Do you Know the difference?
Cocktail dresses, formal gowns and black tie looks.
–Know the difference.
Do people still go to cocktail parties? You do if you work for the federal government in Washington DC. People with jobs at agencies, NGOs and consulting firms do the cocktail party circuit every night. High profile business events are also places where you’ll see cocktail dresses—at award ceremonies and tradeshow parties. And if you are millennial-age, your social schedule is packed with weddings, showers, and rehearsal dinners. My cousin in 2023 alone, had 10 weddings and all the related parties. For all these occasions, the dresses are different. Let’s start with the cocktail dress.
What to wear to a cocktail party
Typically, a short dress is the look. If the event is work related, women often show up in whatever they wore to work. That is a mistake, especially in today’s typical casual work attire.
You want to stand out, and there’s no better way to accomplish that than to wear something that says “I dressed for the occasion.” It shows your respect for those who invited you.
So, whether it’s cocktails followed by dinner or cocktails to celebrate a special occasion, you’ll want to wear something that shows off your best assets (not boobs), and that fits both the season and the occasions. Here’s some looks we love…
All of these looks are unique. The Nox Cocktail Dress with short skirt and spaghetti straps is ideal for a rehearsal dinner or a more formal event. If you’ve got the legs and the shoulders to pull this off, go for it. This one definitely calls for a cosmopolitan. The Jordan Dress is a Floral Mikado with a jewel neckline and a midi-length skirt, perfect for the office cocktail party. It’s modest but definitely shows that you dressed for the occasion. Finally, we give you a little black dress that is truly a knock-out. The Nox Tulle Dress has an embroidered lace bodice and spaghetti straps with a flattering v-neckline. The corset design on top is very “in” right now.
What sets the cocktail dress apart? From the sleek, sultry little black dress to the flirty bejeweled number with the swingy skirt, to the modest floral, mid-calf design, dressing up is back, and the cocktail dress is a staple, especially for young consumers whose social calendars call for a closet full of dresses.
Formal dresses find the spotlight
Weddings typically state up front if formal dress is required. For women, that typically means a long gown. If, however, you have only this occasion for a long gown and would prefer to wear a cocktail dress, find one that is formal and honors the event.
What’s hot now? The shapes and styles of formal dresses run the gamut, from mermaid shapes to ball gowns. No matter what you choose, remember that you can have the dress fitted so that it works on your body. Let’s start with glamour. Our Jovani beaded gown is long and sleek. The bodice makes the most of your bust line—revealing without being too much. This dress has just the right mix of glitter and a hint of transparency at the bottom. Gorgeous.
Were you blessed with shapely legs? Our Fitted Sleeveless Gown combines elegant simplicity, a leg revealing slit, and a simple sweetheart bodice with spaghetti straps. Best of all is the color. This comes in emerald green, hot pick, and soft lavender.
Do you simply prefer a formal dress with a shorter skirt? No worries; there are no hard and fast rules as to the length of the skirt. It all about standing out with the right look (just to be clear, that doesn’t mean going as Cat Woman.)
One of the hottest colors is, of course, red. And our Jovani Red Strapless Fit and Flare dress is a show stopper. The tulle fabric is covered with lacy embroidered detail. This red stunner will stand out on the dance floor, draw attention from across the room, and work for any dressy occasion. Pair with black high heel sandals or a fancy pump.
The right look for black tie events
What’s a black-tie occasion? Some would say a Hollywood award ceremony is a good example. True, but if you can’t afford Yves St. Laurent, here are some looks that could pass at the Oscars, but for a lot less.
The Dolla Nox Black-One Shoulder Gown hits all the marks for formality and grace. What distinguishes this mermaid-style gown is the full ruffle sitting atop the shoulder. It provides a dramatic accent that gives the simple lines a dressy signature. Some would say a Hollywood award ceremony is a good example. True, but if you can’t afford Yves St. Laurent, here are some looks that could pass at any black tie event, but for a lot less.
If you prefer a more classic look, we recommend our Nox Lavender Gown. The skirt is flowy and features a slit to show off one long leg. The color is accented with a see-through at the waist corset bodice. And the lacy fabric gives a dressy look to the beautiful sweetheart neckline.
If it’s a ball, wear a ballgown. Here is a dress that makes every women look like a sophisticated princess (think Princess Kate). The Jovani Blue Ball Gown has an embroidered, lace fitted bodice and open back. Stunning lace appliques tumbles down the full, multicolored tulle skirt. This dress competes with any red carpet, designer look.
Find your dream outfit here at La Jolie MLN
La Jolie MLN is noted for our cocktail, formal and black-tie dresses. No matter how you plan to celebrate, we offer a fabulous array of looks and accessories in a range of prices.
