Plus-Size Cocktail and Formal Dress Retail Directory

Adrianna Papell is a special occasion and evening wear designer with a sophisticated appeal. Sizes available up to 24W.

Alex Evenings offers evening wear for the more mature woman. Styles tend to include sleeves, jacket dresses and wrap tops. Sizes up to 24W.

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 evening dresses for the more mature woman in both plus and plus petite sizes 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.

Bluegala is a formalwear superstore with prom, mother of the bride, bridesmaid dresses, cocktail dresses and evening gowns from top eveningwear designers. Select designers and styles in sizes up to 32W with an easy size finder search function.

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.

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

David's Bridal is one the best known names in the wedding business.  Choose from a selection of classic formalwear styles. Plus sizes available up to 26W.

David Meister  designs upscale eveningwear in sophisticated contemporary knits in sizes up to 24W.

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.

eShakti carries some fun cocktail dresses in vintage and retro styles in sizes up to 26W.

Eliza Parker is a small, up and coming New York plus designer that often has jersey maxi gowns and forwmalwear available in sizes up to 28W.

Fashion Bug - sometimes carries affordable and trendy formal dresses for evening and special occasions, especially during the holidays and prom season, in plus-sizes up to 32W.

Good Goods China carries a large selection of cocktail, semi-formal, and formal dresses appropriate for prom, homecoming, pageants, bridesmaids and military balls.  Purchase directly from the manufacturer for close to wholesale prices in sizes up to 30W.

Igigi carries a gorgeous and unusual collection of formalwear designed exclusively for the full figure.  Selections are appropriate for cocktails, proms, weddings and military balls.  Sizes 12-32W.

Jessica London carries a growing collection of cocktail dresses and evening gowns for both the younger, contemporary and more mature plus-size woman.  Sizes up to 34W.

Jkara New York - designs evening gowns and cocktail dresses with sparkle.  Many jacket dress styles too.  Sizes up 24W.

Jones New York often has a nice selection of quality cocktail dresses in sizes up to 24W.

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.

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 26W.  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.

Lord and Taylor carries designer and  better label cocktail dresses and gowns for sizes up to 24W.

Macy's  - carries a selection of formal and cocktail dresses, especially in the holiday and prom seasons, from both contemporary and trendy designers. A variety of styles are available appropriate for both the young fashionista and more mature woman of style. Sizes up to 24W.

Milanoo offers a large selection of formalwear at close to wholesale prices for every occasion. Sizes up to 26W, with larger custom sizes available for a small fee.

Midnight Velvet carries a selection of plus-size pant suits, duster sets and dresses appropriate for evening wear and formal events.  Plus-sizes available up to 24W.

Monif C is an up and coming New York designer specializing in plus-size dresses and separates. Evening gowns and cocktail dresses are often available. Sizes 14-24W

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. 

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 Fairs as well.  Sizes up to 3X.

Queen Grace is a small, exclusive plus-specialty designer collection with sophisticated cocktail dresses, evening separates, and formalwear.  Sizes 12-26W, with select styles available in custom sizing.

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 classic labels like Tadashi Shoji, David Meister and Kay Unger, with younger contemporary styles from T-bags, Melissa Masse and Johnny Was in sizes up to 24W.

Sonsi carries an excellent and deep selection of formalwear and cocktail dresses in contemporary, trendy and more mature styles. Ready to ship in sizes up to 30W.

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.

SWAK sometimes carries a small collection of plus-size cocktail dresses and evening wear at affordable prices in sizes up to 6X.

Tadashi Shoji if you are looking for high end, grown-up style cocktail dresses and evening gowns, this is the designer to shop.  Beautiful fabrics and finished details with superb fit in sizes up to 24W.

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 5X.

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.

Unique Vintage carries new retro and flapper style dresses along with formal gowns and wedding dresses. Sizes up to 4X.

Wedding Now carries an extensive collection of prom, celebrity style dresses, and formalwear at rock bottom, direct from manufacturer prices. All styles are available in sizes up to 28 with a custom size option for larger or hard-to-fit body types.

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.

Yes Bridal carries an extensive and stylish selection of cocktail dresses and formalwear appropriate for prom, black tie events, military balls and weddings.  Small selection of Chinese Cheongsam also available.  Affordable prices. Everything available up to size 26W, with larger custom sizes available.  Tailoring for hard to fit shapes and heights.