Plus-size Formal Dresses, Cocktail Dresses & Evening Gowns
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Plus-Size Cocktail and Formal Dress 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.

Amazon offers an ever-changing collection of name brand formalwear in styles appropriate for cocktails, prom, formal events and wedding parties.  The easy to use size finder is available up to 34W.

Amerimark carries value priced evening and cocktail jacket 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.

Bloomingdale's carries upscale designer cocktail dresses and evening gowns from high end labels like Tadashi Shoji and David Meister in sizes up to 24W.

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.

Bon Ton carries a selection of cocktail and evening dresses in classic to contemporary styles from better labels in sizes to 24W.

Catherine's - carries a selection of cocktail and special occasion dresses and outfits, especially around the holidays. Often has long sleeve and jacket dress cocktail dresses for women who like extra arm coverage. Good resource for plus petite sizes. Sizes up to 34W.

Coldwater Creek carries contemporary style cocktail dresses in satin, lace, beading, sequins, and velvet during the wedding and holiday seasons with sizes to 24W, and petites to 16P.

David Meister  designs upscale eveningwear including cocktail dresses and gown in sophisticated contemporary knits in sizes up to 24W.

Deb Shops carries an excellent selection of trendy cocktail, party, prom and formal dresses for young women at value prices in sizes 14-24W.

Dillard's - has a particularly deep collection of cocktail and formal dresses from labels 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.

Dress Empire carries one of the most extensive formalwear collections available on-line.  Styles range from young and trendy suitable for proms and homecoming dances to more sophisticated styles for black-tie events, weddings, and pageants.  Price points range from moderate to luxury with designers like Tadashi Shoji and Mac Douggal available in plus-sizes. Sizes up to 26W.

eShakti carries cocktail dresses in vintage, contemporary, and retro styles. All of their styles can be customized to your measurements, and many allow changes in hem lines, neck shapes, sleeves and embellishments for a minimal fee. Sizes up to 6X.

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.

Forever 21 offers inexpensive, ultra trendy cocktail and prom dresses for young fashionistas in junior sizes up to 3X.

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. Usually has styles both with sleeves and sleeveless.  Sizes up to 34W.

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

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

Lane Bryant - has increasingly more dresses available on-line with more dressy and cocktail 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 cocktail dresses, formal gowns, prom dresses, bridesmaid dresses, mother-of-the bride 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  - has a good 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.

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. Especially well known for her "Marilyn" dress in both long and short styles that can be worn in a variety of ways. 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. Velvets, chiffons and brocades are frequently available. 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.

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, cocktail, homecoming, and wedding dresses. Sizes up to 30W.

What a Beautiful Life has an extensive collection of evening gowns and cocktail dresses for every formal occasion. Styles range from young and trendy prom dresses to more mature mother-of-the-bride jacket dresses. Some formal evening pant suits can also be found here. Sizes up to 26W.

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.