Dress Styles for Every Occasion

It’s no secret that every woman loves a good dress. They are timeless, and have the added bonus of making you look endlessly elegant even when in reality, you only spent a few minutes dressing up (hello, lazy fashionistas)! In fact, dresses have been reinvented time and again, to the point where there’s a dress style for any kind of occasion you find yourself in. It’s even possible to dress yourself up in dresses — pun intended — for practically every day of the year. Read on below for some top tips on matching your dress styles to a specific occasion.

Table of Contents

Long-sleeved dresses for work

Work dresses don’t have to be the overly stuffy. Although dress codes vary by office, a general rule of thumb is to keep your knees and shoulders covered up and make sure your neckline isn’t too revealing. Marimekko’s Vokaali Unikko dress cinches at the waist for a flattering figure, and its long sleeves help keep you warm even during the cooler months. Long-sleeved dresses are also a welcome change from the usual sleeveless work dress.

Flowy maxi dresses for brunch

Brunch is a fun and relaxing time to get together with friends (or even a date), so your dress should be equally comfortable and easy. The maxi dresses on Woman Within come in timeless floral prints that are just perfect for summer and spring, and the best part is that you don’t need to accessorize much. You can pair your maxi dress with some minimalist jewelry to elevate the look while keeping it simple and breezy.

Gorgeous gowns for weddings

Weddings are a time to really amp it up when it comes to glamor and style, so your dress should be eye-catching to suit. Leave it to fashion maven Rihanna to dress in the best gowns out there! This crimson red Alaia gown is subtle sophistication at its best, with the lightly see-through bodice as an elegant touch that makes this gown visually appealing. Although the songstress wore this look back in 2013, its elegance makes it a beautiful option even today.

Sleek cocktail dresses for special events

Since weddings don’t happen every day, special events are a great way to still get dressed up. The trick is to go for a mid-length dress with a classy silhouette instead of veering for a new and trendy option. Staud’s Marwa dress features a fun polka dot print with tulle details, and is basically the kind of dress you’ll want to live in while feeling like your life is a Hollywood movie.

Fun mini dresses for nights out

Mini dresses are still the go-to pick when it comes to a fun event. Whether you’re going to a party in the city or just out for a drink or two, a mini dress helps keep things casual while still making you look put together. & Other Stories’ Floral Puff-Sleeve Minidress is a classically romantic pick, and its gartered sleeves mean you can also wear it as an off-shoulder dress if you’d like. With so many dress styles out there, the key is finding the right one to go with whatever event you have planned.