Party Dresses

Party dresses for nights out, birthdays and celebrations

A party dress should feel as good at midnight as it did at seven. Forcast party dresses run from satin slips and strapless columns to one-shoulder twists, lace and ruched minis, in sizes 4 to 18. Some are cut for the dance floor; others will go to a long dinner and then to the office with a blazer on Monday.

Pick your kind of party

For a birthday dinner or drinks, a satin slip such as the Calliope Bias Cut Slip Dress or a V-neck satin style needs nothing more than a heel. For a cocktail party or a formal, the Priya Strapless Column Dress and the Afina One Shoulder Twist Dress are the statement pieces of the range. For a garden party or a summer engagement, a cotton sundress or an embroidered dress is lighter and easier. A drop-waist or panel mini is the one for dancing.

Fabric and fit

Satin has a soft sheen and moves with the body. Lace and ruching add texture and shape without weight. Linen blends and cotton suit daytime celebrations in warm weather. Column and strapless shapes rely on fit, so check the size guide before ordering; a ruched or crossover style is more forgiving if you are between sizes.

What goes with a party dress

Keep the accessories to one idea. A plain satin dress takes a bold earring; a lace or embroidered dress is better with a fine necklace and nothing else. A small bag that fits a phone and a lipstick is all you need. A cropped jacket over a strapless dress covers the trip there and comes off on arrival.

Shop party dresses

For a wedding, see wedding guest dresses; for formal occasions of every kind, start with event dresses. Standard delivery is free on Australian orders over $100, express delivery is $12.99, and you have 30 days to return or exchange, online or in any Forcast store across New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT.