Do you remember when you were a little girl, and how putting on a dress made you feel like the most beautiful version of yourself? That magic shouldn’t disappear as you grow up. No matter how old you are, when you slip into a stunning cocktail dress and heels, you should always be able to experience that same excitement and confidence boost—whether you’re 10 or 92. That brings us to the seven best cocktail dresses for women over 50.
Shopping for cocktail attire can be a bit challenging, especially when you’re 50+. After all, it’s not just about getting something that looks great on the hanger—you want to find something that you feel is stylish and age appropriate, potentially conceals areas on your body you may feel self-conscious about, and is comfortable to wear for several hours. That’s why we reached out to celebrity stylist Jeni Elizabeth Paolella, who’s worked with everyone from Martha Stewart and Loni Love to Marissa Winokur.
To find out which styles she recommends for women over 50, keep reading. She not only sheds light on why certain silhouettes are more flattering than others, but she also gives tips on how you can accessorize each dress. That way, you’ll be able to use her guidance the next time you’re out looking for a cocktail dress for your next event.
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7 Best Cocktail Dresses for Women Over 50, According to a Celebrity Stylist
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1. Belted Cocktail Dress
If you’re unsure what to look for in a cocktail dress, Paolella suggests searching for something that is figure flattering.
“Over the years, women’s bodies shift and change, but you have to remember that you have one chance to live this life, so make sure you own it!” she tells Parade. “This dress style is amazing for someone who is 50+ because it’s belted. Having a dress that is belted instantly gives you an hourglass shape. It will enhance your proportions while also giving the dress a tailored and finished look.”
She adds that this glam option doesn’t require you to add much when you’re getting ready for an event, explaining, “Just pair it with black or gunmetal-colored heels and then add a set of bangles!”
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2. Lace Cocktail Dress
When it comes to cocktail dresses, Paolella says fabric plays a key role in how it will drape on your body, so it’s important to consider that when shopping.
“A dress like this is a great option because the red lace overlay is very flattering for women who are 50 or older who may be uncomfortable with their midsection,” she explains. “The high neckline is also perfect for women who may be more self-conscious about their chest size, but feel confident about their arms and legs.”
The best part is, because a red lace dress is already a show stopping number, Paolella says less is more when it comes to styling. “A gold-colored shoe and a gold clutch is all you need!” she advises.
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3. Metallic Sequin Dress
Think sequins are just for little girls? Think again! When in doubt, Paolella tells Parade that someone 50 and older can’t go wrong wearing a stunning sequin cocktail dress to a special occasion.
“This style is one of my favorites—I love a sexy and fun sequin long sleeve dress,” she raves. “It’s perfect for a mature woman who has dynamite legs, but wants to be more mindful of her arms and upper body.”
While there are lots of ways to complete this look, Paolella points out that you don’t want to overdo it with jewelry since the dress itself is already flashy. Because of that, she suggests you finish off your look with a pair of black or metallic heels and some gorgeous diamond hoops!
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4. Shutter Pleated Tier Cocktail Dress
One style of cocktail dress that looks great on any woman—no matter her age or size—is a shutter pleated tier dress, according to Paolella.
“This is a longtime favorite due to its always-flattering look and feel!” she tells Parade. “There is really no area of the body that this dress does not love. The layering and criss-cross top offer forgiveness for bigger chested women, while the length and pleated aspect below it calls attention to the dress’s details and not certain areas of your body that you may feel insecure about.”
To finish off this look, you can add a necklace and earrings or just a fabulous pair of heels. “Consider pairing this with cream heels for spring or black ones if you are wearing it during winter months,” she proposes.
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5. Bright Colored Cap Sleeve Cocktail Dress
Just because you’re not in your 20s doesn’t mean you can’t wear vibrant colored dresses. In fact, Paolella encourages you to!
“I especially love when women over 50 wear a bold colored cocktail dress, like this one, that commands attention when you walk into a room,” she exclaims. “This is a beautiful option that also says a lot about the woman wearing it!”
Besides its bright hue, one of the other flattering details about this dress is its cut as it highlights your legs without being too short and draws people’s eyes to your arms, thanks to its cap sleeves. “It’s made for women who love longer length pieces and are confident showing off their arms,” Paolella notes.
She reveals that while this particular dress has a belted waistline, if you find a colorful dress that doesn’t, you can always buy one that matches it to define your waist more. You can also finish off your look with black or gold heels and a necklace.
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6. Embellished Little Black Dress
When you think of a timeless cocktail dress, a little black dress (LBD) might come to mind! However, you may not want to buy a simple one. Instead, Paolella tells Parade that a LBD with embellishments is more flattering for mature women because it can help conceal parts of yourself that could allow you to feel more confident and comfortable.
“For example, a beautiful jeweled neckline will call attention to the upper half of your body, making it a wonderful option for someone who may be more self-conscious about the lower section of their body,” she states.
When it comes to accessorizing, you probably already have what you need at home as Paolella mentions pairing it with silver heels and earrings is perfect if you’re planning to wear this to an evening out at the ballet, a nice restaurant, work event or to a wedding.
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7. Flowy, Ruffle Cocktail Dress
If you’re not a fan of form-fitting silhouettes, Paolella suggests going with flowy design instead when choosing a cocktail dress.
“This is a wonderful option for someone 50 and older who is looking for forgiveness in their lower section,” she reveals. “The dress’s cut calls attention to the upper half of your body while also being very forgiving to your lower section thanks to the ruffle layering.”
Paolella notes that this design gives off a playful, yet classy vibe and isn’t a piece that you need to worry about wearing tons of jewelry with.
Instead, she says if you want to add more flare, do so with your footwear, explaining, “If you’re planning on wearing this in the summer, you can have fun with it and pair it with pink or yellow heels.”
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