A cocktail dress is a semi-formal, mid-length dress that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. It was popularized in the 1920s and the “little black dress” is a classic example. Audrey Hepburn’s dress in Breakfast at Tiffany’s is an iconic image. Certain features, such as sequins and plunging necklines, make a dress inherently formal.
Sometimes referred to as a “party dress,” a cocktail dress is a mid-length, semi-formal dress often chosen for evenings out. Although the style of the dress itself emerged during the 1920s, contemporary fashion designer Christian Dior is credited with coining the name. The classic “little black dress” defined by Coco Chanel is a type of cocktail dress, and is often touted as a must-have accessory for any woman’s wardrobe. One of the most iconic images of this type of clothing in popular culture is the one worn by Audrey Hepburn in the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
Most cocktail dresses can be dressed up or down depending on the items they are paired with. One of the benefits of these dresses is their suitability for both a professional setting during the day and a social outing at night. During the day, women can wear cocktail dresses paired with fitted blazers or jackets, creating a conservative outfit suitable for an office setting. At night, the same dress can be worn to a lounge or club when paired with statement accessories or the most often worn footwear with high heels. Boots can also be worn with a cocktail dress if they are fitted rather than loose or chunky.
Although the cocktail dress is known for its versatility, there are certain types of dresses that are inherently formal or elegant and difficult to disguise. These are distinguished by features such as sequins, satin, halter necks, bubble skirts, beading, and plunging necklines. There are also certain styles of dresses that can be too casual depending on the event, such as button-front dresses, jumper-style straps, or dresses worn layered over shirts.
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