So what exactly IS a cocktail dress?

Email thisPosted Dec 3rd 2006 at 10:44AM by Elise Carter

Filed under: Holiday Style, Accessories, Style in the News, Clothing, Shoes, Dresses

Inevitably, we all want to look amazing for our co-workers at least once a year, and there's no better occasion to "wow" our friends than the annual office holiday bash. But what is appropriate to wear? So many women have asked me this exact question in the past couple of years, and believe it or not, there is a fairly simple answer. So when in doubt, follow these few rules for easy holiday gorgeousness.

1) Buy a dress! I have nothing against skirt and top combos, but seriously, you have two separate pieces to deal with, and then once you add shoes, jewelry, and a jacket -- too many decisions! Stick with a dress, and you'll cut your stress in half.

2) Unless your invitation says "black-tie formal", a knee-length or just below knee-length dress is always appropriate. Look for richer fabrics such as velvet, silk, or stretch satin. Chiffon and lighter fabrics can work as long as they are in season-appropriate colors (think dark, saturated hues).

3) Sleeve length is totally up to you. You can go as bare as strapless, or as covered as full-length sleeves. As long as you like the dress and feel comfortable, you are going to look fabulous in any type of sleeve.

4) Bring a long coat, preferably in a black or in a print that picks up on the color of your dress. If you don't have a coat or would rather wear an item you don't have to check at the door, try a wrap. Wraps come in cashmere, silk, fur (real and faux), velvet, and just about any other fabric combo you could imagine. The best thing about wraps is that they can be twisted and pinned (with a pretty brooch) in limitless combinations. You can disguise almost all "lumps and bumps" with a cleverly placed wrap.

5) Sheer black or nude hose (Hanes' "Barely Black" are foolproof) work with almost any type of dress. If you want to be a little more daring, or are wearing a shorter dress, opaque tights can be a trendy look, but beware, as any opaque stocking tends to dress down a cocktail look.

6) You can wear open or closed-toed shoes with your cocktail dress. If you go with an open-toed option, make sure that your hosiery are made without the telling toe seam.

7) Try to match your necklace to the neckline of your dress. For example, if you are wearing a deep-v neckline, try a necklace with a simple drop. This ensures that you flatter (but don't take away from) your dress.

8) Have fun! Confidence is universally beautiful. Have fun and know you look great, because you do!

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James 12-07-2006 @ 7:47AM

I guess only women go to "cocktail attire" company parties. Or did those instructions apply to men as well??

bill wood 12-07-2006 @ 9:07AM

The dress for us men: Bring a fat wallet for the blood sucking, money hungry, females that know how to bend over and flash their cleavage, lift their skirt, and tell the dumb ass how smart and cleaver he is ... we fall for it every time.

Gayle 12-07-2006 @ 9:40AM

Wow, Bill - what company do you work for and how does a busty young thing like myself get a job there?? LOL

Jessica 12-07-2006 @ 9:46AM

In response to James, men have it much easier than women do. You can wear any suit, tie combo to a cocktail party (even the same one you wore to work) and look dashing.

lori 12-07-2006 @ 9:52AM

I SELL LIPCOLOR THAT DOES NOT COME OFF UNTIL YOU TAKE IT OFF!!
IF YOU ARE GONG TO HOLIDAY PARTIES OR TRAVELING, YOU NEED THIS.
CHECK IT OUT...!!
WWW.LALALIPS.COM

Paul 12-07-2006 @ 9:58AM

I am guessing that most of the heterosexual female co-workers that you are encouraging to look amazing and "wow" their friends at the office are either single or in non-mongamous relationships with male partners, who, unless they work for the same company, will NOT be present. Question: While their female partners are flashing flesh, e.g., full arms, backs, collar bones, breast/cleavage, toes, calfs, knees, thighs [when sitting], what is the male partner allowed to do at his party while completely covering all of his flesh?

jade 12-07-2006 @ 11:33AM

A bit bitter Bill? Who peed in your cheerios?

Patrick W. Crabtree 12-07-2006 @ 11:44AM

In your article, you folks said, "Wraps come in cashmere, silk, fur (real and faux), velvet, and just about any other fabric combo you could imagine." Well, haven't you all heard that recommending the wearing of murdered animals will get you into BIG public relations trouble? Yes, you tried being sly about it by sticking in parenthesis, but the do-gooders at PETA are going to be all over you. They say, "death is never in style". As for me, I'd wear a dead 'possum.

Chris 12-07-2006 @ 11:45AM

black hose? How 80's....black hose also makes legs look thicker...so if you have thicker calves stay away from the black hosiery, best to go with a nude or sheer for a more slimming effect on the legs. Black normally is slimming, but not with hosiery. I also think I would steer clear of strapless for a work related cocktail party. Also, just in case, be cautious of any "cocktail" dress that happens to show off tattoos if you have them, although might be fun in other circumstances, not appropriate for office gatherings either.

Brad Seeley 12-07-2006 @ 11:54AM

Hey what are the guys suppose to wear. Nobody wears a suit anymore. Suits are for semi-formal, weddings and funerals. And a for a tie, I would like to see women wear one around there neck all night and see how comfortable they feel.

doris thompson 12-07-2006 @ 12:01PM

COCKTAIL ATTIRE DEPENDS ON THE HOUR. IF YOU HAVE AN INVITATION THAT IS FROM 6PM TO MIDNIGHT--WELL THAT IS
DIFFERENT FROM A COCKTAIL BRUNCH. THE MOST SECURE DRESS
IS WHAT LOOKS GOOD ON YOU--LONG, SHORT OR WITH RUFFLES.
A SIMPLE BLACK DRESS WITH A COCKTAIL JACKET IS VERY
GOOD --YOU ARE ALWAYS DRESSED WELL. WHAT MAKES YOU SHINE IS
WHAT YOU SHOULD WEAR.

RICK 12-07-2006 @ 12:10PM

The one time of year that a ladie will be able to really show off at the office is now. Ladies take advantage of this. Having the right look will increase your "stock". This is definitely NOT the time to dress down. Simple elegance is the order of the day. You may just meet your next significant other.

Mary 12-07-2006 @ 12:11PM

OK, maybe I'm a little younger than the writer of this article...or maybe just a little more hip...but I'm in advertising and WE DON'T WEAR PANTYHOSE!!! EVER! It's much more "stylish" to go bear. Get yourself a great sunless tanner (not the orange color kind) and let your legs speak for themselves! Hose only take away from your fab dress. And whoever heard of wearing hose with open toed shoes??? I'm 38 (not exactly a spring chicken) and I think my grandmother wrote this article. Wake up Grams!

Pamela 12-07-2006 @ 12:28PM

Hey, Mary--I'm a few years older than you and I can assure you, this bare leg thing is NOT flattering! In fact, the typo "bear" in your post is entirely appropriate. Only a few women (girls, really) have the legs to go bare--hose fixes a myriad of leg problems from blemishes to "five o'clock shadow" to knobby knees to weird ankles. Not to mention that stockings (as opposed to panty hose) are VERY sexy for one's significant other (or just to give you that extra "flair" because you know you have them on). And panty hose can be very slimming--something that most of us who are 30+ can take advantage of.

Leah 12-07-2006 @ 12:30PM

The retarded comment "BILL" made still has me laughing out loud. Hey Bill, is it the women's fault that MEN are stupid enough to "fall for it everytime"?? Instead of making the nasty comments directed toward women, try being a little less gullible and superficial. You might just find a woman that likes you for you. (If that's even possible with your sarcastic personality!) And of course I'm sure BILL has no idea that MEN use women just as frequently, DUH.

Leigh 12-07-2006 @ 12:35PM

Bill, Ask your doctor for some haldol. It is a medication that helps with paranoia and delusion.

Chris 12-07-2006 @ 12:55PM

I agree Pamela, I'm in the same age group as Mary and I find the bare (bear LOL) look very unattractive and unprofessional in an office setting. I'm surprised that being in advertising someone could/would do that. Many offices have dress codes and require some type of hosiery to be worn. If I went to advertise with an agency and someone wore a business suit with bare legs, they had damn well better be some great legs (again, maybe 21 year olds), but most don't have those type of legs and hosiery makes all the difference. Yes they do make hose for open toe shoes...look for the sheer toe types of hose. They do make a "spray" on hosiery, but it's messy takes forever to dry and still rubs off on your clothes or any furniture you might sit on. Even those sunless tanners, still leaves residue on chairs.

For the guys...nothing beats some of the stylish blazers out here right now especially at the holidays. You can get some nice crushed velvet blazers (not the cheesy kind from the 80's...) with a few layered shirts underneath it. Very stylish and attractive, and some of the nice zip up sweaters......just don't do the buttons on your shirt opened down to your belly button with chest hair and gold chain look ...PLEASE, I BEG YOU...don't do that!

Jami 12-07-2006 @ 12:56PM

Hey, Brad~I'll trade my women's high heeled shoes for your men's neck tie any day! ;-)

Ruth 12-07-2006 @ 12:56PM

Hey Mary, this is your Grams here! I'm a very young, emphasis on the young, 65 year old. I don't know what ad agency you work for, and I really don't care how hip you think you are, go bare legged in 20 degrees and you'll freeze your tush off! Weather doesn't play favorites with age! Maybe we just have a little more sense than you! If you wear the right kind, color of hosiery, nobody is going to notice whether you've got them on or not! A great pedicure helps take of that! Along with a great personality! Make sure you're a "wearing" a nice smile, that'll get you noticed before anything else!

Nancy 12-07-2006 @ 12:57PM

Mary, dear - I hope your job does not involve writing copy or editing.

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