Shopping by Occasion

Choosing the perfect dress starts with the occasion, setting and dress code. Explore our Wedding Guest Dress Guide for advice on what to wear to black-tie, formal, cocktail, garden and destination weddings. You can also browse our designer collections to discover more styles from the fashion houses featured at Cocosorisi. For personalized recommendations, book a styling appointment with our Manhasset boutique.

Black tie and galas. A floor-length gown is the expectation here. Look to Zhivago for architectural tailoring and a sculpted shoulder, Sau Lee for refined evening construction, and Rachel Gilbert for beaded column silhouettes.

Weddings. What you need depends on the invitation more than the season. Formal and black-tie optional celebrations suit either a gown or an elevated midi. Cocktail weddings call for a polished midi. Our wedding guest guides cover each dress code in detail, including what to wear to a black-tie wedding and how black tie differs from formal.

Cocktail parties and formal dinners. Midi dresses do the most work in a wardrobe. Rebecca Vallance, LEO LIN and Acler all cut a midi that carries a daytime event into an evening one.

Rehearsal dinners, welcome parties and after-parties. This is where the shorter, more fashion-forward pieces belong. Bronx and Banco and For Love & Lemons both sit here.

Holiday and New Year’s. Sequins, metallics and velvet are more appropriate in December than any other month. Take the opportunity.

Shopping by Length

Gowns and maxi dresses are the right answer for black tie, galas, and formal evening weddings. If you are under about 5’5″ and plan to wear a lower heel, budget for a hem, since most designer gowns are cut for height.

Midi dresses are the most versatile length in occasion wear. Appropriate for cocktail attire, country club weddings, formal luncheons and afternoon ceremonies, and far easier to rewear than a gown.

Mini dresses suit welcome parties, rehearsal dinners, after-parties and celebrations where the dress code leans festive rather than formal.

Sizing and Fit

We carry US sizes 0 through 14 across most of the collection, though individual designers vary. Each product page lists the fabric composition and the size the model is wearing.

A few patterns worth knowing. Australian labels including Zhivago, Acler and Rebecca Vallance tend to cut close through the ribcage and waist, which is intentional rather than a sizing error. Structured shoulders do not alter well, so if a dress feels wrong across the shoulders, a different silhouette will serve you better than a different size. Hems, waists and side seams alter easily.

Our full size chart, including Australian and European conversions, is here.

Try Before You Decide

Occasion dresses are worth trying on. Our Manhasset boutique at 1663 Northern Boulevard carries the collection in store, and we are happy to pull several sizes and silhouettes so you can compare them side by side. Book a styling appointment or call 516-304-5585.

If you are shopping online, we ship nationwide and internationally, with domestic returns.

Common Questions

What designers do you carry? Zhivago, Rebecca Vallance, Amanda Uprichard, For Love & Lemons, Bronx and Banco, Sau Lee, Helsi, LEO LIN, Acler, Cinq à Sept, PatBO, ELLIATT, Cynthia Rowley, Mac Duggal and more. The full list is on our designers page.

Do you have dresses for a black-tie wedding? Yes. Our gown selection is built for black tie, and our stylists can help you choose based on the venue and time of day.

Can I try dresses on in store? Yes, at 1663 Northern Boulevard in Manhasset, New York. Appointments are recommended during wedding and holiday season.

What sizes do you carry? Most of the collection runs US 0 through 14, with variation by designer. Each product page lists specifics.

Do you offer alterations? Ask us at your appointment and we will point you to the right option for the piece.

Do you ship? Yes, nationwide and internationally.