What are they?
Fashion encyclopedias offer a definition for a cocktail dress as a model for special occasions that does not have sleeves or a collar. Summer outfits are made from thinner fabrics: chiffon, silk, organza, while winter ones are made from thick satin and velvet. The colors are usually monochromatic, but different colors are acceptable.
The length of the dress should be knee-length or slightly higher. Such dresses can have an open corset top. There are super mini models, but they are suitable only for slender young ladies and are worn for youth parties.
In the case of a minimum skirt length, the upper part of the outfit should be as closed as possible. In this way, harmony in the image is achieved. The new trendy style of cocktail attire is the mullet. In this product, the front part of the skirt is shortened, and the back part is longer.
Banana outfit
Tanya's figure has one problem - her chest, hips and waist have almost the same volumes. This means that the figure is more like a boy’s: without protruding breasts and a seductive ass. However, this does not stop the other sisters from envying her: Tanya looks good on almost any outfit.
True, she still doesn’t buy tight dresses and A-shaped outfits. But she adores flounces, frills, and draperies, which introduced cocktail dresses with full skirts and wraps into her wardrobe.
As if especially for her, Christian Siriano presented several ballet-style cocktail dresses in his new collection: light, airy, romantic, but elegant enough to be worn by modern women. But she decided on a more “neon” outfit from Christian Dior with a short, voluminous skirt and a clear asymmetry of the bodice.
In what cases are they relevant?
A worthy alternative to a traditional wedding dress is a cocktail option, which has a number of advantages:
- Practicality. Unlike a voluminous, fluffy dress that will hang in your closet for years, a cocktail dress takes up very little space.
- Versatility. After the wedding, you can use the outfit for other special events. Wearing it every time, a woman will remember the wedding.
- Comfortable to wear. The absence of rigid corsets, crinolines, and fluffy flounces makes movement easier. Sitting at the table, getting out of the car, dancing in a cocktail outfit is easy and comfortable.
- It's easier to sell than traditional wedding attire. If the cocktail wedding dress is not white, then it is multifunctional, so you will find a buyer faster.
- Lower cost. A simple cut and fewer decorative elements reduce the cost of the product.
Not only brides, but also bridesmaids and other guests can choose a cocktail option. Depending on the format of the wedding celebration, strict classic dresses in pastel colors or bright dresses with a themed style are available.
If a wedding ceremony is planned, then the shoulders should be covered with a wide scarf, cape, shawl, or bolero. Deep necklines, bright decor, high slits and mini skirts should be abandoned. The head and hair must be covered with a thin scarf.
About Plunge Cocktail Dresses 2021
The V-neck deep neckline is that feminine style detail that is very often found among the collections of fashionable cocktail dresses this season. This element adds delicacy to an elegant product, visually lengthening a woman’s silhouette.
Dresses of this cut transform the figure, emphasizing its sophistication and slimness, and also shift the emphasis to the necessary parts of the body. Also among the collections of fashion designers there are models with a deep neckline, which does not look provocative at all.
A deep neckline in a cocktail dress from the 2021 collection can be veiled with translucent fabric. Thus, the neckline does not lose its boldness and extravagance, however, it is suitable even for those who do not like too extreme neckline.
Style options
The collections of all famous designers feature cocktail dresses for various occasions. They differ in style, material from which they are made, and design.
For the bride
White cocktail dresses allow you to match the solemnity of the moment, but at the same time feel comfortable. Some brides refuse traditional full dresses due to their body shape, for example, when there is a big difference in height or weight between the bride and groom. This option is convenient if immediately after the ceremony the newlyweds go on vacation or the first wedding dance is complex and energetic.
The most popular styles are:
- Sheaths with a straight or slightly flared skirt. The top of the dress can be open, with a corset base or have a deep neckline. Some products are decorated with figured cutouts on the back. To sew cases, dense fabrics are chosen, such as satin, cotton, which retain their shape. If the outfit is intended for a winter wedding, then options from corduroy and jersey are possible. Dresses are decorated with embroidery, guipure inserts, rhinestones and beads.
- For young girls, models with full skirts made of tulle, chiffon, and silk are offered. This outfit looks harmonious in the hot season, emphasizing the beauty of the arms, shoulders and thin waist. The bodice of the dress can be moderately decorated, but the main emphasis is on the full skirt.
- The straight cut guipure version looks luxurious and elegant. Lace can be used only on the bodice or be the main material. The presence of a cover allows you to maintain decency. Lace dresses are suitable for ladies of any age.
- A flared dress with a sun skirt or pleated pleats looks feminine. It is made from flowing fabrics that highlight the beauty of the hips. The neckline can be round, triangular or boat. Both the bodice and the skirt are decorated.
A white cocktail dress for a wedding is often chosen by brides during off-site registration in nature, on a ship, or in historical places. Some girls sew custom-made themed outfits.
For girlfriends
Cocktail attire will also be relevant for bridesmaids. In it, the girl will look elegant, but not too pretentious.
The choice of colors for girlfriends is extensive, but light, delicate shades are preferred. It is better to avoid white and ivory so that the girl is not confused with the bride.
Unlike the bride, bridesmaids should not choose dresses with deep necklines or cutouts in the back. Attention this evening should be focused on the young. A fitted dress with a straight or slightly flared cut made from matte fabrics is optimal. Decoration with lace, embroidery, and satin inserts is allowed. If the ceremony is held in the cold season, then the outfit is complemented with fur or woolen capes, jackets, high boots or ankle boots.
A new tradition that came to us from Europe is the choice of identical outfits for all bridesmaids. Products can have a completely identical style or only one color scheme. Harmonious outfits of bridesmaids will add sophistication to wedding photographs. The bride or bridesmaids can buy or sew custom-made outfits on their own.
For guests
The option of a cocktail dress for a wedding for guests is also optimal. Mothers of young people and other relatives can choose any style of dress that suits the season and style of the holiday. The most suitable option for the mothers of the bride and groom is a case.
For older women, straight or slightly flared dress models allow them to look elegant. Thick, dark-colored fabric will hide figure imperfections, while bright decorative elements will draw attention to the figure’s strengths.
It is better for older ladies to avoid models with a corset bodice. A dress with a medium neckline and an embroidered top looks advantageous. Younger guests can choose bold, open models that do not look provocative. Fashionable removable skirts and short trains made of transparent chiffon or taffeta will create a romantic look for the formal part. After which the upper skirt is removed and does not impede movement.
Cocktail dress for all occasions
Summer party
Summer is approaching, and with it warm summer evenings for dates and parties. And the best outfit for these occasions will be evening cocktail dresses in summer styles. Their main feature is the lightness and sometimes transparency of the fabrics. Silk, chiffon, guipure will create a feeling of lightness. The most saturated colors are suitable: crimson, yellow, purple, blue. The style depends on the image you want to create:
- romantic - A-line silhouette in pastel shades;
- fatal - red tight-fitting model with bare shoulders or neckline;
- confident - a little black sheath dress;
- inspiring - a loose-fitting outfit with patterns or prints.
Corporate party
For a corporate party, a beautiful monochromatic, moderately open, cocktail dress is suitable. This can be a long or short sleeve model. Deep green shades, as well as rich burgundy, look very rich. A velvet outfit in these tones will create a chic look. The length depends on the girl’s height, but it should vary from “just above the knee” to “just below the knee.” A high or low waist also looks very elegant: the choice here depends on your figure. Choose the right accessories: clutch, shoes, earrings, and shine at the party.
Going to the club
Often, girls spend bachelorette parties in nightclubs, celebrate birthdays, or just meet to have fun. You can, of course, wear jeans and a T-shirt, but you can buy a cocktail dress, and it will come in handy more than once. To go to nightlife, choose open, sexy outfits: length just above the knee, A-line or tight-fitting skirt, open shoulders or neckline, and strappy options are also possible. And don’t forget about the peplum: this element looks like it’s on a doll and can hide a small tummy. The colors are often dark and deep: velvet blue, marsala, dark purple. Also relevant for such an event is decorative decoration with rhinestones or sequins, which will shimmer in the light of the spotlights.
Wedding
When getting ready for a wedding, girls usually look at evening and cocktail dresses. But because The wedding celebration usually begins before 19.00, then the second option would be more appropriate. The holiday season plays an important role in choosing an image.
For spring and summer weddings, the outfit should be lighter, lighter or brighter colors: pink, red, yellow, lilac or even metallic colors. You can choose any style. The sheath style was and remains the most universal: it fits almost any figure and looks great in any color, besides, almost every girl has such a model in her wardrobe. And sheath-style mother of the bride dresses are the most popular choice.
The A-line silhouette is often chosen by younger representatives of the fairer sex, especially if the skirt is made of tulle or chiffon - this gives the image a certain childish ease. Complete the outfit with an airy braid or curls and a small heel, and the perfect wedding look is ready. Who knows, maybe you will meet your destiny there.
Cocktail dresses with a full tutu-type skirt are chosen only by fairly daring ladies, but thanks to Carrie Bradshaw, we saw that such an image can even be suitable for going to a wedding. But there are restrictions on the figure: you should not choose a tutu skirt for overweight girls.
Off-the-shoulder dresses look formal and also highlight the bust and show off the shoulders in a sexy way. This evening outfit for a summer wedding will suit an hourglass figure type, as well as girls with broad shoulders. But remember that a bra for such a model needs to be supportive and, best of all, seamless. The larger the bust, the larger the cup should be.
Greek style is popular for both brides and guests of the celebration. We especially love this style of cut among curvy ladies, because such cocktail dresses are always available in large sizes and help hide figure flaws.
For autumn and winter weddings, the brightness of the shades is muted, but red is a universal color, which means it is also suitable for celebrations in cold weather. You can choose the same styles as for summer holidays, the difference will be in the fabrics: for winter, these are denser materials. For example, an A-line silhouette with a tulle skirt is not the best option, but an off-the-shoulder model made of wine-colored velvet is an excellent choice.
Color variations
The undoubted favorite color for wedding celebrations is white. It emphasizes the tenderness and fragility of the bride, looks solemn and elegant. An alternative to classic cocktail dresses is ivory, golden, beige, coffee, light pink. They will give a simple cut product a more festive look and are suitable for girls of different color types.
The intensity of the fabric shade is chosen according to the age of the bride. For young ladies, light or moderately bright outfits are preferred; mature women can safely choose deep, rich tones.
Here are the most popular colors of dresses for brides and guests:
- A bride in a bright red dress will no longer surprise anyone. It is only important to choose the shade of red that best suits the girl.
- Yellow is ideal for summer celebrations and will create a positive mood.
- Delicate peach is suitable for a lady of any age. In combination with soft makeup it will add femininity.
- Turquoise and blue have many shades - from heavenly to rich aqua. This option is optimal for an outdoor ceremony on the shore of a reservoir.
- Elegant ladies choose lilac. A light shade is appropriate for girlfriends’ outfits; dark purple can be chosen by mature ladies.
Taking into account the characteristics of the figure, prints and the presence of shine on the fabric are chosen. For cocktail dresses, a small, almost invisible pattern is allowed. Options made of shiny satin are suitable for slender girls. For plump ladies, it is better to choose matte dresses.
Selection of accessories
The right accessories will help complement the created image. In combination with cocktail dresses for weddings without sleeves, capes, scarves, and boleros look harmonious. If a girl has beautiful hands, then bright massive or shiny bracelets are used. For ladies with full breasts, long beads and chains with pendants that will visually elongate the silhouette are suitable.
Cocktail wedding dresses go well with a veil of medium pomp and length. This accessory will make your look softer. The open top of the outfit allows you to wear long or short gloves. For the bride and guests, the most suitable shoes would be classic closed shoes. They look strict and go well with midi or mini lengths.
The bride does not have to choose white shoes; bright shoes that match the color of the outfit also look interesting. With a simple cut of the dress, the emphasis can be placed on the hairstyle. The curls are decorated with various combs, decorative hairpins and hairpins, artificial or fresh flowers, tiaras or small veils. A small clutch will complete the look.
The cocktail dress option for a wedding is chosen by practical brides. After the ceremony, the outfit can still be used, and its cost is significantly lower than lush robes. The convenience and simplicity of the style will allow the bride to be in the center of the dance floor and not be afraid of damaging the long hem or train.
