Cocktail Dresses

A cocktail dress has to sit through 3 courses and 2 speeches. Luna Fashion House makes these 35 cocktail dresses for cocktail weddings and evening receptions. They cost $550 to $770 and end above the knee, at the knee, or at mid calf. All are designed and made in Europe, 13 of them in our atelier in Pozarevac, Serbia. Every order ships from California.

Choose by length, then the coat

A cocktail invitation names the hour and leaves the hemline to you, which is generous of it and not much help. We make the coats as well, and we matched each coat below to its dress by where the 2 hems fall.

• Above the knee, you have the Laura Short Metallic Dress in Bronze ($595) and the Melisa Short Corset Dress in black or beige ($670). Our Iris Short Tailored Coat ($770) stops 3 to 4 inches above the knee, level with them. Wear it in deep black over the Laura and in beige over either Melisa.
• Most of these dresses end at the knee. That includes the Jody Lace Cocktail Dress in 4 colors and the Iris Off Shoulder Cocktail Dress in 3, both $550. A knee length dress needs a coat that reaches its hem or passes it. The black Jody takes the Lucy Wool Coat in Black ($910), which meets its hem. The black Iris takes the Nicole Wool Coat in Solid Black ($825), which continues to mid calf.
• Midi dresses reach mid calf, and so should their coats. We pair the Lucy Jacquard Midi Dress in Midnight Blue ($695) with the Clara Wool Trench Coat in Navy Blue ($910). The Julia Floral Midi Dress ($695) goes under the Linea Belted Midi Coat in Ivory ($770).
• The Melissa Strapless Dress in black or white polka dot ($770) has a full satin skirt to mid calf. The black Nicole has a full flared skirt of its own at the same length, so it closes over either one.
• The Eli High Low Evening Dress ($670) is short in front and reaches mid calf at the back. Wear the Selina Wool Cape in Black ($770) open over it. The cape ends at the hip and leaves the whole hem in view.

Choose by sleeve

• For long sleeves, look at the Jody Lace A-Line Dress in bordeaux or ivory ($550), with sheer sleeves and lace cuffs. The Lucy Navy Illusion Sleeve Sheath Dress ($695) has sheer mesh sleeves and a shirt collar. The Iris A-Line Midi Dress in Blush Floral ($625) adds a mock neck. Over the Lucy sheath we would choose the Selina Wool Coat with Red Faux Fur Collar ($825), which ends a little below its hem.
• The Lucy Jacquard Midi has sheer 3/4 sleeves. The Charlotte Elegant Midi Dress in fuchsia ($595) has elbow sleeves, and the Kim Trench Coat in Beige ($680) reaches mid calf over it.
• Short sleeves come on every Jody Lace Cocktail Dress, in lace, and on the Julia and the Olga. The Rina Elegant Midi Dress in Black ($595) has them too, and its coat is the Nicole Wool Coat in Herringbone Gray ($825), which reaches mid calf.
• The Rebeka Short Dress in black or ivory ($595) has sheer chiffon cape sleeves that come off. Keep them on for the ceremony and take them off for the dancing. Over the black Rebeka, the Emma Light Coat in Teal Floral Jacquard ($880) ends at the knee.
• If you would rather show your shoulders, choose an Iris cocktail dress, the Lina Ruched Off Shoulder Dress ($550), or the Greta Off Shoulder Dress in Navy ($695). The navy Clara ends level with the Greta at mid calf.

Choose by occasion

• At a cocktail wedding, the Jody Lace Cocktail Dress in midnight green or bordeaux covers the upper arm in lace. For a daytime ceremony, the Amanda Midi Dress in Floral ($695) has a belted skirt to mid calf. In the fall, the teal Emma coat meets the green Jody at the knee.
• An evening party suits a metallic finish, and the Laura, the Iris cocktail dresses, and the Morgan Short Dress in Black ($550) all have one. Over the Morgan, the red Selina coat runs a little past the hem.
• For a work dinner or a speech, choose the Lucy sheath or the Olga Wrap Dress in Navy ($695). Both sit between business and cocktail dress. The navy Clara runs past the Olga to mid calf.

Our guide to what cocktail attire means for women explains the dress code. For the wedding version, read what to wear to a cocktail wedding. Gowns are in evening dresses, and jumpsuits, blazers, and separates are in cocktail outfits.

Questions before you choose

What is a cocktail dress?

A cocktail dress is made for an early evening event that stops short of black tie. It usually ends between just above the knee and mid calf. Our 35 cocktail dresses cost $550 to $770, and each dress page names the Luna coat that fits its hem.

Which cocktail dresses suit women over 40?

Start with the event, then decide how much coverage you want. The Jody Lace A-Line Dress ($550) has long sheer sleeves. The Lucy Jacquard Midi Dress ($695) has 3/4 sleeves and a full skirt to mid calf. The Olga Wrap Dress ($695) is belted, with short sleeves.

Which cocktail dresses have sleeves?

Long sleeves come on the Jody Lace A-Line Dress, the Lucy Navy Illusion Sleeve Sheath Dress, and the Iris A-Line Midi Dress. The Lucy Jacquard Midi has 3/4 sleeves, and the Charlotte has elbow sleeves. You will find short sleeves on the Jody Lace Cocktail Dress, the Julia, the Olga, and the Rina Elegant Midi.

What should I wear to a cocktail wedding as a guest?

Wear a dress between the knee and mid calf, in any color but white or ivory. The Jody Lace Cocktail Dress in bordeaux or midnight green ($550) has short lace sleeves. The Lucy Jacquard Midi Dress in Midnight Blue ($695) reaches mid calf. In cold months, add a coat that reaches the hem.

What coat goes over a cocktail dress in winter?

Choose a coat that reaches the hem of the dress or passes it. The Lucy ($910) and the Emma ($880) end at the knee, so they suit a knee length dress. A midi needs the Clara ($910) or the Linea ($770), which reach mid calf. Above the knee, the Iris Short Tailored Coat ($770) ends level with the dress.

What is the difference between a cocktail dress and an evening gown?

The difference is length and formality. A cocktail dress ends between just above the knee and mid calf and suits a cocktail or semiformal invitation. An evening gown reaches the ankle or the floor, the length a black tie invitation asks for. Our gowns cost $595 to $770.

Where are these dresses made?

All 35 are designed and made in Europe. We cut and construct the Iris, Lina, Laura, Lesli, Morgan, Melisa, Rebeka, and Eli dresses in our atelier in Pozarevac, Serbia. Luna Fashion House was founded there in 1990, and every Luna coat is made there too.

How do shipping and returns work?

Orders ship from California within 1 business day. US shipping is free, and transit takes 2 to 5 days. US returns are free within 30 days, so you can try the dress under its coat at home before the event.