The 22 Best Dresses on Amazon for Every Occasion
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From wedding guest to T-shirt dress, there’s a pick for every budget and event.
InStyle / Brian Kopinski
In recent years, Amazon has become a fashion destination in its own right. Stylish people across the land are flocking to the online marketplace to shop for affordable clothing that garners endless compliments — whether it’s casual daywear, professional pieces, or special event numbers. While Amazon is great for all sorts of clothes, it’s especially plentiful for dresses of all shapes and colors, from comfy T-shirt dresses that feel like loungewear to head-turning formal gowns.
For fashion and lifestyle influencer Brittany Sansone, accessible pricing and ease of ordering are big draws. “It is very easy to hop on the app, search for a trend you want to try and buy it knowing it will arrive within hours, in some cases,” she says. “I think buying potentially lower quality but stylish items can be a great way to test out a trend you are interested in but not sure if you want to invest significantly.”
But because the platform can be a bit of a maze if you don't know exactly what you’re looking for, we’ve done the legwork for you and found the very best dresses you can buy on Amazon — most of which are exclusives that you can’t find anywhere else. To help us on our quest, we spoke to fashion stylists and influencers to find out what they’re buying on Amazon, and what we should keep in mind when shopping there.
Related: 8 Amazon Holiday Party Dresses Perfect for Any Festivities This Season
Best Overall: The Drop Women's Ana Silky V-Neck Midi Slip Dress
What We Love: It looks luxurious without the price tag to match.
What We Don’t Love: Some people find it too tight in places and too roomy in others.
The InStyle team has been hopelessly devoted to this simple-as-anything satin slip dress for months, in large part because it looks so luxe without the price tag to match. Sure, you could start by ordering this one in just one colorway, but we can pretty much guarantee you’ll soon be coming back for more: It comes in an impressive 25 colors and prints, including neutral, bright solids, and prints. We also love that it’s available in sizes XXS–5X, to better fit a variety of body types. With that said, because of its streamlined cut, some people find it to be hard to find that just right fit — it can be tight in the bust for larger chests, but roomy in the belly and hips. However, when it works, it works. Wear this for dinner on the town or dressed up with accessories for a wedding. And did we mention it’s machine-washable?
Size: XXS–5X | Colors: 25 | Material: Polyester, elastane | Length: Midi
Best Budget: Amazon Essentials Short-Sleeve Maxi Dress
What We Love: It’s incredibly versatile.
What We Don’t Love: The fabric is too thin.
Sometimes, lower price points mean questionable sustainability credentials, but this doesn’t seem to be the case here. Made from responsibly sourced fabrics and using chemicals that are safer for people and the planet, this dress is a basic buy you can feel good about. It hits at ankle length, making it just as suitable for work as for comfy lounging. Style it with sneakers or boots and layer it with your favorite jackets and coats — it’s so versatile (and so affordable) you’re definitely going to want more than one color or print so you can live in it all season long. Unfortunately, the fabric is pretty thin and see-through, so you may need to supplement it with a slip or shapewear underneath for modesty.
Size: XS–XXL | Colors: 17 | Material: Rayon, elastane | Length: Maxi
Best Splurge: LIKELY Women's Owens Dress
What We Love: The white option is perfect for bridal events.
What We Don’t Love: We’d love to see more color options.
Amazon is such a great platform for affordable clothing, but that doesn’t mean you can’t also bag a treat-worthy item. This mini dress is fun without being over the top, thanks to a simple, figure-hugging silhouette, embellished with a line of feathers on one side from the waist down. We’re obsessed with the Barbie pink option, and the white is fabulous for bachelorettes and bridal showers, or just for a cocktail party. While we’d love some more color options — such as a black for the colder months, we otherwise don’t have anything bad to say about this super cute little dress.
Size: 00–14 | Colors: 2 | Material: Polyester, rayon, spandex | Length: Mini
Best Plus-Size: Floerns Women's Plus Size Satin Spaghetti Strap Cowl Neck Wrap Party Cami Dress
What We Love: It comes in almost 50 colors to suit every style.
What We Don’t Love: The top can be too tight on larger busts.
Consider all your wedding or gala guest needs sorted with this piece from Floerns. Available in upwards of 45 colors and prints, there’s no way you won’t find one to suit your style to a T — for our part, we’re particularly intrigued by the black glitter, apricot pink satin, and green velvet options. This dress features thin spaghetti straps, a flattering cowl neck, a cinched waist, and a tulip-style skirt with a daring slit in the center. It comes in up to a size 5X, which we always love to see. Just note, though, those with larger busts might find the top part of this dress too tight for comfort, so it may be better for pear-shaped body types.
Size: XS–5X | Colors: 47 | Material: Polyester | Length: Midi
Best Petite: Amazon Essentials Women's Tank Swing Dress
What We Love: It’s a super cute and versatile basic dress.
What We Don’t Love: The arm holes are often wide enough to show your bra.
If there’s one thing Amazon is good for, it’s basic, timeless pieces that you can easily throw on for all sorts of occasions. This sleeveless jersey dress is as simple as it is cute, thanks to its scoop neck, A-line cut and above-the-knee hem. As with a majority of the items on this list, it comes in a wide range of colors and prints. It also comes in sizes XS–6X and is especially suitable for the petite among us looking for a short that’s designed with more coverage (as opposed to one that’s incidentally long and not proportionate). One common complaint with this one is that the arm holes are wide enough to show your bra, so you may just need to get creative on that front with a bandeau or pretty bra. Other than that, we love this one for a warm spring or summer day.
Size: XS–5X | Colors: 19 | Material: Rayon, elastane | Length: Mini
Related: The Best Dress For Your Body
Best Shirt: utcoco Womens Striped Long Sleeve Dress Casual Loose Button Down Cotton Maxi Shirt Dress
What We Love: It’s a great one for lounging around or dressing up for work.
What We Don’t Love: It can shrink in the wash.
This button-down, striped cotton maxi comes highly recommended. “I love everything about this dress for summer, especially the nautical feel,” says Tara West, a Boston-based personal stylist and fashion blogger. “It’s a fantastic price point for a full-length dress, and it couldn't be easier to wear, even on those super hot days. It’s flowy and light, yet stylish, with a raffia tote and a wide-brim hat.” You can also transition this one into the mid-season — try wearing it for work with a warm jacket, a pair of boots, and an elegant handbag. Just note that it will shrink if you don’t follow the care instructions, so you’ll need to plan accordingly.
Size: S–XXL | Colors: 5 | Material: Cotton | Length: Maxi
Best Formal: MUSHARE Women's Halter Neck Sexy Split Cocktail Party Maxi Long Formal Dress
What We Love: It gives you an elegant, dressed-up look without costing an arm and a leg.
What We Don’t Love: The side slits fall too high on the leg for some people’s taste.
For any events that would require formalwear (weddings, charity events, or an extra-special date night…), a floor-length gown is the most surefire way to nail the dress code. But since this isn’t something you’d get a ton of wear out of, it would make sense not to overspend, even if it’s for something super classy.
Enter this dress, which features a high halter neck, a cinched waist, and a full A-line skirt with two sexy side slits that fall high on the thigh (so if you’re looking for something more conservative, this isn’t it). If you’re having a hard time picking a color, black is always classic. But you can’t go wrong with the more sultry red tone, either.
Size: S–XXL | Colors: 9 | Material: Polyester, spandex | Length: Maxi
Best Maxi: R.Vivimos Women's Fall Winter Vintage Velvet Dress
What We Love: A velvet dress is ideal for wintertime event dressing.
What We Don’t Love: Some people find the fabric a bit too thick.
The fall and winter may make you want to bundle up until your face is barely visible below the layers of hats and scarves, but the season also brings with it a beautiful opportunity to expand your wardrobe into festive sequins and lush velvets, perhaps even starting with this tiered number. “This velvet dress is amazing for winter,” says stylist and Fashivly brand director Mollye Rivera. “You can pair this with a sneaker and leather jacket or a boot and long wool coat for almost any occasion.”
Of course, if you’re headed to a wintertime wedding or gala, this is also a great pick, whether in coppery brown or glamorous gold. The fabric is a little on the heavy side, but this can obviously be a good thing when the temperatures drop; it’s a matter of preference.
Size: S–XL | Colors: 15 | Material: Stretchy velvet | Length: Maxi
Best Midi: MEROKEETY Women's 2023 Long Sleeve Button V Neck Sweater Dress
What We Love: It’s so easy to style for any occasion.
What We Don’t Love: It doesn’t fit everyone the way they want it to.
Ashlyn Greer, co-founder of the personal styling service Fashivly loves this fun and casual shift for easy styling. “This midi sweater dress is the perfect all-in-one weekend or travel look for this winter,” says Greer. “Wear it with boots and a leather jacket for a night out, or pair with sneakers, long coat, and crossbody for your holiday travel or errands. It's as comfortable as PJs or your go-to athleisure, but way more polished and stylish.” Made from a cozy knit fabric, this midi dress is available in a ton of stunning colors — we’re eyeing the red and rose options for ourselves, but there really is something for everyone. Some people find this dress clings to their body in places they don’t want it to, so you may need to try it for yourself to find out if it’s a good fit for your shape and preferences.
Size: S–XL | Colors: 20 | Material: Viscose, nylon, polyester | Length: Midi
Related: The 21 Best Knit Dresses for Effortless Elegance
Best Mini: LILLUSORY Women's Crewneck Oversized Sweater Dress
What We Love: It’s perfect for looking cute while feeling cozy.
What We Don’t Love: You may need to size down.
This is one for the pumpkin-spice-all-year-round girlies. It’s the perfect combination of cozy and sexy, thanks to its chunky knit style, warm long sleeves, and leg-baring length — just read the comments before buying, because you may need to size down significantly to get the right fit. “This mini sweater dress is perfect for winter paired with tights and boots or layered under a leather jacket,” says Rivera. “It has so many color options and is great for holiday parties, date nights or going out with friends.” We’re especially loving the caramel and red options for those colder days, but the candy pink and orange are so cute too.
Size: S–XL | Colors: 18 | Material: Acrylic | Length: Mini
Best Party: YIJIU Women Long Sleeve Velvet Dress
What We Love: It’s the perfect go-to for the holiday season.
What We Don’t Love: The proportions don’t work on every body.
If you’re shopping for the holiday season, there’s no safer bet than velvet — especially when it’s this adorable. “This silhouette with the wrap waist and gathered sleeves makes it super flattering and able to transition easily between cocktail and more casual events,” says Greer. “Wear it to any November or December weddings, pair it with a pair of fun tights and bold heels or boots for a holiday party, and dress it up with metallic accessories for New Year's.” While this dress has some stretch, this isn’t enough for it to fit on all body types: For instance, taller women may find it’s too revealing at the bottom, and you may need to try it to find out. If you’re willing to jump the gun regardless, may we suggest the black, pure pink, or red options?
Size: S–XXL | Colors: 10 | Material: Polyester, spandex | Length: Mini
Best for Wedding Guests: Dokotoo Women's Wrap V Neck Short Flared Sleeve Wedding Guest Dress
What We Love: The darker color options are perfect for winter weddings.
What We Don’t Love: The fabric wrinkles easily.
Winter weddings can feel harder to dress for, but we love the idea of this cross V-neck mini dress with fluttery sleeves paired with some good quality tights and elegant heeled pumps. The black, green, and ruby options are especially suitable for wintertime fancy events. Dress it up with gold jewelry and add a faux fur or glittery jacket to warm it up. Sadly, the fabric here wrinkles easily, which can dampen the overall effect, but you’ll find it shows up less on the darker color options.
Size: S–XXL | Colors: 8 | Material: Polyester | Length: Mini
Best Cocktail: Justfitsu Women's Elegant Midi Dress for Cocktail Evening Party
What We Love: It’s really easy to style for any event that calls for cocktail dress.
What We Don’t Love: The fabric is a bit see-through.
This dress’ description recommends this dress for bridesmaids, and we totally see that. With that in mind, it’s also ideal for events with a cocktail dress code (whether that’s a wedding or not), since it’s dressy and ankle-length. We prefer the darker options like black and wine red for evening events, while the pastel blue, green or pink would work well for a classy garden party. This pretty and easy to style dress features wide tie-up straps, a square neckline, a ribbon-style, detachable belt, and a simple tiered skirt. Some people found the fabric a bit see-through, but this varies from color to color.
Size: S–XL | Colors: 10 | Material: Polyester | Length: Midi
Best Black: Dokotoo Deep V Neck Elegant Bow Tie Mini Dress
What We Love: It’s incredibly versatile.
What We Don’t Love: It runs small.
Everything is better with a bow, isn’t it? This mini dress with fluttery sleeves, a flattering V-neck and an easy silhouette is so pretty and SO easy to style. It can easily be worn to work with boots and a tailored jacket, for a party with heels and dressy jewelry, or for a friends’ shopping trip paired with sneakers and a coat. We love this as a little black dress, but it’s equally sweet in brighter colors like pink, wisteria, or sky blue. Just FYI, this one runs small, so you may want to consider sizing up.
Size: S–XL | Colors: 12 | Material: Polyester | Length: Mini
Best Color Selection: Merokeety Women's Ribbed Long Sleeve Sweater Dress
What We Love: It looks great on so many different body types and is even suitable for maternity wear.
What We Don’t Love: The fabric can feel a bit itchy.
A sweater dress is a great idea when the temps drop, since it allows you to embrace a fun, feminine look while making sure you stay toasty enough to brave the weather. This one comes in a bunch of colors, meaning you could buy one for every day of the week if you decide you kind of want to live in them while it’s cold out. It’s also made with a great amount of stretch for more freedom of movement as you hustle and bustle your way through the holiday season. Unfortunately, the fabric feels a bit itchy at times, but we’re willing to overlook this since it fits lots of different body types, and is even suitable for maternity wear.
Size: XS–XL | Colors: 22 | Material: Nylon, viscose, polyester | Length: Midi
Best Maternity: Ekouaer Women's Maternity Dress
What We Love: It will move with you through every stage of pregnancy.
What We Don’t Love: The material is a bit see-through.
This knit dress with ribbed fabric comes with tons of stretch to accommodate your growing bump throughout your pregnancy. It’s comfy enough to wear for everyday errands but cute enough to dress up for a date night or baby shower, and you know there’s nothing we love more than a versatile piece of clothing. The thin material lets this one down a bit, and it may need layering or wearing with skin-colored underwear to avoid any issues with that. But on the plus side, if you love it, you can always come back for more since it’s available in so many great shades and patterns.
Size: XS–XXL | Colors: 19 | Material: Polyester, spandex | Length: Midi
Best for Work: ANRABESS Women's Sweater Dress
What We Love: It’s discreet and elegant.
What We Don’t Love: It runs small.
This sweater dress is extra easy to wear and style all season long, since it’s discreet while still being very pretty (and warm). “This dress is the perfect option for all of the holiday parties you have coming up,” says Rivera. “The tie waist on this dress elevates any look with a kitten heel ankle boot or sparkly heel.” As for us, we like this one for wearing to the office, paired with some functional boots and a sleek jacket. Depending on your body shape, you may need to size up here in order to achieve a comfortable fit — make sure to read the reviews before adding to cart.
Size: S–XL | Colors: 11 | Material: Viscose, nylon, polyester | Length: Midi
Best Print: PRETTYGARDEN Women's 2023 Fall Long Sleeve V Neck Ruffle Maxi Dress
What We Love: The cheetah print adds a fun dimension to your workwear.
What We Don’t Love: The material feels stiff on the first few wears.
“If you want to add a print to your winter wardrobe look no further,” says Rivera. “This cheetah print maxi dress is a great piece that can transition from fall to winter. You can layer this dress with a mesh turtleneck underneath or a leather jacket over for the perfect winter look.” As well as the fun print options, this pretty and work-ready maxi dress comes in some lovely solid colors too. While some people find the 100 percent polyester material feels stiff and plasticky, it does relax after a few wears if you’re willing to give it the time of day.
Size: S–XXL | Colors: 24 | Material: Polyester | Length: Maxi
Best T-Shirt: GAP Women's Pocket T-Shirt Casual Dress
What We Love: It’s the perfect essential t-shirt dress.
What We Don’t Love: It shrinks easily in the wash.
A T-shirt dress is such a great piece to have on hand for wearing around the house or running errands, but also for dressing up for a nice brunch. Made from soft 100 percent cotton jersey and available in six colors, this one from Gap is a pretty sure bet. It falls at mid-thigh so isn’t too short, and it has a pocket, too, which as we all know is the best possible feature for any dress style. It does shrink easily in the wash, though, so you may need to wash it on cold and skip the tumble dry on this one. Take it into the winter months with a simple pair of tights and some ankle boots.
Size: XS–XXL | Colors: 5 | Material: Cotton | Length: Mini
Best Sweater: Satuun Women's Crew Neck Long Sleeve Over Knee Length Pullover Loose Oversized Bodycon Sweater Dress
What We Love: It’s comfy and cozy, but easy to elevate.
What We Don’t Love: It’s dry clean only.
This one is for those looking to keep things simple. “The oversize fit of the dress is comfortable while the turtleneck keeps the classic feel to the look,” says Rivera. “You can dress this up or down with a fun sock and loafer combo with your fun printed coat or keep it classic with a tall black boot and long wool coat.” Available in six relatively neutral solid colors, this sweater dress hits below the knee and will keep you nice and warm throughout the winter months. Our one complaint is that it’s dry clean only, which is a pain if you’re planning to wear it a lot.
Size: S–XL | Colors: 6 | Material: Polyamide, viscose, modal, elastane | Length: Midi
Best for Layering: OYOANGLE Women's V Neck Sleeveless Knitted Solid Short Sweater Dress with Pockets
What We Love: It gives you endless options for layering.
What We Don’t Love: It’s too short for some people.
“This sleeveless pocket sweater dress is perfect for winter layering,” says Greer. “Add a color or pattern mock neck underneath, or keep things minimal and classic with a button down and sheer tights. This length will work great with both tall and short boots, and a longer trench style coat or a boxy cropped jacket as well.” The bright colors such as the hot pink and blue options are super cute, but we’d recommend opting for the more neutral colors to keep your options open when it comes to layering. Though some people find it a bit short, we love that there’s a great range of sizes available here, so many people will be able to size up to see if that gives them a better fit. Still, lots of people actually love the length.
Size: XS–4XL | Colors: 14 | Material: Acrylic, polyamide, polyester | Length: Mini
Best Long-Sleeve: LYANER Women's Collar V Neck Button Down Pleated Long Sleeve Mini Shirt Dress with Belt
What We Love: It looks expensive.
What We Don’t Love: The sizing is a bit off.
As you’ve probably figured out if you made it this far down the list, Amazon is king when it comes to scoring luxurious-looking clothes at wallet-friendly prices, and this dress definitely fits that criteria. “I love a plissé style dress; it looks very expensive and gives a French-girl chic vibe,” says Sansone. “This dress is a comfortable option for the summer and can easily be dressed up with a heel, or down with flats or a lifestyle tennis shoe, depending on where you’re headed. Bonus: This shirt-style mini dress works on a range of body types.” The bold print options are especially gorgeous, if you ask us. The one thing we would note is that sizing is limited and pretty inconsistent, so make sure to read the reviews to determine whether you need to size up or down.
Size: XS–XXL | Colors: 29 | Material: Polyester, spandex | Length: Mini
What to Keep in Mind
Seller
If you remember just one thing from this article, it’s that you should buy items that ship directly from Amazon whenever possible — you can check whether that’s the case under the payment button. “When your item ships directly from Amazon, it is guaranteed to arrive within the Prime shipping window,” Sansone explains. “Amazon also covers customer service and returns for these orders, making it a much smoother experience for the customer.” The influencer also notes that she looks for the Amazon stamp of approval and the Amazon’s Choice badge to give her further confidence in a specific product. The Drop is Amazon’s in-house brand and always fits these parameters. Consider our best overall pick, The Drop Women's Ana Silky V-Neck Midi Slip Dress.
Style
Amazon is amazing for stylish, on-trend pieces with lower price tags, which means that you’re sometimes compromising on quality — but that’s not a bad thing, according to West. “In my experience, purchasing mid to high-end pieces is not always necessary,” she says. “Buying these stylish pieces at a low price point makes them easier to wear because you won’t be too upset if you end up with a snag or two.”
Material
While a good number of the items on our list are made from more breathable cotton (utcoco) or viscose (MEROKEETY), many more affordable clothes are made using poly fabrics such as polyester, which aren’t great for the planet and make for an overall lower quality product. However, “poly fabrics are synthetic but come with a lot of benefits,” says Sansone. “They tend to keep their shape, and they don't wrinkle easily. They are easy to clean and are durable.” We love Floerns Women's Plus Size Satin Spaghetti Strap Cowl Neck Wrap Party Cami Dress and Justfitsu Women's Elegant Midi Dress for Cocktail Evening Party.
Your Questions, Answered
Are the dresses on Amazon good quality?
The answer is murky: It depends. “Quality on Amazon varies for sure, so keep an open mind here,” says West. Sansone also recommends doing your homework before hitting “add to cart.” “The quality varies on Amazon, so be picky with your purchases and research (via Google) the fabrics used if you’re on the hunt for a specific level of quality,” she says. “Many of the items I see from Amazon have decent quality, but not everything.” Part of the fun (and convenience) of Amazon is the hunt with quick shipping and easy returns, which may sometimes be prioritized over quality.
How do you style a dress?
You can style a dress in endless ways, and you’ll see that we provided outfit suggestions for some of our picks throughout the article. When she’s dealing with a versatile dress such as a jersey midi or a simple mini like that from Dokotoo, West says, “I like to add a cinch waist belt and a heel to take an otherwise simple look to another level. Keep it casual but chic with a fun sneaker and a crossbody bag.” Meanwhile, it probably wouldn’t make sense to style a simple T-shirt dress like our pick from Gap with some super dressy heels, and sneakers wouldn’t flatter a formal gown, so use your best judgment and don’t be afraid to get creative.
Why Shop With Us
Iris Goldsztajn is a Paris-born, London-based freelance writer with 10 years of experience covering fashion, beauty, wellness, and lifestyle. To write this article, she scoured the marketplace for the best reviews and spoke to various style experts who shared their recommendations. Those experts included Boston-based personal stylist Tara West; fashion influencer Brittany Sansone; Fashivly co-founder Ashlyn Greer; and stylist Mollye Rivera.
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