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Buying Guides

Roundups of dresses for a specific occasion, fit or budget, each with how its list was put together.

A clothes rail of white, black and floral dresses and blouses against a grey wall, with dried flowers and a pair of sneakers on the floor beside it.
Photo: Sou Jest on Unsplash

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All buying guides

A woman in a fitted red dress with ruffled sleeves looks back over her shoulder in a dimly lit bar.
Buying Guide

Red Cocktail Dresses for the Holidays and Beyond

A red cocktail dress works best in a simple cut (slip, sheath or long-sleeve midi) because the color already does the talking. Wear it with nude, black or metallic shoes and keep jewelry to one piece.

Updated Oct 16, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe

A woman sitting on concrete steps wears brown suede knee-high boots with block heels, a dark skirt and a pale pink coat.
Buying Guide

Wide Calf Boots for Women to Wear With Dresses

The right wide calf boot is the one whose listed shaft circumference is slightly bigger than your calf at its widest point, with room for tights. Measure first, then pick the style: knee-high and riding boots are the easiest to pair with midi dresses and sweater dresses.

Updated Oct 16, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe

A woman with pinned-up blonde hair in a floor-length off-the-shoulder burgundy velvet dress stands on a wet stone patio in front of tall grass and trees.
Buying Guide

Burgundy Wedding Guest Dresses and How to Style Them

Burgundy is an easy wedding guest color for fall and winter: choose velvet or lace for cold months, satin for a cocktail party or chiffon for a formal gown, then add gold or black accessories.

Updated Oct 10, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe

A woman in a long black coat, a red mini skirt, opaque black tights and black boots walks along a misty stone terrace.
Buying Guide

Fleece Lined Tights: What to Buy and How to Wear Them

Fleece-lined tights let you wear a dress through the coldest months. Buy a sheer-look pair for dressy outfits and an opaque pair for knits and boots, and size by the chart on the listing.

Updated Oct 10, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe

A smiling plus-size woman in a long-sleeved purple sequined wrap dress holds out its skirt as she poses beside a pale stone pillar.
Buying Guide

Plus Size Holiday Dresses for Parties and Dinners

Plus size holiday dresses for Christmas parties, family dinners and New Year's Eve, in velvet, sequins, swiss dot, ruffle sleeves and metallic pleats, with tights, a full slip and low block heels.

Updated Oct 10, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe

A woman in an embroidered brown long-sleeved dress lifts a matching sheer embroidered shawl in front of a dark velvet curtain.
Buying Guide

Shawls and Wraps for Dresses: Evening and Winter

A large pashmina-style wrap is the most useful shawl for a dress. Add faux fur or sequins for a formal winter event, a sheer chiffon wrap for a warm night, and match the color to your shoes or bag.

Updated Oct 10, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe

A woman with short dark hair in a black slip dress and sheer black tights crouches in a warmly lit, dark room and looks over her shoulder.
Buying Guide

Sheer Black Tights: Deniers, Fits and Picks for Dresses

Sheer black tights are roughly 30 denier or lower. Pick the shade of black by the dress, a control top or back seam by the occasion, and the size by the chart on the listing.

Updated Oct 10, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe

A blonde woman in a long-sleeved lilac velvet dress lounges on a white chair between two potted palms against a pale studio backdrop.
Buying Guide

Velvet Wedding Guest Dresses for Fall and Winter

A velvet wedding guest dress suits fall and winter weddings: wear a long-sleeve velvet midi to a daytime or semi-formal wedding and a velvet maxi to an evening or formal one.

Updated Oct 14, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe

Hands wearing diamond rings hold a white clutch with a crystal-beaded flap in front of a white outfit.
Buying Guide

Wedding Guest Clutches and Evening Bags

A good wedding guest clutch holds your phone, a card, a key and a lipstick, comes with a chain for hands-free moments, and matches how formal your outfit is.

Updated Oct 10, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe

A woman in a sleeveless red tulle dress with a cutout waist kneels in fresh snow as flakes fall around her.
Buying Guide

Winter Cocktail Dresses With Sleeves and Warm Fabrics

Winter cocktail dresses with long sleeves in velvet, satin and stretch fabrics, plus the sheer tights, heeled ankle booties and evening shawl that make cocktail attire work in the cold.

Updated Oct 10, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe

Seen from behind, a woman with long brown hair in a long-sleeved black mini dress, dotted black tights and black boots walks beside a wooden rail by an autumn river, carrying a coat.
Buying Guide

Winter Dresses for Women That Are Actually Warm

The warmest winter dresses are long-sleeve knits at midi or maxi length, worn with fleece-lined tights, knee boots and a coat that covers the hem.

Updated Oct 10, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe

Explore more

A group of friends in a bright room with lace curtains raise champagne glasses together in a toast.

Occasion Dresses

For finding a dress by what's on your calendar: a wedding, a work event, a black-tie invitation.

Two women pose in a dim bar, one in a magenta satin gown with a thigh-high slit and one in a long-sleeved silver sequined gown.

Dress Codes

For working out what a dress code asks you to wear, from casual to black tie.