10 Latest Cocktail Attire Dress Code Ideas || DO's & DON'TS Of Cocktail Attire For Women DECODED

You might want to break the rules or even try something new for a change, but believe me , a cocktail attire is not a good dress code to play around with.You might have broken the rules and regulations but everything is about to change now. If you are a confused mess as to what to wear to your cocktail party then you are at the right place as we have it thoroughly sorted out the Do's And Don'ts of The Elite Dress Code- Cocktail Attire.

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What Does Cocktail Attire Mean?

History Of Cocktail Attire Dress Code / Origin Of Cocktail Attire Dress Code 

Latest Cocktail Attire Dress Code Ideas

 DO's And DON'TS Of Cocktail Attire For Women 

WHAT NOT TO WEAR : ANYTHING SEXY & FLASHY WITH EXTREME HEMLINES

WHAT TO WEAR : TASTEFUL AND UNDERSTATED FESTIVE OUTFITS

A cocktail party is most probably a party that is going to involve your work colleagues and your boss. You don't want to spoil your image and blow everything by showing up in a flashy or way too revealing dress. Cocktail attire for women should mostly be tasteful yet glamorous dresses that aren't over the top. Your options are endless . You can wear dresses with hemlines that fall between mid-thigh and mid-calf. Save floor-length gowns for your wedding parties.

You might be dying to try something out of the ordinary, like picking up an outfit which is trending hot off the runway with its sheer lace and plunging neckline. There is a time and place for everything. Its best t to leave all your tiny , tight and skimpy or over-revealing skirts at home and save it for another night out party with your girl friends.

You can always wear a knee length figure hugging dress with full sleeves and still feel great in it.

WHAT NOT TO WEAR : REVEALING & OUTFITS THAT SHOUT 'TRYING TOO HARD!'

WHAT TO WEAR : VERSATILE DRESSES WITH APPROPRIATE HEMLINES

If the cocktail party invitation is from your workplace, you might want to reconsider wearing your favorite sexy dress to the party for what might look stunning on your figure would be appropriate for an event involving a lot of interacting with work colleagues. The wrong outfit- which might include plunging neckline, backless dress, tube top or a short skirt , can easily make you the subject of unwanted stares and party gossip. Also don't try to dress in a way that would come off like you are trying too hard. You might want to avoid expensive fur vests, of-the-moment-trends like tasseled minis, silk slip in dresses. But also remember not to dress like a nun, just dress appropriately.

If you are perplexed as to what to wear to a cocktail party, given the rules being so strict, you can always play safe and pick up a versatile dress which isn't too revealing.

WHAT NOT TO WEAR: MATERIALS THAT SHOW IMPERFECTIONS

WHAT TO WEAR : PICK AIRY & DIAPHANOUS FABRICS  

A cocktail party means a lot of interacting, walking and moving around. If you are wearing a dress that might crease within the first 30 minutes of wearing it you might as well as look like a woman who jumped out of bed , which is why you need to choose wisely when it comes to a dress. A very tight dress tends to crease the most , its best to avoid squishy and sucked in tight dresses and opt for airy dresses instead. Its best to stick to materials that flatter your body. Pick dresses and skirts in stretchy viscose blends and jersey fabrics as they are the most forgiving, whereas silk will show imperfections.

You want to be able to breathe and look like you have put effort in your dressing. At a cocktail party you are going to be under a more watchful eye , and you definitely do not want to be called into question for your poor choices girl!

WHAT NOT TO WEAR : OVERDOING THE ACCESSORIES

WHAT TO WEAR : RELAX WITH ACCESSORIES

You love jewelry but a cocktail party is not the right place to flaunt all the good in your jewelry collection. Is obvious you want to make a statement but its best to ditch wearing a lot of pieces and settle one one good piece instead. You can wear a statement necklace or shoulder sweeping earrings that can't be worn to work on a normal day. You can wear a studded bracelet or statement earrings as it will add a little sparkle to your whole ensemble.

There is no wrong in adorning yourself with jewellery and if you think you might have just gone a little too far--you can always remove them at the party and stow them in your purse *wink*

WHAT NOT TO WEAR : DRESSES WITH EXCESSIVE CLEAVAGE AND EXPOSED MIDRIFF SHOW

WHAT TO WEAR : DECENT NECKLINES ,MIDI LENGTH DRESSES AND SKIRTS

While you have plenty of options when it comes cocktail attire for women unlike men, its best to stay away from dresses with excessive cleavage and exposed skin show. As being seen in such dresses will cause people t see you in a different light, and mind you there is no going back fro that guys! And if the cocktail party invitation is from your workplace you just really do not want to be remembered as the person who dresses cheaply or sexily!
Dressing appropriately and according to the dress code is the key to successfully being the star at a cocktail party. You don't want to show up to a wedding wearing all white , or an upscale cocktail party in boyfriend jeans and sporty sneakers. There is a time and place of everything.

WHAT NOT TO WEAR : SHEER CLOTHING THAT GIVES WAY TO VISIBLE LINGERIE

WHAT TO WEAR : SHARP OUTFITS WITH SILHOUETTES THAT FEEL SO RIGHT

In order to dress up right and yet not look overdressed we tend to pick something out of the ordinary and choose something inappropriate out of sheer desperation. Or you might have seen the latest runway and fell in love with a dress but your upcoming event being a cocktail party is not the appropriate event to test-drive a nearly naked sheer dress! Building a professional image is already way too hard for us women, let us not blow it in one evening.

You could settle for a sharp tailored suit or even a jumpsuit that hugs you i the right places. It doesn't have to be skin show to to make you feel good.But don't get overdressed, and you certainly don't want to be the girl that is under dressed.If you want to leave a good impression its best to invest in a tailored skirt or good trousers as your best bet is to channel sophisticated.

WHAT NOT TO WEAR : VISIBLE & TOO TIGHT UNDERGARMENTS

WHAT TO WEAR : CHOOSE COMFORTABLE & RIGHT LINGERIE

The right kind of undergarments is the foundation to bringing out the best in an outfit. When our body parts are given the correct kind of support our body also looks good. An important thing to remember when getting dressed is that undergarments are meant to be worn under your clothes so if anyone else can see it, you are wearing the wrong type of lingerie for your outfit. This might actually be the most important rule you might want to consider not breaking when it comes to cocktail attire for women. When you are comfortable in what you are wearing within, then only can you walk and converse comfortable with others in a party. Plus you don't want people staring at bra straps popping out of your outfit, do you?

WHAT NOT TO WEAR : DRAB SHOES & LACKLUSTER FLATS

WHAT TO WEAR :AMAZING PAIR OF COMFORTABLE HEELS

You would be surprised how cringe-worthy sneakers or gym shoes look when paired with a nice suit or a neat dress. Shoes make or break an outfit so put some effort and wear high heels. Trust me you don't want to be seen in flip-flops. You might be a flats person but a cocktail party is all about style and confidence --a great pair of heels can totally get you feeling like you are on cloud 9! Cocktail attire for women is incomplete without a good pair of strappy sandals that go well with your whole outfit. But if you are very afraid of flats you can always wear a good pair of shoes with very little heel like kitten heels as they look great when worn with casual cocktail party attire.
Picking up good heels can be your opportunity to get a little more creative. If you opted for a simple shirt and suit, or a classic LBD , you can go for a stilettos or sky high heels.
Pick among the latest nude sandals, classy slingback heels and strappy sandals in neutral shades of beige, pink and brown perfectly matching your skin tone.

WHAT NOT TO WEAR : HAIR CLIPS & HEADBANDS 

WHAT TO WEAR : BLOW-WAVE HAIR OR A PONYTAIL

Your hair and makeup are the finishing touches of your cocktail attire. If you’re feeling brave , you can blow-wave and style your hair or get it done at the salon , it could be a great way to let your personality shine through. Or if you are blessed with beautiful silky straight here, just tie em back in a high ponytail for the extra oomph. For those who are having a bad hair day can go for a low chignon as it is a safe, easy and never-fail option that works for anyoccasion.. As for the makeup its best to keep it simple or neutral, ditch loud or bold lipsticks. Nude lip shades or mauve-pink shades with simple eye makeup go perfectly with casual cocktail party attire. A bold lipstick in crimson, red or wine is best when worn with cocktail attire for wedding.

WHAT NOT TO WEAR : DRESSES MADE WITH GARMENTS THAT CREASE EASILY

WHAT TO WEAR : IRONED CLOTHES

If the cocktail party is thrown over by your boss or your colleague getting married, it would be very unprofessional to show up in wrinkled clothes. Nothing shouts ' I did not put any effort in my outfit!' than a wrinkled and creased dress. Best to use a steamer or get your outfit ironed before hand Also its best to avoid dresses made from garments like silk and cotton that tend to crease a lot. You don't want to be the odd one out who looks like 'she just rolled out of bed' when attending a sophisticated gathering like a cocktail party.

WHAT NOT TO WEAR : ILL FITTED PANTS OR CASUAL OUTFIT LIKE JEANS

WHAT TO WEAR : COMFORTABLE YET POWERFUL OUTFITS 

Whoever said cocktail parties meant just cocktail dresses? Ladies if you are a pants girl, fret not --from jumpsuits to a finely tailored tuxedo suit , you have plenty of casual cocktail party attire outfits to choose from. You could also choose a dress with pockets as I personally feel any dress with pockets make you feel empowered! Sport a midi dress with pockets or a men's inspired jumpsuit that will leave a lasting impression on all, plus it makes you look immaculate at all times. The best part about wearing pants with a shirt is you can always throw a well fitted blazer or a jacket and gives an impression of smart casual. Cocktail outfit with pants is one great way to feel powerful without having to put a lot of effort while dressing up. Bear in mind that whatever pants you wear , let them be neat and tailored to your shape and size. Last thing you want to be seen in are baggy trousers or oh-so-tight it-can-tear-anytime pants at the cocktail party. You are at a professional party or at a friend's party where you might meet a lot of your colleague's or even your Boss, you don't want to be seen in a pair of jeans or boxy pants!

WHAT NOT TO WEAR : STRAW TOTES &ANIMAL PRINTED HANDBAGS

WHAT TO WEAR : ELEGANT CLUTCH OR  MINAUDIERES

Women might carry the whole word in their handbags and cannot travel anywhere without it, but a cocktail party is not the event to carry something as huge as that favorite straw tote of yours.When it comes to handbags, less is more. Animal printed luxurious handbags or even a pricey carry bag is a big no-no. Pick a purse or a clutch in a smaller size that is good enough to carry your bare essentials and your phone.

Lilly Medium Crystal Minaudiere Clutch, Pink Multi by Marchesa at Neiman Marcus

TIPS AND TRICKS: DO's & DON'TS Of Cocktail Attire For Women DECODED

• Comfort is the key. Period. A lot of talking and walking goes into a cocktail party which is why we warn you to consider the comfort level. A cocktail party is not all about style but socializing too, and if you are having a bad time with your outfit, it is going to affect how enjoyable your evening is.
• Do not wear a dress in which you will end up feeling self-conscious. You will be interacting with a lot of your colleagues and managers....talking to a lot of people at the party ... and you'll have to rise above your outfit.
• This is not your weekend where you can show off your new cutout mini dress. The key would be to play up one important area , either the shoulders, legs or the neckline. One standout feature is more effective and stylish at the same time.
• Skin-show is a big no-no. Avoid showing off too much skin. It could easily be termed as sexy or flashy. Dangerously short skirts and minis are best kept for night clubs , when you go out dancing.
• Do women have it easy when it comes to cocktail attire? No. Plenty of options can be a problem too. Just because you have many options to choose from, don't end up picking an outfit that is a little too revealing or something straight understated.
• As stated by Karl Lagerfeld -- "One is never over-dressed or under-dressed with a Little Black Dress." When in doubt , you can always sport a black shift dress which reaches the knees or just above the knees. To it off with a creative pair of heels to standout from the crowd.
• Black might be a safe option but you can wear other colors that suit your skin tone. Pick outfits in contrasting and complimentary colors.
• Leave your fur coat or leather jacket at home. Las thing you want is people gossiping how you tried to hard to garner attention by sporting an expensive fur jacket over your dress.
• Pick your favorite go-to clutch with your evening cocktail dress. Clutches are the perfect statement accessories that complete your attire by adding a little glamour to your casual smart outfit. Also its the perfect size to stack up all your make up essentials in case you need to retouch.
• If you are wondering what to wear to a cocktail party in winter, you can opt for a long sleeved figure hugging dress, with an appropriate hemline that runs down below the knee. Throw a coat or a sleek blazer over it for more impact.
• If you are in the mood for some trousers, you can choose Cocktail outfits with pants like the sleeveless jumpsuit or a tailored tuxedo.
• Cocktail attire for wedding and cocktail attire for work are two different zones. You need to consider the event purpose, in addition to the time it will be held and the place its being thrown at. Your best friend's wedding will require very different attire than a corporate event or a social party with the so and so of your company.
• Cocktail attire is really about adding a bit of glamour to your individual sense of style. Wearing a metallic belt or carrying a spiked clutch. Just remember to pick everything with utmost consideration and care.