Where to Wear a Cocktail Dress: The Art of Cocktail Attire

Style is an art form. It may not always seem like it, but your style is a labor of self-expression. Whether it's through muted tones or a symphony of colors, fashion allows you to exercise your inner creativity, but like any other artistic medium, there are rules to fashion. Just as certain paints require certain brushes, every outfit has an appropriate setting. Joggers can be stylish, but they're not fitting for an office environment, nor would a funeral be the proper venue for you to show off that new mini dress with the kaleidoscopic paisley pattern. The cocktail dress is no exception. This staple in women's fashion is perfect for a myriad of different events, and while you may have to adhere to a certain style etiquette, the cocktail dress can still accommodate your unique flair.  

What is Cocktail Attire

When an event calls for cocktail attire, it is expected that men will wear dark suits and ties while women wear dresses with hemlines that end at the knee. The cocktail dress, as it is appropriately named, is a timeless design that gained popularity during the late 1940’s thanks to French designers such as Christian Dior and Jacques Fath. This knee-length dress’ tight waist and full skirt followed the natural curve of the female shape and flattered a woman’s silhouette. Traditionally, the proper length of a cocktail dress should fall below your fingertips while your arms are at rest, however, this rule has become a grey area as the style has evolved over the last century. No matter the specifics of the style, cocktail attire should be semi-formal—it exists in the space between the casualness of work or streetwear and the elegance of eveningwear. Cocktail parties are elegant but lighthearted and cocktail party wear should reflect this sentiment.

When to wear a Cocktail Dress

The cocktail party is a casual affair of American origins. Originally, the event was defined by the serving of cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, but in the post-modern era, a cocktail party is an overarching term that refers to a number of celebratory occasions. If the event is being held in the late afternoon or early evening, it is safe to assume that you’ll be expected to arrive wearing a cocktail dress. A helpful trick is to consider happy hour at a bar. Happy hour, also conventionally referred to as cocktail hour by hotels and restaurants, ranges from 3pm to 6pm. If the event falls somewhere within this window of time, it is most likely a cocktail party.

Where to Wear a Cocktail Dress

The cocktail dress’ versatility makes it an essential addition to any woman’s wardrobe. It’s dressier than work wear, yet more casual than formal wear, and can serve many uses; however, as pliable as it may be, this style doesn’t fit every social function. The rules of cocktail attire have grown somewhat ambiguous since its inception, but a cocktail dress remains a semi-formal garment. As fundamental as it is to know when to wear a cocktail dress, knowing where to wear one is equally as important.

Office Party

An office party is an excellent venue to wear a cocktail dress. It gives you an opportunity to shake out of that traditional tea dress and express yourself a little more. If you’re attending a holiday office party, the silk or velvet fabric of cocktail glamour attire will really fit the festive mood. Remember, cocktail dresses can be on the playful side, but they’re still modest. You can enjoy a bit of freedom amongst your co-workers without compromising your reputation for professionalism.

Wedding

Weddings are elegant and often extravagant events, but they’re easy to dress for—assuming it’s not your wedding. If you’re not the one walking the aisle, you can expect to be dressed in cocktail attire. Every wedding is unique and whether you’re sitting in a church or outside, a cocktail dress allows you to adapt to whatever setting in which the occasion takes place. The knee-length hemline will also prove useful on the dancefloor.

Charity Gala

The charity gala is a dressier affair that calls for a formal dress code. Gala cocktail attire is as close to black tie as cocktail parties get, so dress accordingly. You can definitely enjoy some of the more exclusive fabrics or patterns reserved for more formal events, but a charity gala is the perfect opportunity for you to unveil a little black dress. Every woman should have an “LBD.” Its sleek hemline falls right at the knee and compliments the subtle curves of your body with ease. Simply put, you will look beautiful. This is truly one of those dresses where less is more.

Dinner Celebration

If your daughter is graduating, your brother is getting engaged, or you’re just showing off your cooking skills, cocktail buffet attire is an easy choice for dinner parties. Traditionally, guests tend to arrive in the early evening—before the sun sets—to mingle and enjoy a drink or two before sitting down for dinner. These are timeless celebrations that may last into the night and weaving through guests for hours would be exhausting in formal evening wear. A cocktail dress with a relaxed pattern will keep you comfortable and stylish into the night.

Prom

Its funny to look back on, but prom is a big night. It’s always a night full of dancing, first romances, and sometimes, awkward encounters. A cocktail dress is easily the best suited style for this event because of its effervescent nature. Prom is often the first taste of adulthood for a lot of teens and there’s something magical about that. Your daughter will get to enjoy the fun of dressing up for an enchanting night, while holding on to the light-hearted nature of youth in a bright cocktail dress adorned in glitter.

Cocktail Attire for Men and Women: Tips

Cocktail attire may be malleable, but there are still rules to the style. It’s important to know how to dress for a cocktail party. Before you buy your next cocktail dress, consider a few tips.

Women

Mind your measurements

When choosing a cocktail dress, consider what compliments you. Everyone’s body is different, which means that some lengths or styles are more flattering on us than others. Cocktail dresses are traditionally fitted through the waist with a full skirt. However, as fashion has changed over the decades, so have the standards of cocktail attire. Whatever your body type, finding creative cocktail cuts for you are easier than ever. To learn more about different body types, take a look at our size guide.

Avoid gowns

The casual nature of cocktail parties means that evening gowns and maxi dresses are out. You don’t want to have any fabric dragging behind you. Simple changes to the length are permissible, but the dress should still fall within the limits of a midi dress.

Accessorize wisely

Be mindful of the accessories you choose to pair with your dress. Cocktail attire is simple, and your jewelry should be as well. Cocktail attire thrives on simplicity, so stay away from large jewelry with precious stones and large purses.  Alternatively, keep a small clutch with you and only wear one neck piece that will compliment your dress by itself. You can also add a single bracelet or ring, but remember, you’re looking for simplicity—less is more.

Cover your undergarments

It should go without saying that your bra straps should remain unseen. If your cocktail dress has thin straps or none at all, consider wearing a strapless or stick-on bra. The peek out bra may have its place in more casual venues, but a cocktail party is not one of those places.

Men

When planning to attend a cocktail party, you may decide to bring a date with you, so it may be useful to know what your man should wear to a semi-formal event. Fortunately, men’s cocktail attire hasn’t changed much in the last few decades. Men should wear a dark suit with a tie. Black, slate grey, or a deep navy blue are all acceptable colors for a cocktail party suit, but it should be well tailored. This is not an occasion for skinny fit suits or high-water trousers. Avoid wearing tennis shoes or sneakers. This may be a look that is in season, but cocktail attire demands the dress of a classic man. He should wear pair of oxfords, or laced cap-toe shoes.

Fashion is an art form—it comes in all cuts and styles—and it often stands as a representation of who we are as wearers, but fashion also requires an understanding of proper etiquette. This notion rings true even for the most flexible of dresses. A cocktail dress can come in many cuts and colors, but that doesn’t mean this knee-length dress is appropriate for every occasion. This is why it’s necessary to know when and where to wear a cocktail dress, and how to style it. Find your next favorite cocktail dress of this season at tadashishoji.com.