Flattering Cocktail dress for Women

Look Your Stylish Best in an Elegant Cocktail Dress

Summer is here and soon you’ll be getting a horde of invitations to weddings, receptions, and all kinds of parties and reunions. After all, summer is the best time of the year and many people prefer getting married in the months of June or July. Who wouldn’t want to get married when flowers are in full bloom and the days are bright, sunny, and long?

If all that your wardrobe includes is a heap of custom embroidered polo shirts and one lone little black dress for formal events, you need to go on a shopping spree right now. Here is a low-down on everything you need to know about evening or cocktail dresses. Go shopping and purchase one of these styles or if you’re good at sewing, you may even try your hand at crafting one for yourself.

Length

Casual cocktail dresses are usually short in length, reaching the middle of your thighs or calves, depending on the style chosen. They are very feminine, flirtatious, and great for a fun night out.

Formal cocktail dresses, on the other hand, are usually long in length and look very graceful. Floor-length dresses will look fabulous when worn to a formal dinner. They exude opulence and if you’ve always been a fan of the dresses worn by celebrities to red carpet events, you should definitely buy one.

Neckline

You will be able to find dresses with a variety of necklines. A simple rule to follow is the lower the neckline on the front, the higher it should be on the back, and vice versa.

  • If you are feeling courageous, buy a dress with a plunging neckline. But if you know that you won’t feel comfortable in such a dress, it is better to buy something that will allow you to enjoy the party.
  • Alternatively, you can bare some skin in a backless dress. A strapless dress will also be perfect. Choose one with a sweet heart neckline as this style is always a hit.
  • You can also go for an off-shoulder dress or one-sided dress. This one will have a sleeve or a strap over one shoulder and will be strapless on the other side.
  • Asymmetrical necklines are also in vogue these days.

Cut

Hourglass figures look great in fitted dresses. They will enhance your curves and make you look stunning. However, if you are flabby, stay away from fitted dresses as they will expose your unflattering areas. Don’t buy something that doesn’t look good on you even if the design is splendid.

If you are heavier around the upper half of your body, don’t go for dresses that are fluffier at the top and tapering towards the bottom. If you have a pear-shaped body, try a dress that has a swirly skirt so as to not draw attention to your hips.

An empire dress that has an embellished bust will look good on those trying to look fuller around the chest and also on those who want to hide a broad waist.

Choose a dress that accentuates your best features. If you have shapely legs, buy a dress with a side slit. If you want to draw attention to your cleavage, buy a dress with a deep neckline. For shapely arms and shoulders, a strapless or off-the-shoulder dress will be best. Don’t overdo anything. Choosing a dress that shows your cleavage, legs and shoulders might make you look as if you’re trying too hard to get noticed. Highlight any one of your features.

Fabric

Cocktail and evening dresses are made from a range of fabrics to suit formal events.

  • Silk is considered to be the best fabric for such dresses. It is a natural fiber and as such, will be comfortable to wear. The fabric also retains its shape, has a nice luster to it and drapes around the body beautifully.
  • For the feel and look of silk at a reduced price, go for satin. The two fabrics are so similar in appearance that everyone will be left wondering if you have worn real silk or satin.
  • Charmeuse is another fabric that is made from silk and is similar to satin. Be careful to not wring or twist the fabric as doing so can create permanent wrinkles.
  • Georgette has a crinkly texture which makes it unique. This fabric is made from silk and other man-made fibers such as polyester.
  • Chiffon is preferred as it is light-weight, floaty in appearance and drapes excellently. It is made of different fabrics such as silk, polyester, nylon, rayon, and cotton.
  • Taffeta, tulle and organza are also widely used fabrics.

Don’t forget to accessorize appropriately. If you are a duffel bag lover, you will have to manage with a clutch no matter what. Bags with straps are an absolute no at formal dinners. Your choice of shoes needs to be perfect too. Put aside your flip-flops and get into a pair of strappy sandals if you can’t walk gracefully in stilettos.