Undoubtedly, a woman has to work on every part of her body to look attractive. However, at the end it is the dress which if wore properly completes the perfect picture. Of the different aspects of a woman like the hair, or the make up, or the smile, or accessories, it is the lady's outfit that lures and helps gain attention in the crowd. For a party or mutual gathering, a cocktail dress is a must, irrespective of the weather, if its cold weather or some other problem has cropped in.
However, generally women get confused between the dress and the evening cocktail dress, therefore, let us first distinguish the two and clarify this confusion. A cocktail dress is basically meant to be worn to social formal events, such as receptions, office meetings, or social gatherings. Typically, the dresses should not have collars and they come with or without sleeves. The dress is considered to be more elaborate and also more sophisticated than the ordinary dress but it is also less elegant and formal than the usual evening dress.
The benchmark for the cocktail dresses is that they are worn in the events or gathering that begin before evening i.e. before 7 p.m. cocktail dresses are expected to be short till the knee, quite decent, definitely good tailoring and should be of standard quality. These dresses are generally made up of the satin, the velvet ottomans, the stain, the silk or even the lace, means of elegant fabric. Styling in cocktail dress represents elegant and a perfectly feminine look. You should give less importance to the accessories; just a string of pearls will work and add to the beauty. Nowadays, the cocktail dress is addressed for the special events and occasions which make use of the dress code like a family gathering, an office party, reception etc.
Originally, the dress did not cover the knees and it was worn with long gloves, small purses and cigarette boxes. Other accessories used were open toed shoes and socks the same color as the dress. On the head a simple cap was worn. Coco Chanel made a great contribution in the history of the cocktail dresses when they made the vogue in the ’30s with “Little black dress”. The basic idea is the same as the one behind cocktail dresses – simple and always at hand. Thus, little black dresses have become a core objective in any woman’s wardrobe.
Today, the cocktail dress is worn for special occasions that require dress code: a party organized at the office, a family party, a national holiday or a reception. You can wear it out to the casino or to dinner in a restaurant, but do not wear it when going to the club to have some fun. Do not wear it at any picnic or children’s parties.
Cocktail dresses should be short, decent, perfectly tailored and made of good material. The style is elegant and feminine. These aspects should not be neglected. Unlike evening dresses, cocktail dresses are short and without many details. The length is around the knee and is always made of elegant material: satin, velvet ottomans, stain, silk or lace.
Another important aspect is the symmetry of the dress. The more wide and open at the bottom, the more it must be closed at the top, and vice versa.
Red and black are the suitable winter colors, but royal blue and violet can also be worn. The shoulders are covered with a cape, a silk coat, or a bolero.
Shoes and socks must be chosen carefully. The shoes are classic and feminine, without openings and should match the color of the dress. To be avoided are fishnet and opaque socks. The ideal handbag is one with a chain as the handle. It is fitted to wear on your shoulder, without any inconvenience. In size, it must be small, with enough space for you to put your essential things.
A successful combination would be the cape and handbag of the same color and the shoes and cocktail dress of another color. Accessories should be kept to the minimum. A perfect idea for every occasion is a string of pearls.
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