46. Fox Dress
shop the look — $218 from Reformation
47. A Night in Tokyo Lace Dress
shop the look — $49.99 from Fashion Nova
48. The Runaround Wrap Dress
shop the look — $129 from Good American
49. TFNC Sequin Wrap-Font Midi Dress
shop the look — $103 from ASOS
50. Down for You Velvet Maxi Dress
shop the look — $59.99 from Fashion Nova
51. Exclusive Midi Dress
shop the look — $40 from ASOS
52. Textured One-Shoulder Midi Dress
shop the look — $16 from Boohoo
53. You Can Slit With Us Midi Dress
shop the look — $20 from Nasty Gal
54. City Chic Disco Fever Dress
shop the look — $59 from CoEdition
55. Plisse Batwing Wrap Midi Dress
shop the look — $60 from ASOS
56. Rebecca Taylor Long-Sleeve Vegan Leather Dress
shop the look — $225 from Shopbop
57. Phoebe Pleated Midi Dress
shop the look — $24.99 from Fashion Nova
58. City Chic So Seductive Dress
shop the look — $149 from CoEdition
59. Rebecca Taylor Off-the-Shoulder Print Mix Dress
shop the look — $516.75 from Shopbop
60. Isis Sheer Maxi Dress
shop the look — $48 from Curvy Sense
61. The Exec Blazer Dress
shop the look — $235 from Good American
62. Shayne Amalie Dress
shop the look — $385 from CoEdition
63. City Chic Leonie Lace Mermaid Dress
shop the look — $179 from Nordstrom
64. Derek Lam 10 Crosby Lani Reversible Sequin Cami Dress
shop the look — $495 from Shopbop
65. Shimmer Front Long-Sleeve Dress
shop the look — $129 from Marée Pour Toi
66. HALSTON Crepe Knit Dress
shop the look — $187.50 from Shopbop
67. Marée Pour Toi Split-Front Maxi Dress
shop the look — $83.40 from CoEdition
68. Pleated Bandeau Midi Dress
shop the look — $60 from ASOS
69. A.L.C. Renzo Dress
shop the look — $347.50 from Shopbop
70. Ginny Dress
shop the look — $298 from Reformation
71. London Dress
shop the look — $224 from By Marina Bulatkina
72. The Wrap Body Dress
shop the look — $125.90 from Good American
73. Sage Dress
shop the look — $148 from Reformation
74. Collectif Dignity on Display Velvet Midi Dress
shop the look — $99.99 from ModCloth
75. Black Halo Cooper Sheath Dress
shop the look — $187.50 from Shopbop
76. Marchesa Notte Embroidered Strapless Gown
shop the look — $657 from Shopbop
77. Corset Maxi Dress
shop the look — $159 from Good American
78. The Teal Velvet Dress
shop the look — $78 from Marée Pour Toi
79. Disco Slinky Twist-Front Wrap Dress
shop the look — $16 from Boohoo
80. City Chic Fun Spot Ruffle Dress
shop the look — $71.40 from Nordstrom
81. Burlesque Greatest Glitz Wrap Dress
shop the look — $69 from ModCloth
82. Xscape Double-Strap Crepe Gown
shop the look — $79.20 from Nordstrom
83. Love Sex Magic Dress
shop the look — $44.99 from Fashion Nova
84. City Chic Decadence Dress
shop the look — $249 from CoEdition
85. Marée Pour Toi Floral Wrap Dress
shop the look — $107.40 from CoEdition
86. Christian Siriano New York Contrast Sheath Dress
shop the look — $139 from CoEdition
87. Black Sheer Lace Maxi Dress
shop the look — $47.75 from Torrid
88. Marée Pour Toi V-Neck Sequin Dress
shop the look — $79.50 from CoEdition
89. Serena Ruffled Wrap Dress
shop the look — $61.60 from Standards & Practices
90. City Chic So Fancy Dress
shop the look — $119 from CoEdition
91. Angelique Velvet Maxi Dress
shop the look — $39.99 from Fashion Nova
92. Bardot Frill-Hem Midi Dress
shop the look — $21 from PrettyLittleThing
93. Rachel Rachel Roy Talula Leopard Midi Dress
shop the look — $159 from CoEdition
94. City Chic Audacious Dress
shop the look — $79 from CoEdition
95. Creed Dress
shop the look — $248 from Reformation
96. City Chic Opulent Wrap Dress
shop the look — $74 from CoEdition
97. Buxom Couture Off-Shoulder Polka Dot Dress
shop the look — $96 from CoEdition
98. Stand Out Tonight Sequin Midi Dress
shop the look — $39.99 from Fashion Nova
99. Exceptional at All Angles Sheath Dress
shop the look — $44.99 from ModCloth
100. Flare-Sleeve Maxi Wrap Dress
shop the look — $119.95 from Eloquii
101. Dottie Dress
