Cocktail dresses-a practical guide

What is a cocktail dress?

A cocktail dress is a type of elegant creation with a semi-formal character. It is usually found in knee-length or mid-calf length. Nowadays, it is more difficult to clearly define what creations fall within specific dress codes, as these boundaries are constantly blurring. To understand this process, let's first review a brief history of cocktail dresses.

History of cocktail dresses

Back in Victorian times ,elegant women's dresses were divided into those for dinner and evening, or ball gowns. The former had already gone out of fashion by the beginning of the 20th century . They were replaced by dresses worn for a drink before an evening meal. This type of creation, filling the space between everyday dress and very elegant dress for larger celebrations, became especially popular after the Great Depression, when more modest cocktail parties were more common than grand balls. The 1920s and 1930s were a time when this type of dresses became particularly popular. But it wasn't until Christian Dior in 1948, releasing his groundbreaking "New Look" collection, that he came up with the name "cocktail dress." In his vision, it was a dress fitted at the waist, with a full flared bottom. Over time, designers gave such creations different forms. Today, a cocktail dress can be either a pencil little black dress or an airy floral dress with ruffles.

Different styles of cocktail dresses

Given that cocktail dresses are less formal than evening dresses, they more often come in knee-length or mid-calf lengths. Nowadays, however, this is not the rule. You can meet dresses of this type also in maxi length. As for the cuts, the most common will be creations with an emphasized waist, but also with a trapezoidal or oversize cut. The classic flared cut is just as popular as the pencil cut, with a fitted bottom. Airy cocktail creations are also triumphant. As for the top of the models, they can be strapless dresses, but also strapless, sleeveless, short-sleeved, but also long-sleeved. All kinds of necklines are acceptable. Fabrics can be uniform in color or multicolored. How then to distinguish a cocktail dress from others? Such a creation will generally be distinguished by an elegant, good quality fabric. It can be an airy material like chiffon, or it can be taffeta, satin or velour. There are many possibilities. Having also a choice of a beach dress, a knitted everyday dress or a ball gown, you are sure to perfectly point out which one is the cocktail dress. Trust your intuition in this case. The multitude of designs and colors of such dresses only works to your advantage. The more choice you have, the easier it will be to choose the perfect creation for your figure and temperament.

How to choose the perfect cocktail dress?

When buying a dress, it is very important for every woman that it emphasizes the assets of the figure, and masks any flaws. Therefore, when choosing the perfect cocktail dress, you should know your figure type in order to choose the right cut. Remember that the most important thing is that the creation should beautifully balance your proportions and divert attention from those parts of your figure that you are not fond of.

Cut vs. body types

If you have proportionate shoulders to hips and a well-defined waist, you have an hourglass figure. Any cut of dresswill fit you , and especially beautifully emphasize your figure elegant pencil dress. For ladies with slim legs, narrow hips and a fuller belly, we recommend other cuts. Such a figure, sometimes compared to an apple, will look best in trapeze creations. Pay attention that the outfit should reach the knees at most, because such legs need to be shown! In case you have a pear figure, that is, your shoulders and waist are narrow, but your hips are fuller, bet on flareddresses, preferably with a collar. Pay special attention to taffeta models in the style of the 50s, while if your figure resembles a column, you do not have a waistline, choose oversized creations. Dresses with frills will also work. Taking into account your assets, as well as the shortcomings of your figure, you can experiment with both necklines, sleeve lengths, as well as prints on the fabric. Fortunately, this type of dress allows you to do a lot and is not subject to such restrictions as evening, prom or work dresses.

How to choose the right color?

When considering the color of a cocktail dress, take into account both the occasion for which you want to wear it, your beauty type and your temperament. Remember that for some events, such as a wedding, certain colors are not desirable. White and related shades are reserved for brides. Black is not always welcome. It is safest to bet on other colors. Familiarize yourself with the trends and match the shade to your beauty. This will give you the confidence that your skin will be radiant and you will look phenomenal!

What fabric will be the best?

The material from which the dress is sewn is extremely important. For summer occasions, choose lighter fabrics. Chiffons or silks will work great. For cooler season events, for example, bet on velvet or velour. Taffeta, lace and sequin fabrics work fantastically in cocktail dresses. You can decide on the one that best suits your preferences. Nowadays there are many fabrics to choose from, so you should pay attention to ensure that the material is not only visually beautiful, suitable for the season. The most important thing is that it should fit beautifully on the figure, but also that it should be durable and relatively easy to maintain for a long time. You can bet on natural fabrics, but also, for example, on airy and durable viscose or fabric blends.

What to wear with a cocktail dress?

To give your styling an individual and unique character, it will be necessary to choose the right accessories. In the case of cocktail dresses, they are all the more important, because for the occasions to which you wear them, it is appropriate to wear not only elegant shoes, but also jewelry, and to stock a suitable elegant handbag.

Earrings, a necklace and a bracelet are sure to add glamour and elegance. However, remember to choose finer jewelry for more elegant parties, always matching the style of the outfit, but also your complexion. The safest bet is silver or gold, which will go well with any color of dress.

As for footwear, you can bet on classic stilettos or pumps on a post. In the summer, elegant sandals or ballerinas will also work. You can choose footwear in the color scheme of the creation, but also bet on a neutral flesh color or black. If you like to experiment with colors - shoes in a contrasting color to the dress can also look good.

A handbag is a must have for any elegant cocktail styling. It is not only an accessory that complements the look, but a practical accessory in which you will stash the most necessary things during the party. Opt for small envelope or minaudiere models.

For what occasions to wear cocktail dresses?

Cocktail dresses certainly work well for such occasions as weddings, first communion parties or less formal banquets. You can wear such a creation to a company Christmas Eve, unless it is exceptionally formal and there is a more elegant dress code. It will also work well for birthdays or name days with family or friends. A bachelorette party or an after-wedding party is also a great opportunity to show up in a cocktail dress. You can also go to the theater or on a date in it. The number of situations in which you will find such a dress useful is countless, so it is worth investing in a beautiful, good quality creation, perfectly suited to your figure, beauty and temperament, which you will be able to wear more than once. Therefore, the quality of the fabric and workmanship of the dress is so important. In the case of such elegant creations, this is doubly important, because in elegant situations, the high quality of the base will immediately add even more chic to the styling. You are then assured of creating a WOW effect every time in such a dress!

Cocktail dresses 2023 - the latest trends

If you want to look not only elegant and beautiful, but also fashionable, get acquainted with the latest trends for cocktail dresses. Shiny fabrics reign supreme this season. Any metallized ornaments, sequins, crystals, but also simply silver or gold fabric will work. The latter colors are especially fashionable in 2023. However, if you don't like sparkles, you can bet on intense colors such as fuchsia or cobalt. For lovers of more subdued colors, there will also be interesting pastel shades of blue, pink or purple. It is worth looking at the proposals for models made of shaded fabrics - ombre. Prints in large flowers or less defined color mixes are also in vogue. If you prefer timeless and uniform colors, you can smuggle a fashionable twist into your creation in a different way. Opt for attractive cut elements that are currently on trend. These could be, for example, transparent chiffon sleeves or asymmetrical slanted lines. As for cuts and fabrics, the most fashionable this year are 50s-style taffeta flared creations, as well as airy chiffon dresses. You are sure to choose the trend that suits you best. However, if you don't like novelties, don't worry, the classics are always on trend and you can choose a cut and color that is universal and will always work. For example, a pencil dress in your favorite pastel color or, always elegant, black.

How to take care of an elegant dress for semi-formal occasions, so that it remains beautiful for a long time?

There is no single recipe for how to take care of such a creation. Different fabric compositions require different treatment. If you are in the habit of cutting out labels and washing recipes, in the case of a high-quality cocktail creation, make sure to note the manufacturer's instructions for caring for this piece of clothing. It is very important to clean such a dress according to the stated rules. Otherwise, you may simply ruin it. A creation that is properly cleaned and ironed will certainly keep its perfect appearance for a long time and will be able to serve you more than once. It is also worth making a habit of packing such dresses in covers before storing them in the closet. This will reduce the possibility of accidental damage to the fabric by a hanger, a zipper from another outfit or by pets. It's also easier to transport a dress packed in this way if you'll only be dressing in it at the venue, which, for example, often happens for weddings on the other side of the country.

Where to buy unique cocktail dresses?

If you are wondering where to buy beautiful cocktail creations get acquainted with the offer of the Polish fashion brand Poza at https://sklep.poza.pl/en/. A wide selection of cuts and designs will allow you to choose the perfect cocktail dress for your chosen occasion, which is sure to stay with you for a long time.