I spent years thinking blue was the safe choice at a party, the thing you wore when you couldn’t decide, and I was completely wrong about that. Blue is not the fallback colour, it is the one that actually does the work black claims credit for. It reads as considered rather than default, and on a dance floor under bad venue lighting it holds its nerve in a way that black just goes flat and navy separates itself into about four different shades depending on where you’re standing.
What makes a blue party dress good rather than just blue is the depth of it. Cobalt, ink, that electric almost too much shade somewhere between teal and true blue, they all photograph properly and they all do something interesting against skin tone that black never bothers to try. A good one has a bit of shine to it too, whether that’s a slip in liquid satin or something with a metallic thread running through, because flat matte blue in a big volume can tip into costume territory fast.
Cut matters more than colour here. The dress should have a shape that survives sitting down, standing at a bar, and being hugged by someone who’s had two more glasses of wine than you.
Styling it is where people overthink it. You do not need to match your accessories to the blue, in fact please don’t, gold jewellery against a deep blue looks properly expensive with almost no effort. Silver works if the dress leans more electric or icy. A structured blazer over the top gets you through the bit of the evening before the party actually starts, and comes off the second it does. Bare legs if the venue allows it, sheer black tights if it’s January and the dress is doing a lot of the glamour already.
Occasion wise this is your Christmas party dress, your milestone birthday dress, your “wedding where the invite says black tie optional and you’re going to test that” dress. It’s not trying to be office appropriate or brunch appropriate, it knows exactly what it’s there for, which is the whole point. Wear it somewhere with actual lighting and a dance floor, not somewhere you’ll spend the night sitting on a low sofa wondering why you bothered.
Top Picks
BLUE PARTY DRESSZEAGOOWomen Sleeveless Bodycon Ruched Short Dress Side Drawstring Solid Casual Tank Shirt Mini Party Dresses - Zeagoo- Blue / L(8-10)
$17.99 ZEAGOO
BLUE PARTY DRESSHELLO MOLLY (US)Office After Party Tweed Off Shoulder Mini Dress Blue
$109.95 HELLO MOLLY (US)
BLUE PARTY DRESSZAPAKA VINTAGE, INC.Navy Blue Velvet Sheath Party Dress
$69.89 ZAPAKA VINTAGE, INC.
SHOEMALL.COMMasseys Garden Party A-Line Dress Blue Multi Dresses 1X
$32.00 SHOEMALL.COM
SELDOM SEEN STYLESWomen's Retro Western Cowgirl Fringe Hem Slim Dress Boho Vacation Festival Party Outfit
$48.70 SELDOM SEEN STYLES
DAILY SALE, INC.Women's Party Shirt Dress
$49.00 DAILY SALE, INC.
HELLO MOLLY (US)Pop Star Party Satin Strapless Mini Dress Blue
$89.95 HELLO MOLLY (US)
HELLOMOLLY (US)Party Palace Midi Dress Cobalt Blue
$89.00 HELLOMOLLY (US)
HELLOMOLLY (US)Party Professional Maxi Dress Blue
$87.38 HELLOMOLLY (US)
ZAPAKA VINTAGE, INC.Navy Blue Velvet Sheath Party Dress
$69.89 ZAPAKA VINTAGE, INC.
HELLO MOLLY (US)Want To Party Mini Dress Blue
$115.95 HELLO MOLLY (US)
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDClassy Sweetheart Cut Out Lace Prom Dress Sleeveless A-Line Tulle Formal Party Gown - light-blue
$175.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
HELLO MOLLY (US)Office After Party Tweed Off Shoulder Mini Dress Blue
$109.95 HELLO MOLLY (US)
HELLO MOLLY (US)Party Sensation One Shoulder Mini Dress Blue
$75.95 HELLO MOLLY (US)
ZEAGOOSatin Long-Sleeved Loose Fit Dress Elegant Evening Party Dresses - Blue / M(6)
$39.99 ZEAGOO
HELLO MOLLY (US)Let's Party Dress Blue
$95.00 HELLO MOLLY (US)
HELLO MOLLY (US)Party At The Disco Halter Mini Dress Blue
$85.95 HELLO MOLLY (US)
ZAPAKA VINTAGE, INC.Blue Sequins Tulle Party Dress
$139.89 ZAPAKA VINTAGE, INC.
COTTON ON (US)Cotton On Kids - Gigi Flutter Sleeve Dress - Tea party pink/picnic
$34.99 COTTON ON (US)
HELLOMOLLY (US)Party Edit Satin Mini Dress Blue
$79.00 HELLOMOLLY (US)
HELLOMOLLY (US)Masquerade Party Satin Maxi Dress Blue
$107.38 HELLOMOLLY (US)
HELLOMOLLY (US)HELLO MOLLY Penthouse Party Bandage Midi Dress Blue
$115.00 HELLOMOLLY (US)
HELLOMOLLY (US)When We Party Dress Ocean
$89.75 HELLOMOLLY (US)
EKOUAERParty Dress Blazers
$68.99 EKOUAER
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDClassy Sweetheart Cut Out Lace Prom Dress Sleeveless A-Line Tulle Formal Party Gown - blue
$175.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
ZEAGOOWomen Sleeveless Bodycon Ruched Short Dress Side Drawstring Solid Casual Tank Shirt Mini Party Dresses - Zeagoo- Blue / L(8-10)
$17.99 ZEAGOO
HELLOMOLLY (US)Party Dreaming Satin Midi Dress Blue
$79.00 HELLOMOLLY (US)
THREDUP (US)B. Darlin Cocktail Dress - Party: Blue Dresses - Used - Size
$8.99 THREDUP (US)
THREDUP (US)Aidan by Aidan Mattox Cocktail Dress - Party: Blue Solid Pattern Dresses - Used - Size
$61.99 THREDUP (US)
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDClassy Sweetheart Cut Out Lace Prom Dress Sleeveless A-Line Tulle Formal Party Gown - royal-blue
$175.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
ZEAGOOZeagoo Sexy Ruched Bodycon Dress for Women, Midi Stretchy Sleeveless Tank Top Casual Party Club Dresses S-3XL- New-light Blue / 2XL(14)
$23.99 ZEAGOO
HELLO MOLLY (US)Another Party One Shoulder Mesh Maxi Dress Blue
$99.00 HELLO MOLLY (US)
ZEAGOOZeagoo Sexy Ruched Bodycon Dress for Women, Midi Stretchy Sleeveless Tank Top Casual Party Club Dresses S-3XL- Blue / M(6)
$18.99 ZEAGOO
THREDUP (US)Speechless Dress - Party: Blue Skirts & Dresses - Used - Size
$13.99 THREDUP (US)
THREDUP (US)BCBGMAXAZRIA Cocktail Dress - Party: Blue Dresses - Used - Size
$94.99 THREDUP (US)
THREDUP (US)Alex Evenings Cocktail Dress - Party: Blue Floral Pattern Dresses - New - Size 8 Petite
$124.99 THREDUP (US)
ZEAGOOLace Deep V Wedding Bridal Dress Banquet Evening Party Maxi Dress White Dress - Sky Blue / L(8-10)
$40.12 ZEAGOO
THREDUP (US)Morgan & Co. Cocktail Dress - Party: Blue Dresses - New - Size
$12.99 THREDUP (US)
THREDUP (US)Windsor Cocktail Dress - Party: Blue Dresses - New
$40.99 THREDUP (US)
THREDUP (US)ASOS Cocktail Dress - Party: Blue Solid Pattern Dresses - Used - Size 6 Petite
$28.99 THREDUP (US)
HELLO MOLLY (US)Party All Night Strapless Mini Dress Blue
$99.95 HELLO MOLLY (US)
ZEAGOOZeagoo Women's V Neck Bohemian Dress Floral Printed Maxi Dress Short Sleeve Beach Party Dress - Short Sleeve-yellow / L(8-10)
$30.99 ZEAGOO
ZEAGOOSleeveless Party Dress Elegant Elegant Sundresses Fashion A Line Tunic Dress Pleated Dress - Navy blue / S(4)
$26.90 ZEAGOO
ZEAGOOSexy V Neck Irregular Fold Party Dress - Lake Blue / 2XL(14)
$28.67 ZEAGOO
HELLO MOLLY (US)Party It Up Dress Blue
$79.00 HELLO MOLLY (US)
