Plus-Size Cocktail and Formal Dress Retail Directory

alight - carries a good selection of prom and homecoming dresses for younger full-figured women, trendy party dresses, and contemporary evening wear for more sophisticated full-figured women. Some formal gowns and cocktail dresses are available as large as 34w. Most dresses are available up to a 26/28w. Look for the Alex Evenings label for plus-size petite styles.

Amerimark carries value priced dresses for the more mature full-figured woman with styles appropriate for cocktails, special occasions and mother of the bride.  Sizes available in both plus and plus petite up to 26W.

Ashro carries sophisticated styles for formal and special occasions.  Choose from proud Afro-centric designs to stylish designer dresses. Some evening gowns and formal duster pant suits are a sophisticated evening alternative. plus-sizes up to size 3X.

Avenue has cocktail and special occasion dresses, especially during the holiday season, in a variety of classic to contemporary styles. Full-figured sizes from 14-32W.

Bare Necessities - has an excellent selection of undergarments, body shapers and bras for the plus-size figure to make the most of your formal dresses.

Brownstone Studio carries some formal and cocktail dresses especially suitable for the more mature and sophisticated woman in sizes up to 26W - often has petite sizes up to 18P.

Catherines - carries a selection of cocktail and special occasion dresses and outfits, especially around the holidays. Good resource for plus petite sizes. Sizes up to 34W.

Chadwick's - Plus-size Social Occasion Dresses has some lovely prom dress and homecoming gown and bridesmaid dress choices in addition to older, more sophisticated styles for the mother of the bride and other formal events. Adriana Papell designs are frequently found here. Sizes up to 26W.

Coldwater Creek carries pretty cocktail dresses in satin, lace and velvet during the holiday season with sizes to 24W, and petites to 16P.

Dillard's - has a particularly deep collection of cocktail and formal dresses from lables like Onyx Nite, Adrianna Papell, and Alex Evenings, to name just a few.  Many styles appropriate for the mother-of-the bride and more sophisticated tastes. Available on-line in plus-sizes up to 24W.

Donna Ricco Dresses - Plus if we were to choose just one cocktail dress designer to feature, this would be it.  Gorgeous silks and satins combined with beautiful, flattering lines.  Great selection of party dresses. Sizes up to 24W.

Dress Directory - visit this comparison shopping site devoted entirely to dresses for the best selection of plus size evening and cocktail dresses available in one place. Whether you need a dress for  a special occasion, prom, homecoming, or a black tie formal affair there are hundreds from which to choose. They've got tall, petite, juniors, plus, maternity and more. Plus-sizes up to 40W.

eDress Me - is an especially good formal dress spot for the smaller plus with hundreds of formal gowns available in sophisticated, glamorous styles.  Choose from wedding, prom, cocktail, homecoming, clubbing and red carpet worthy designer gowns.  Small plus-size section for larger plus-sizes, but most in the 12-20 size range are mixed throughout.

eDress Me Prom - is the sister site to the dress site listed above.  The selection is equally large and different.  Although technically a prom gown site, many selections are sophisticated options for many events from bridesmaids to black-tie formal affairs. Selections available up to size 18.

Fashion Bug - carries affordable and trendy formal dresses for evening and special occasions in plus-sizes up to 32W. There are a few Plus-size petite dresses available here and there also.

House of Brides is one of the largest wedding and formalwear shops on the internet with special occasion dresses, Quinceanera dresses, maternity formalwear, selections for mother-of-the bride, bridesmaid and wedding gowns.  Many styles available up to size 26 with more extensive sizes up to 32W in the plus section.

HSN offers evening wear for glamorous and sophisticated events  from an array of designers. Some labels that regularly occur her include ABS by Allen Schwartz, Donna Ricco, Susan Lucci, Randolph Duke and Nicole Miller. Many dresses are available in plus-sizes up to 3X - especially during the holiday and spring/summer dress seasons.

Igigi is one of the best plus and super size designers for formalwear and cocktail dresses with some stunning, stylish evening wear. While many styles at first appear bare, almost all sleeveless styles come with a matching wrap or bolero jacket making their dresses suitable for all modesty tastes. The best part is that everything is available in plus-sizes 14-32w.

Jessica London Special Occasion Dresses include a few very pretty dresses appropriate for prom, cruise formalwear and other black tie affairs. Plus-size eveningwear available up to size 26W.

 Kiyonna Dresses - sophisticated styles for full-figured women who appreciate well made designer clothing.  Their dresses range from dressy casual to cocktail dresses. Most available in sizes up to 5X.

Lane Bryant - has increasingly more dresses available on-line with more formal options during the holiday and wedding seasons. Plus-sizes 14-28W.

Lane Bryant Catalog carries a selection of evening and special occasion wear, especially in the holiday season. Sizes 12-44W.

Lew Magram, Runway Fashions at Runaway Prices - dresses, suits, skirts and more for special occasions. Most dresses available to size 16 with select styles (usually jacket dresses) available as large as 26W.

Light in the Box cuts out the middle man and lets you buy beautiful formalwear directly from the manufacturer at wholesale prices.  Choose from prom dresses, bridesmaid dresses, cocktail dresses and wedding gowns in sizes up to misses 28.  Or for a small fee have a gown custom made to your own measurements, a perfect solution for plus petites, plus talls and super size divas.

Macy's Dresses - carries a selection of formal and cocktail dresses, especially in the holiday and prom seasons, from both contemporary and trendy designers. Most available in misses sizes, with few here and there in plus-sizes up to 24W.

MetroStyle carries a beautiful, and affordable selection of special occasion dresses for the younger woman in sizes up to 18/20. Ranges from prom gown formal to less dressy special events.

Midnight Velvet carries a selection of plus-size pant suits, duster sets and dresses appropriate for evening wear and formal events. Be sure to check their separate listings in the "Midnight Velvet Style" section for even more fashions. Plus-sizes available up to 26W.

Monroe and Main carries more formal gowns, pant suits and cocktail dresses during the holidays in sizes up to 24W.

Nordstrom is on of the best places to find plus-size designer and quality formalwear and cocktail dresses suitable for both the young and trendy fashionista and more mature, sophisticated full-figured woman. Plus-sizes up to 24W. 

Prom Girl is a large and confusing site, but well worth the effort with one of the best and largest selections of formalwear for more than just prom.  Styles range from young and sweet to elegant and sophisticated for military balls, weddings, and other black-tie affairs, budget priced to designer,  cocktail and party dresses to ball gowns.  There is a plus-size section, but only a small fraction of larger sized dresses are listed in the section.  Your best bet is to browse through by designer to find the best selection.  Sizes from 0 - 44.

Pyramid Collection is a New Age gift catalog that carries romantic, vintage, artsy and goth fashion with some gorgeous and unusual options for special occasions and more formal affairs.  Often has good selections for those headed to Renaissance Fars as well.  Sizes up to 3X.

Roaman's cover everything from dressy to formal, trendy to traditional. Eveningwear selections include formal pant suits, dinner suits, and dresses.  Plus-size formalwear available  in sizes 12-34W.

Saks Fifth Avenue is the best place to go for truly special and upscale designer evening wear, especially during the holiday season. You'll find designer gowns, dresses and evening separates from labels like Chetta B, Tadashi and Carmen Marc Valvo here in sizes up to 24W.

Sanctuarie is a small, inexpensive designer that designs for the plus and super sized figure. Most dresses and other items can be customized with fabrics, sleeve lengths, etc. Shimmering fabrics, slinky lines suitable for formal occasions. Sizing is generous and runs large, so check measurement charts. Sizes 0-9X.

Silhouettes - carries a variety of special occasion and formalwear for the contemporary full-figured woman from satin cocktail dresses, to evening pant suits, to the occasional evening gown.  Everything available in sizes up to 26W, with some styles in sizes up to 44W.

Sydney's Closet  specializes in formal gowns for black tie events, military balls, Quincinerea, cocktail dresses, wedding gowns, prom and bridesmaids in plus and super sizes 14 - 44W. Gorgeous selection from ball gowns to mermaid styles. Many styles must be special ordered 8-12 weeks in advance, but more and more styles are offered every season for immediate shipping.

TJ Formal is one of the largest formalwear dress shops on the internet with thousands of gowns to choose from for pageants, proms, weddings and other formal occasions.  Sizes available up to 30W.  Most must be special ordered, so allow adequate time for delivery. Free shipping on all U.S. orders.

Torrid  the is a young, fabulous site for the full-figured trendy girl. Excellent affordable prices on fabulous Marilyn Monroe dresses, elegant goth gear, sweet trendy styles and retro fab satins.  Formalwear is usually available in the holiday and prom seasons.  Sizes up to 26W.

Ulla Popken - Special Occasions carries an unusual collection of formalwear including flowing chiffon duster pant suits, silk and velvet burn out kimono's, palazzo pants and the occasional formal gown. Everything available from sizes 12-34w, with the occasional offering up to 38W.

Woman Within - although mainly more casual in its offerings, occasionally some special occasion dresses or suits turn up at this super size specialty retailer, especially during the holiday party season. plus-sizes up to 34W.

Womens Suits - carries a selection of formal, evening suits suitable for mother of the bride. Some styles available up to 26W.