Empire Cocktail Dresses

A empire cocktail dress or empire cocktail gown is a woman's dress worn at cocktail parties, and semi-formal occasions.

The length of cocktail dresses varies depending on fashion and local custom. The length ranges from just above the knee to touching the ankle. When it is about 5 cm (2 inches) above the ankle it is called tea length and when it is almost touching the ankle it is called ballerina length, although ballerina length dresses usually fall into the evening dress category. At semi-formal occasions, less elaborate, shorter-length cocktail dresses may be worn.

Showing 1 - 14 of 14 products

Empire Strapless Bust Corset Black Chest wrap Zip up Low Mini Skirt Flower/Rosette Beading Sequins Organza Cocktail Dresses (Cocktaildresses1100) Sku:Cocktaildresses1100 US$335.98US$167.99 Write a review
Empire Halter Off-the Shoulder Green V-Neck Zip up Mid Mini Skirt Beading Sequins Ruched Sash Organza Cocktail Dresses (Cocktaildresses1095) Sku:Cocktaildresses1095 US$309.10US$154.55 Write a review
Empire Spaghetti Straps Fancy Silhouette Royal Blue Sweet-Heart Zip up Mid Knee Length Ruched Beading Sequins Organza Cocktail Dresses (Cocktaildresses1088) Sku:Cocktaildresses1088 US$282.22US$112.89 Write a review
Empire Halter Simply Elegant Blue Green V-Neck Zip up Low Knee Length Ruched Sequins Belt Chiffon Cocktail Dresses (Cocktaildresses1083) Sku:Cocktaildresses1083 US$257.58US$103.03 Write a review
Empire Bust Corset Romantic Finge Blue Chest wrap Zip up Low Knee Length Ruffles Sash Pleated Organza Cocktail Dresses (Cocktaildresses1078) Sku:Cocktaildresses1078 US$266.54US$106.62 Write a review
Empire Halter Romantic Finge Grape V-Neck Zip up Low Knee Length Ruched Beading Sequins Belt Chiffon Cocktail Dresses (Cocktaildresses1075) Sku:Cocktaildresses1075 US$268.78US$107.51 Write a review
Flowing Dark Navy Informal Empire Pleated Chiffon Hi-Lo Cocktail Dress Sku:cocktaildresses0928 US$240.37US$96.15 6 Reviews
Modern Grey Empire Strapless Taffeta Beading Bow Mini Skirt Cocktail Dress Sku:cocktaildresses0890 US$286.02US$114.41 9 Reviews
Champagne Empire Chest Wrap One-Shoulder Flower/Rosette Cocktail Dress Sku:cocktaildresses0847 US$289.06US$115.62 13 Reviews
Simple Grape Spaghetti Straps Taffeta Pleated Beading Rhinestones Cocktail Dress Sku:cocktaildresses0677 US$378.83US$189.42 16 Reviews
Empire Watermelon Strapless Sweet-Heart Pleated Sash Chiffon Cocktail Dress Sku:cocktaildresses0501 US$243.41US$97.37 10 Reviews
Watermelon Empire Sling Square Neck Pleated Knee Length Taffeta Cocktail Dress Sku:cocktaildresses0500 US$255.58US$102.23 18 Reviews
Blue Empire Chest Wrap Beading Sequins Sash Bow Mini Skirt Cocktail Dress Sku:cocktaildresses0356 US$383.13US$191.57 12 Reviews
Navy Blue Empire Spaghetti Straps V-Neck Ruffles Chiffon Cocktail Dress Sku:cocktaildresses0226 US$342.31US$171.16 12 Reviews

Showing 1 - 14 of 14 products

More info About Cocktail Dress

Prior to the mid 20th century this type of dress was known as 'late afternoon'. When gentlemen are in business suits, ladies also wear dress suits or "good" afternoon skirt and dresses.

By the 1980s the criteria by which a garment was considered a cocktail dress was not its length, but its level of sumptuousness.

In the mid-20th century, some couturiers began describing full-skirted cocktail gowns as "dancing costumes". These are suitable for formal dances but not for balls, or other white tie affairs, where empires are worn.