Shopping

Best cocktail dresses for the holidays and winter weddings, as seen on celebs

Whether they’re going to glam galas or celebrating a friend’s wedding, celebrities (and their outfits) are often the life of the party.

But you won’t need an invite to the hottest Hollywood hangouts to put your own spin on their most memorable semi-formal looks.

Below, we’ve rounded up some of stars’ favorite sources for stylish winter cocktail dresses — from playful prints and sexy silks to wear-with-anything wardrobe staples.

Whether you’re shopping for the holidays, an upcoming wedding or a stylish soirée of another kind, you’re sure to find the perfect frock for the occasion.

Reformation

Jennifer Lopez, Millie Bobby Brown and Emily Ratajkowski in dresses
Jennifer Lopez, Millie Bobby Brown and Emily Ratajkowski wearing Reformation. GC Images; milliebobbybrown/Instagram;GC Images

Reformation’s sustainability-focused styles have sustained a huge celebrity following over the years, with repeat customers including Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez. The next generation of style-setters is similarly hooked, as celebrity kids like Blue Ivy, Apple Martin and Kaia Gerber all own Ref dresses of their own.

The brand is also lower-priced than most on this list, with a wide range of event-ready dresses also available in extended sizes.

A model in a black velvet dress
Reformation

Reformation Frankie Velvet Dress


A model in a red silk dress
Reformation

Reformation Casette Silk Dress


A model in a blue velvet dress
Reformation

Reformation Tasmyn Velvet Dress


Dôen

Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift and Camila Morrone in dresses
Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift and Camila Morrone wearing Dôen. GC Images; Taylor Swift/Twitter; BrosNYC / BACKGRID

Dôen’s sundresses are certainly having their day in the sun as of late, with Taylor Swift, Kylie Jenner, Selena Gomez and Sofia Richie all posing for snaps in the delicate designs. The California label also offers options on the more formal side, however, including silk styles and party-worthy minidresses.

A model in a black tulle dress
Dôen

Dôen Aurina Dress


A model in a floral dress
Dôen

Dôen Merla Dress


A model in a light pink dress
Dôen

Dôen Calsi Dress


Staud

Selena Gomez, Mandy Moore and Meghan Markle in Staud dresses
Selena Gomez, Mandy Moore and Meghan Markle wearing Staud. Getty Images for CNN; kevinmichaelericson/Instagram; WireImage

LA-based label Staud is a Hollywood hit, offering “It” bags and style staples beloved by the likes of Meghan Markle, Selena Gomez and the Kardashian-Jenners. (Founder Sarah Staudinger even sat courtside at a Lakers game with Kim Kardashian in May 2023.)

A model in a Staud dress
Saks Fifth Avenue

Staud Landscape Dress


A model in a black and white mini dress from Staud
Nordstrom

Staud Kiara Off the Shoulder Minidress


A model in a red tulle dress
Nordstrom

Staud Calluna Ruffle Hem Organza Gown


Cult Gaia

Lupita Nyong'o, Eva Longoria and Jennifer Lopez in dresses
Lupita Nyong’o, Eva Longoria and Jennifer Lopez wearing Cult Gaia. GC Images; Europa Press via Getty Images; jlo/Instagram

Cult Gaia has certainly racked up a cult following among stars. Famous favorites include both red carpet-ready gowns — which Shay Mitchell and Eva Longoria recently stepped out wearing — and shorter styles beloved by the likes of Alessandra Ambrosio and Sarah Hyland.

A model in a fringed dress
Revolve

Cult Gaia Libby Mid Length Gown


A model in a gold sparkly dress
Revolve

Cult Gaia Crescent Dress


A model in a red feathered dress
Revolve

Cult Gaia Myrtle Dress


PatBo

Jennifer Lopez, Anya Taylor-Joy and Olivia Culpo in PatBO dresses
Jennifer Lopez, Anya Taylor-Joy and Olivia Culpo wearing PatBo. REVOLVE; GC Images; WireImage

From a hot tub to the hottest events, PatBo’s playful pieces have popped up all over. Known for its eye-catching cutouts and elegant embroidery, the Brazilian brand is a favorite of Paris Hilton, Alicia Keys and Camila Cabello (to name but a few).

“I really believe fashion needs to be fun and you can do whatever you want,” Patricia Bonaldi, PatBo’s founder and creative director, once told Page Six Style of her design approach.

A model in a geometric print dress
Revolve

PatBo Wave Cutout Printed Maxi Dress


A model in a black cut-out fringe dress
Revolve

PatBo Cutout Fringe Trim Maxi Dress


A model in a sparkly maxi dress
Revolve

PatBo Draped Maxi Dress


House of CB

Paris Hilton, Lori Harvey and Jennifer Lopez
Paris Hilton, Lori Harvey and Jennifer Lopez wearing House of CB. Getty Images for Hilton Estates Group; RACHPOOT / BACKGRID; jlo/Instagram

House of CB is home to plenty of celebrity-loved designs — including its signature corset and bustier dresses, which Paris Hilton, Jennifer Lopez and Lori Harvey have all gotten laced up in.

A model in a brown corset dress
Nordstrom

House of CB Jasmine Strapless Satin Corset Dress


A model in a red corset dress
Nordstrom

House of CB Anais Satin Corset Midi Dress


A model in a black dress with fur trim
Nordstrom

House of CB Keilani Long Sleeve Minidress with Faux Fur Trim


Rixo

Selena Gomez, Kate Middleton and Sofia Richie in dresses
Selena Gomez, Kate Middleton and Sofia Richie wearing Rixo. selenagomez/Instagram; Samir Hussein/WireImage; sofiarichiegrainge/Instagram

Although British brand Rixo is known for its vintage-inspired pieces, it’s a modern must-have for royals and pop royalty alike; Selena Gomez, Sofia Richie, Kate Middleton, Hailey Bieber and Florence Pugh are all fans.

“It’s very global and very versatile: people could wear it to the airport with trainers and then wear it to a wedding,” co-founders Henrietta Rix and Orlagh McClosky once told Grazia of their brand’s aesthetic.

A model in a black feathered dress
Rixo/Shopbop

Rixo Lena Dress


A green silk dress
MyTheresa

Rixo Zadie Floral Jacquard Crêpe Midi Dress


An off-the-shoulder dress
Rixo/MyTheresa

Rixo June Square-Neck Dress


Self-Portrait

Kate Middleton, Emily Ratajkowski and Selena Gomez
Kate Middleton, Emily Ratajkowski and Selena Gomez wearing Self-Portrait. WireImage; GC Images

When it comes to re-creating celebrity looks yourself, Self-Portrait is a practically a one-stop shop. While its price tags are smaller than those of many labels on this list, the brand’s dresses are a big hit with the likes of Kate Middleton, Reese Witherspoon, Meghan Markle, Selena Gomez and Emily Ratajkowski.

“There has always been a massive gap between high street and luxury, never anything in between,” founder and creative director Han Chong told the Evening Standard in 2019, saying he wanted to bring his designs to a “wider audience.”

A black diamente-trimmed dress
Saks Fifth Avenue

Self-Portrait Diamanté Trim Midi Dress


A checkered mini dress
FarFetch

Self-Portrait Check Pattern Boucle Mini Dress


A model in a red lace dress
Self-Portrait/Shopbop

Self-Portrait Red Lace Midi Dress


L’Agence

Ubah Hassan, Jasmine Tookes and Selena Gomez wearing L'Agence dresses
Ubah Hassan, Jasmine Tookes and Selena Gomez wearing L’Agence. GC Images; ourplace/Instagram

While stars love everything from L’Agence’s velvet designs to its playful prints, the label’s sleek silk dresses are a standout for celebrities like Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift and Olivia Culpo (to name but a few).

A blue silk dres
L'Agence

L’Agence Seridie Dress


An off the shoulder black velvet blazer dress
L'Agence

L’Agence Micaela Velvet Dress


A white wrap dress
L'Agence

L’Agence Kadi Wrap Dress


Retrofête

Lori Harvey,  Chrishell Stause and Taraji P. Henson in dresses
Lori Harvey, Taraji P. Henson and Chrishell Stause wearing Retrofête. The Hollywood Curtain / BACKGRID; Getty Images for CLD PR; Getty Images

With “fête” right in the name, Retrofête’s unsurprisingly a fixture at starry soirées. Beyoncé, Sophie Turner, Heidi Klum and Chrissy Teigen all have turned heads in its often-embellished designs.

A model in a pink silk dress
Revolve

Retrofête Paloma Dress


A silver dress
Revolve

Retrofête Kyree Knit Dress


A model in a sparkly white mini-dress
Revolve

Retrofête Anastasia Dress


The Attico

Lori Harvey, Camila Cabello and Hilary Duff all in black dresses
Lori Harvey, Camila Cabello and Hilary Duff wearing The Attico. Wil Roberts / SplashNews.com; Getty Images; Christopher Peterson / SplashNews.com

When looking to put a sexy spin on the classic LBD, stars like Lori Harvey, Camila Cabello and Hilary Duff don designs from The Attico, a label known for its statement-making styles featuring feathers, cutouts and high shine.

A model in a blue silk gown
Neiman Marcus

The Attico Melva Asymmetrical Satin Gown


A model in a black dress

The Attico Mirna Cutout Ruffle Midi Dress


A black asymmetrical dress
Neiman Marcus

The Attico Desai Twisted One-Shoulder Rib Minidress


Magda Butrym

Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling and Sydney Sweeney
Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling and Sydney Sweeney wearing Magda Butrym. robzangardi/Instagram; mindykaling/Instagram; mollydidickson/Instagram

Everything’s coming up roses in Hollywood, sartorially speaking, thanks to Magda Butrym’s rosette-embellished designs. The floral fashions — available in mini, midi and maxi lengths — are an A-list favorite, having been spotted on the likes of Hailey Bieber, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling and Sydney Sweeney.

A model in a red mini dress
Net-a-Porter

Magda Butrym Strapless Appliquéd Cutout Stretch-Silk Minidress


A model in a red cut-out maxi dress
Net-a-Porter

Magda Butrym Appliquéd Halterneck Cutout Stretch Jersey Dress


A model in a black mini dress with red roses on it
Net-a-Porter

Magda Butrym Appliquéd Ruched Cutout Stretch-Jersey Dress


Zimmermann

A split image of Princess Beatrice, Mindy Kaling and Naomi Watts all wearing dresses
Princess Beatrice, Mindy Kaling and Naomi Watts wearing Zimmermann. PA Images via Getty Images; Getty Images for Andie Swim; Getty Images for Stripes

Looking for a stylish splurge? With its embrace of “sophisticated femininity, clever color combinations and delicate original prints,” luxury label Zimmerman is a hit with TV royalty and real-life royalty alike. Princess Beatrice, Mindy Kaling, Naomi Watts, Jennifer Lopez, Sofia Vergara and Heidi Klum are all fans of the high-end brand.

A black corset dress
Saks Fifth Avenue

Zimmermann Silk Corset Dress


A model in a brown minidress
Saks Fifth Avenue

Zimmermann Draped Silk Minidress


A model in a black lace dress with ink and black tulle appliques
Saks Fifth Avenue

Zimmermann Matchmaker Daisy Slip Gown