Top 15 Red Party Dresses

by Kathleen Loxton
Rihanna in sparkly red body con dress

Forget the little black dress, it’s time for the little red dress. We’ve chosen our top 15 red party dresses, with some style inspiration from celebrities who look amazing in red.

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Body Frock Jasmine Sculpting Lace Dress £97.00
Body Frock Jasmine Sculpting Lace Dress £97.00
Paper Dolls 3/4 Length Sleeve Lace Dress £68.0
Paper Dolls 3/4 Length Sleeve Lace Dress £68.0

The Little Red Dress

From Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, to Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind, the red dress is iconic. But so many women avoid wearing red dresses because they’re scared of looking cheap and trashy. We’re here show you how red can be glamourous and sexy, whatever your age, size or body shape.

Photo Credit: Pinterest (Pictured Left to Right) Scarlett O’Hara – Gone with the Win / Julia Roberts – Pretty Woman / Fiona Johnson – Woman in  Red – The Matrix

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Mary Katrantzou Ruffled Printed Maxi Dress £1,247.40
Mary Katrantzou Ruffled Printed Maxi Dress £1,247.40
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Off-the-shoulder £2,075
Alexander McQueen Off-the-shoulder £2,075
HERVÉ LÉGER Bandage gown £855.75
HERVÉ LÉGER Bandage gown £855.75

This Christmas red lace is going to be very popular. If you’re looking for something sexier, the silk slip dress that has been on trend all year will continue through to the festive season. But red isn’t just for the Christmas season. There are so many shades to choose, with paler nude reds for spring, and deep cherry reds for autumn.

Here are some tips to find the right shade of red for your skin tone:

  • Fair skin – Bright and crimson reds will contrast your pale skin.
  • Medium skin – Try paler peachy and nude reds to complement your skin tone.
  • Olive skin – The reds you choose should be darker with brown and deep purple undertones.
  • Dark skin – Choose a deep wine or rhubarb red as deeper tones will suit you.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Our Top 15 Red Party Dresses

We’ve selected our top 15 red party dresses which have everything from satin to lace and all different shades of red to compliment all skin types and seasons. The Oscar de la Renta printed red and white dress is perfect for a summer party dress and can be both dressed up and down. Simply throw on a denim jacket for a day look and then add some heeled sandals and a thin belt to clinch in the waist and you’re good to go for an evening do.

We’re obsessed with these two Valentino dresses as although on the pricey side of things they are total wardrobe classics that can be worn come rain or shine. Perfect for the office and after work drinks too. Not normally a fan of red dresses with black tights but given the deep shade of red this would actually work really well teamed with some black ankle boots too.

Sophia Tiered Lace Dress £65
Sophia Tiered Lace Dress £65
Lola Ruffle Front Dress £70
Lola Ruffle Front Dress £70
Marchesa Notte Embellished red lace mini dress £328.50
Marchesa Notte Embellished lace mini dress £328.50
Adam Lippes Asymmetric silk-crepe mini dress £280
Adam Lippes Asymmetric silk-crepe mini dress £280
W118 by Walter Baker Lacy off-the-shoulder cotton lace dress £127.50
W118 by Walter Baker Lacy off-the-shoulder cotton lace dress £127.50
OSCAR DE LA RENTA Printed cotton-blend dress £470.25
Oscar De La Renta Printed cotton-blend dress £470.25
Halston Heritage Twisted crepe mini dress £150.75
Halston Heritage Twisted crepe mini dress £150.75
HERVÉ LÉGER Bandage mini dress £571.50
HERVÉ LÉGER Bandage mini dress £571.50
Zac Posen Strapless cutout satin dress £1169
Zac Posen Strapless cutout satin dress £1169
VALENTINO lace mini dress £1685.30
VALENTINO lace mini dress £1685.30
Valentino Lace and tulle mini dress £1850
Valentino Lace and tulle mini dress £1850
ASOS Scuba Deep Plunge Midi Bodycon Dress £38.00
ASOS Scuba Deep Plunge Midi Bodycon Dress £38.00
Majorelle Victoria Falls Maxi Dress £170.00
Majorelle Victoria Falls Maxi Dress £170.00
ASOS Lace Off Shoulder Midi Dress £75.00
ASOS Lace Off Shoulder Midi Dress £75.00
Love Triangle High Neck Pencil Dress with Delicate Lace Back £48.00
Love Triangle Pencil Dress with Lace Back £48.00

Celebrities Wearing Red Party Dresses

If you’re still not sure about the red dress here is some celebrity style inspiration. Scarlett Johansson created an iconic look with her red bodycon number she wore all the way back in 2006. While Dita von Teese , the Queen of Burlesque looks sexy in her low-cut fitted red dress. Rosie Huntington-Whitley has gone for a more gothic look with her deep red gown, gothic choker and knee-high boots but also shows that blondes can wear 2 very different shades of red dresses and still look amazing!

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley wearing a red velvet dress

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley wearing a dark red velvet dress and a red halter neck dress

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Shop The Look

Warehouse Velvet Cami Dress £49.00
Warehouse Velvet Cami Dress £49.00
Majorelle Victoria Falls Maxi Dress £170.00
Majorelle Victoria Falls Maxi Dress £170.00

Abbey Clancy wearing a red halter-neck dress

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Club L Deep Plunge Back Maxi Dress £25.00
Club L Deep Plunge Back Maxi Dress £25.00
Missguided Lace Up Barely There Sandal £15.00
Missguided Lace Up Barely There Sandal £15.00

Emilia Clarke wearing a strapless red party dress

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Zac Posen Strapless cutout satin dress £1169
Zac Posen Strapless cutout satin dress £1169
ABEL Carvela Kurt Geiger £69.00 form Shoeaholics.com
ABEL Carvela Kurt Geiger £69.00

Dita Von Teese wearing a red pencil dress

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Ted Baker Torry stretch-crepe dress £89
Ted Baker Torry stretch-crepe dress £89
Christian Louboutin Lady peep £625
Christian Louboutin Lady peep £625

Charlize Theron wearing a red peplum dress

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AX Paris Bandeau Peplum Frill Midi Dress £19
AX Paris Bandeau Peplum Frill Midi Dress £19
Jimmy Choo Lance Gold Mirror Leather Sandals £550
Jimmy Choo Lance Gold Mirror Sandals £550

Scarlett Johansson wearing a red gown

Scarlett Johansson wearing a red dress at the 2006 Golden Globes

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ASOS Drape Cami Maxi Dress £28.00
ASOS Drape Cami Maxi Dress £28.00
Public Desire Aisha Red Strappy Heeled Sandals £29.99
Public Desire Aisha Red Strappy Heeled Sandals £29.99

Bella Hadid wearing a red dress

bella hadid in red slit dress

PHOTO CREDIT: Reuters

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Abyss by Abby Demi £135
Abyss by Abby Demi £135
Abyss by Abby Ambrosia £135
Abyss by Abby Ambrosia £135

 What make up to wear with a red dress?

How to Wear Your Red Party Dress

  • Choose the right shade for your skin tone.
  • Your dress should complement your figure. Don’t let the dress wear you.
  • If in doubt, keep it simple. You can never lose with a simple silhouette.
  • Don’t overdo it with accessories. Let the dress stand out on its own.
  • Head to toe red isn’t a good look. Accessorise with complementary colours.
  • A great pair of shoes will complete your look.

On that Note…

By now you should have an idea of the best little red dress for you. If not, the best way to find out is to try it on. So leave the LBD in the closet and try something new.

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