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Turn heads with the best cocktail dresses in Johannesburg!
I don’t know about you, but every showstopper I’ve seen at a semi-formal gig donned a fab cocktail dress. My friends who scout for modelling agencies say the same.
I’m talking about threads between glam and chill, but not too black tie-ish to make you look like a Met Gala participant. You know, something that’ll turn heads at a wedding, rooftop dinner, or your friend’s engagement bash.
If that’s the look you’re after, the fashionistas in our team have done some window-shopping in Johannesburg. Here are the best local boutiques where you can score lovely cocktail dresses.
Bilqis Oriental Plaza
From bilqis_oriental_plaza
Address: Main Rd, Fordsburg
Contact Details: +27 82 902 3426
Operating Hours:
- Mon – 8:30 am to 5 pm
- Tue – 8:45 am to 5 pm
- Thu to Fri – 8:45 am to 5 pm
- Sat – 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
We can’t talk about Joburg boutiques without giving Bilqis Fashion their props. Since the 1970s, they’ve been providing brides, flower girls, and bridesmaids with quality fits.
Of course, cocktail wear is on deck, and they’re priced right for the city’s standards, though the selection isn’t that lengthy. What’s neat, though, is that you can pair them with lots of fascinator hats.
The online site also makes shopping a breeze, but if you ask me, hitting the physical store is better. Yusuf and his team offered us first-class service, and the free coffee is a major W in our books.
| Tip: Parking is smooth, so consider driving to get here. |
Scarlett Red Boutique
From scarlettredboutique
Address: 39 Buckingham Rd, Kensington
Contact Details: +27 76 680 3845
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 9 am to 4 pm
- Sat – 9 am to 2 pm
Scarlett Red Boutique’s Amore has stitched many dreams to life. See, custom jobs are her expertise, mainly matric and wedding stunners, which can match up to those of Joburg’s best bridal dress stores.
The sweet part is that she and her team actually listen to your ideas. Their bubbly demeanour also makes fittings stress-free.
If tailored pieces are too heavy for your wallet, though, the catalogue has ready-made cocktail dresses (and jewellery to go along with it). The fit range starts at R899 but can go as high as R1,650.
| Tip: They reply faster on WhatsApp (0766803845). |
Glam And Glitz
Address: 54 Van Buuren Rd, Bedfordview
Contact Details: +27 11 450 4340
Operating Hours:
- Tue to Fri – 9 am to 4:30 pm
- Sat – 9 am to 1:30 pm
Dresses for every occasion are what Glam and Glitz do best. Their services are just as flexible, since you can rent, help design, and even sell outfits here.
As for the size scope, their catalogue has ready-made garments running from 24–48. Just remember to phone them to secure a consultation with the one-stop shop’s lovely ladies.
Oh, and I say they’re a one-stop shop because they also offer shoes and accessories to match the pieces. No need to hit another shop for flats or bling.
| Tip: You can also hire them for alteration services. |
Off The Catwalk
From off_the_catwalk
Address: 44 14th Ave, Mayfair
Contact Details: +27 11 830 0587
Hafsa Mustapha opened Off The Catwalk in 2001 with a dream in mind: to provide Joburg with high-end fashion attire. Judging by the fits I scored, I’d say the dream became a reality.
Trendy Abayas, Eastern Wear, and assorted dresses make up the collection. Each outfit leans on the artsy side, as the shop gets inspo from theatre, film, music, and haute runway shows from fashionable cities like Paris and Milan.
Unsurprisingly, their top-notch work will cost you. The champagne-coloured dress I bought set me back R3,200, but hey, quality isn’t cheap.
| Tip: Consider shopping during the season’s end, when they usually drop sales. |
VOLA BOUTIQUE
From vola_boutique
Address: 13 6th St, Houghton Estate
Contact Details: +27 83 433 7768
Operating Hours:
- Tue to Fri – 10 am to 5 pm
- Sat – 9 am to 2 pm
When I heard that VOLA BOUTIQUE has 20-plus years in the fashion game, I couldn’t resist checking it out. Now, I’m sure why the shop is still holding up.
For a start, they hooked me up with a 1-on-1 consultation, followed by four fitting sessions. That’s how I learned the most suitable styles, colours, shapes, and textures for my build and the occasion.
Ready-to-wear options and alteration services can be booked, too, so they’re not just a joint for custom pieces.
| Tip: You have to call first. They’re an appointment-only shop. |
Honey Boutique
From honeyboutique_sa
Address: Shop RL17, Weltevreden Rd, Cresta
Contact Details: +27 11 476 1355
Operating Hours: Mon to Sat – 9 am to 5 pm
Styling since 1991, Honey Boutique is a Joburg fashion icon, especially when it comes to evening and matric wear.
Cocktail dresses are in stock as well. From what I’ve seen, they’re more on the elegant side, with V-neck sheaths, beadwork/sequins, clean silhouettes, and light colours such as soft beige and champagne.
We love that there’s also no limit on how many you can try in-store. The staff’s practical advice also trumps the convenience of online shopping!
| Tip: You can sell them pre-loved, boutique-style dresses in excellent condition here. |
House of Superior Clothing
From hschouse
Address: 203 Lynnwood Rd, Brooklyn, Pretoria
Contact Details: +27 82 331 9073
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 8 am to 5 pm
- Sat – 8 am to 3 pm
You don’t brand yourself as House of Superior Clothing (HSC) and sell average fits. Thankfully, this 25-year-old boutique lives up to the name.
The selection is massive, with tons of cocktail dresses that are either simple, printed, or romantic. You’ve got to move fast, though; their stock sells quickly, especially the seasonal releases and discounted outfits.
On the upside, online fittings are possible, saving you time and money.
| Tip: Best to steer clear of the store on Saturdays when they tend to be packed. |
Missteeq Bridal and evening wear
From missteeq_bridal
Address: 290 Delphinium St, Brackendowns, Alberton
Contact Details: +27 83 339 6889
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 9 am to 4 pm
- Sat – 8 am to 12 pm
Missteeq’s lineup of designer cocktail fits packs some serious variety. The selection has short-fitted, beaded, satin, skate, embroidered, off-the-shoulder, and more styles and cuts than I can name.
Each piece even comes in 2–5 colours, so you’re not just getting black, beige, and white threads. Lisa, the lady at the store, can help you pick the right shades and shapes.
Past that, prices are within Joburg’s standards, the sizing is inclusive, with a 6–24 range, and consultations for custom work last for an hour.
| Tip: Special deals are announced on their Insta. |
Glamourazz
Address: Syringa Place, 29 Smith Ave, De Klerkshof, Edenvale
Contact Details: +27 76 937 0025
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 9 am to 4:30 pm
- Sat – 9 am to 1 pm
Glamourazz is another name that checks the variety box. Seriously, I had a tough time picking; they have cocktail dresses galore, even some for kiddos.
What’s not hard is paying up. When it comes to rental pricing, their rates make sense, as I was able to hire a small gold-frilled cocktail dress for R470 (the lowest I found was R220, but it was too small).
One weak point, though, is the rental-only and book-first setup. This isn’t for you if you want a bespoke piece.
| Tip: You can also snag men’s suits here. |
New Romantics Couture
From new_romantics_couture
Address: 78 Bernard Rd, Bergbron
Contact Details: +27 83 296 5555
Operating Hours: Mon to Sat – 9 am to 5 pm
Every rack at New Romantics Couture features a creative dress in various tones and themes. Think blues, blacks, pinks, glitzy, and even floral.
It’s Nadene Marx’s approach that really caught our eye, though. Beyond her artistry, 20-plus years of experience, and body shape smarts, she makes each client part of the process, focusing on their vision and only adding tweaks if needed.
The service doesn’t end in one consultation either. Post-purchase, you can still enjoy alterations and fittings.
| Tip: Have a look at their catalogue of vids to see the dresses up close. |
Princess Couture
From princess_couture_hanifas
Address: Shop C87, Oriental Plaza, Lilian Ngoyi St, Fordsburg
Contact Details: +27 11 492 2661
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 9 am to 5 pm
- Fri – 9 am to 12 pm, 1:30 pm to 5 pm
- Sat – 9 am to 4 pm
- Sun – 9 am to 3 pm
- Mon – 9 am to 5 pm
Elfida and Lorraine of Princess Couture gave me a royal treatment. Both were friendly, patient, and incredibly helpful, especially when it came to narrowing the options.
That made browsing simple, which is impressive given their seemingly endless options of bridal gowns, bridesmaid attires, ball/matric robes, accessories, and cocktail dresses for all ages and sizes.
In terms of costs, they’re not overblown, though you typically can’t haggle. Waiting for the clearance sales to bring them down is a smart move…unless the cocktail party is scheduled tomorrow.
| Tip: New arrivals are posted on their Insta first. |
