It's a fact: Choosing what to wear for a special occasion is tricky no matter what age you are, but as HELLO!'s resident shopping editor, I'm here to help you by perusing the virtual aisles for some top picks. I've even looked towards the royals (my other specialist subject!) for some expert guidance as well.
And talking of experts, there was one person I really wanted to reach out to when it comes to the royals, and that's Samantha, she's the woman behind the popular Royal Fashion Daily Instagram account (formerly known as Royal Fashion Police). She's a marvel at documenting royal outfits, so I was desperate to know what the 50+ royals can teach us about getting dressed up for a special event.
© Getty ImagesSamantha notes that it's all about choosing the right dress! She advises that you opt for "well-fitted, structured pieces like tailored coats and dresses that highlight your shape."
She added: "Don’t be afraid of vibrant colours - Queen Mary often wears bright blues, reds, and greens that make a statement. Add clean, minimal accessories to keep the look polished but not fussy and Opt for elegant, simple hairstyles to complement the outfit without overpowering it."
How I chose the best occasion wear dresses for older women
- Flattering: I want this to be a stylish edit but I also want to make sure the dresses will be flattering, too. From long sleeves to high necklines and modest midi cuts, these are all the styles that flatter a variety of body shapes.
- Cost: I've tried to choose dresses that you can wear time and time again so if they're a little more expensive, I'm hoping the investment will be worth it in the long run. I also looked at some of my favourite brands, and the ones that I trust.
- Age appropiate: As you know, this edit is all about dresses handpicked with an age category in mind. I've tried to pick a mix of styles - after all, just because you've reached a certain age, doesn't necessarily mean you have to change your style. I'm hoping you'll get the inspiration that works FOR YOU.
© Getty Images- Long sleeved editor's pick: Boden Tulle Ruffle Maxi Dress, £159 / $249
- Short sleeved editor's pick: Queens of Archive 'Tabitha' Dress, £400 / $550
- Midi length editor's pick: Mint Velvet Black Diamante Trim Midi Dress, £220 / $885
- Floral style editor's pick: LK Bennett Mimi Birch Floral Print Viscose Dress, £499 / $895
- Modest pick: Next Burgundy Red Cape Maxi Dress, £72 / $122
- Wrap style editor's pick: Karen Millen Geo Print Crepe Tie Waist Maxi Dress, £69.30 / $159.20
- Black tie editor's pick: OddMuse London The Ultimate Muse Halter Neck Maxi Dress, £165 / $235
© Getty ImagesBest occasion dresses for women over 50
1/18
Boden Tulle Ruffle Maxi Dress
© BodenWhy I love it:
- Party ready
- Long, sheer sleeves
- Waist cinching waistband
- Fit and flare design
This dress is guaranteed to make you feel good and it'll always be there for you - it's so timeless. The sheer sleeves will ensure you feel comfortable and you'll be able to dance all night in this dress. There are also other colours to choose from.
2/18
Queens of Archive 'Tabitha' Dress
© Queens of ArchiveWhy I love it:
- Elegant
- Deep navy velvet
- Quiet drama on the sleeve
I've found the ideal dress for you if you want to look poised and elegant. Queens of Archive is a fabulous brand and the likes of Holly Willoughby, Ferne Cotton and Lisa Snowdon are all huge fans. The 'Tabitha' dress exudes glamour.
3/18
LK Bennett Mimi Birch Floral Print Viscose Dress
© LK BennettWhy I Love It:
- Waterfall sleeves
- Versatile for all bust sizes
- Perfect for many occasions
A floral dress is the perfect option when it comes to occasionwear and this with this Ikat floral print is gorgeous. It’s made from a silk blend and the waterfall sleeves add all the drama you need.
4/18
Aspiga 'Enid' Stretch Corduroy Dress
© AspigaWhy I love it:
- Midi length
- Organic cotton stretch corduroy
- On trend colour
I'm a big fan of Aspiga's dresses. Not only do they look good, but they're incredibly designed as well. I think this dress would be a fantastic occasion dress thanks to its jewel-like hue. Team with a pair of pointy kitten heels and perhaps a statement clutch bag.
5/18
Rixo Blue 'Loralyn' Floral Dress
© RixoWhy I love it:
- Lightweight
- Midi length
- Partially lined
Who doesn't love an easy floral dress? I am a huge fan of Rixo and this dress will never date. The boho dress features subtle asymmetrical layers of ruffles on both the hem and sleeves,
6/18
Marks & Spencer Jersey Knitted Lace Midaxi Dress
© Marks & SpencerWhy I love it:
- Knit, stretch tyle
- Affordable
- Elegant long sleeves
This red wine coloured dress found on the Marks & Spencer website is the perfect blend of statement style and being on trend. There's also added stretch in the fabric for easy all-day wear.
7/18
Next Burgundy Red Cape Maxi Dress
© NextWhy I love it:
- Midi length
- Cape sleeves
- On trend colour
- Available in other colour ways
Burgundy? So on trend. Cape style? On the money. This dress from Next looks fashionable and comfortable - the perfect balance of the two. Wear for a day at the races or a wedding and because it's a timeless style, you can wear it for years to come.
8/18
Nobody's Child Black Lace Bow Front Una Midi Dress
© Nobody's ChildWhy I love it:
- Flattering puff sleeves
- Adjustable tie back detail
- On trend bows
How dreamy is this dress? The black lace is sexy, but the bows make it a little demure. The empire waistline is flattering on the tummy area and the decoration on the front gives some added drama. It would appear that this dress is bra-friendly if you choose wisely. The site recommends you take your usual size.
9/18
River Island Green Asymmetric Draped Wrap Midi Dress
© River IslandWhy I love it:
- Draped neck
- Bright colour but not too summery
- The subtle split
River Island is a great place to find occasion wear if you ask me. I saw plenty of dressy options available, but I chose this green asymmetric wrap dress because I can imagine it would work really well on a lot of women - especially if you you're not really a dress person. Keep accessories to a minimum with this dress, but perhaps go for matching heels and clutch.
10/18
Reiss Adina Tuxedo Blazer Dress
© ReissWhy I Love It:
- Tuxedo tailoring
- Satin lapels
- Short hemline
A little bit masculine, a little bit feminine - this 'Adina' dress strikes the perfect balance. ,The sheer fabric on the sleeves gives it a touch of sex appeal, too.
11/18
Hobbs London 'Willow' Dress
© HobbsWhy I love it:
- Long sleeves
- Modest
- Available up to a size 22
This is a real classic dress that would suit ladies who don't feel comfortable with anything too risque or too loud.
12/18
Karen Millen Geo Print Crepe Tie Waist Maxi Dress
© Karen MillenWhy I love it:
- Midi length
- Long sleeves
- Can be worn with colour pop accessories
Karen Millen has always been a strong favourite here at HELLO! HQ and this long-sleeved dress wins brownie points for the flattering fit.
13/18
Mint Velvet Black Diamante Trim Midi Dress
© Mint VelvetWhy I love it:
- Midi length
- Short sleeves
- Flattering fit-and-flare shape
Is this not the most exquisite dress? Mint Velvet is a firm favourite with the fashion crowd and lots of the occasion wear dresses tend to sell fast. I love this one, because it brings just the right amount of drama. Keep it looking modern with fuss-free accessories.
14/18
Phase Eight 'Cheryl' Printed Midi Dress
Why I love it:
- Cowl neck style
- Midi length
- Available up to a size 26
If you're looking for a sleeveless dress for a special occasion, this new-in dress at Phase Eight is stunning. It has a cowl neck design and will look fabulous with pointy court shoes or strappy sandals. What's more, it's cinched in at the waist to further enhance the silhouette.
15/18
Needle & Thread Joelle Crepe Midaxi Dress
© Needle & ThreadWhy I love it:
- Midaxi length
- Long sleeves
- Timeless
- Detachable slip lining
Needle & Thread is a royal occasion wear-approved brand and this dress is part of the new collection so I couldn't resist showing it off to you. It's a little bit different from your typical Needle & Thread dress but it's designed in a soft crepe with a defined waist, midaxi hemline and slight volume through the sleeves.
16/18
Live Unlimited Curve Animal Print Tie Front Jersey Dress
© Live UnlimitedWhy I love it:
- Chic wrap design
- Can be worn with flat shoes or heels
- Available up to a size 28
- Perfect for an wedding
If you prefer a wrap dress that you can wear a pair of glam flat shoes with, we've found it. I think this would look gorgeous with a black box clutch and possibly some bedazzled earrings.
17/18
Self Portrait Embellished Navy Lace Midi Dress
© Self PortraitWhy I love it:
- Regal
- Embellished
- Brand with a cult following
This is probably a little bit different from all the other dresses I've chosen in this edit, but I wanted to give you a lacy option. Perhaps you're the mother of the bride and want something similar to this. Keep it fresh and modern with a glam blow-dry and a chic box clutch.
18/18
OddMuse London The Ultimate Muse Halter Neck Maxi Dress
© OddMuse LondonWhy I love it:
- Maxi length
- Halter neck style
- Figure skimming
- Plain and unfussy
I realise not everyone wants to wear florals, lace and velvet. If you're looking for some more slinky numbers, we have an edit of long satin dresses for women, as well. This one works perfectly for a black tie wedding.
How to style an occasion dress if you're an older woman
Accessories are super important when it comes to styling a dress for a special occasion. Don't let the bag you choose be an after thought. I would stick to a clutch bag for a special occasion, leave those crossbody styles for more casual ensembles. Footwear can always be a tricky one - try and wear shoes that you love and most importantly, shoes that you feel comfortable in. You might prefer a wide-fit shoe or a mid-heel sandal. If you want to wear flat shoes, try and search for a glamorous pair and be mindful of the length of the dress if you decide to wear flats. If you want to go to the next level, pick a fascinator if you're off to the races or choose a statement pair of earrings. Remember, photographs are often from the waist up so it's always good to have a focal point around the face.
