Knowing What Cocktail Dresses Should Be Selected for Which Events

Cocktail dresses, which are also referred to as cocktail gowns, are a type of dress typically worn at cocktail parties. Cocktail parties are semi-formal occasions at which drinks, including wine, beer, and mixed drinks, are served.

Cocktail parties are laid back events at which a mixture of guests can be comfortable as they mingle with one another. As such, cocktail parties are the ideal choice for a host or hostess that is interested in inviting a variety of guests that may not be comfortable sitting for several hours at a formal dinner event.

Since cocktail parties are more laid back affairs, many cocktail dresses are similarly laid back. While they are still semi-formal, they are not as elaborate as other types of evening gowns. On the other hand, some cocktail dresses having longer and fuller skirts may be worn at black tie events as well. The appropriateness of certain cocktail dresses for different types of events depends largely on the cut, the general design, and the length of the actual dress.

Cocktail dresses are very versatile dresses and, as such, can come in a variety of lengths. In general, the shortest variety of cocktail dresses is just above the woman’s knee. The longest cocktail dresses are usually tea length, which is approximately two inches above the ankle. In some cases, ballerina length, which touches the ankle, can also be considered a cocktail dress. In most cases, however, a dress of this length would be considered an evening gown.

In most cases, longer cocktail dresses are the better choice for more formal affairs whereas shorter cocktail dresses may be worn for a night on the town or for a semi-formal event. Similarly, the more detail and elaborate the cocktail dress, the more appropriate it is for a black tie affair.