What Is Casual Cocktail Attaire?
01 Oct 2024
Cocktail style is a fashion trend that originated about 100 years ago. This style is directly related to the concept of “cocktail dress ”, which is considered to be the main outfit option for all kinds of entertaining evenings.
It is a compromise between comfort and luxury. This outfit can be worn to work, and then go to a party in it. The girl will move freely in it and look graceful.
Usually, the hem of the cocktail image reaches the knees or calves. The outfit itself emphasizes the waist and hips, but at the same time does not encircle as tightly as possible. Some things are closed, but with a square or V-shaped neckline, but more often you can meet models that bear the shoulders.
The environment in which cocktail dresses were born can be described as follows. Late 1920s, USA. In a mansion somewhere outside the city guests are having fun, and drinks are flowing - and this is at the height of Prohibition!
Why such a sketch? The explanation is logical: at private parties, like everywhere else, the dress code was observed. Also, the guests usually gathered right after work, and there was no time to pack. The desired thing for any self-respecting party girl was a simple cut dress made of expensive fabric .
French designers who followed the American market quickly realized that they had to rebuild. Thus, little black dresses appeared, Elsa Schiaparelli created functional evening suits with shortened jackets, and Jean Patou offered girls to wear flowing silk sets. What united their works was their elegant versatility: in the outfits, you could go to a party right after work, almost without wasting time on getting ready.
The very expression “cocktail dress” became popular in the 1940s thanks to some fashion brands. At that time, the traditional cocktail attire looked like a short and full-fitting girlish figure dress without a collar and sleeves, also there was no deep neckline on the chest and open back. Such a dress was purchased for various celebrations as well as for informal parties. It was made of expensive, but not the most luxurious materials. In addition to the outfit were open shoes, repeating the color of the tone of the dress, long gloves, small hats, and a mini purse for powder or cigarette case.
It is a compromise between comfort and luxury. This outfit can be worn to work, and then go to a party in it. The girl will move freely in it and look graceful.
Usually, the hem of the cocktail image reaches the knees or calves. The outfit itself emphasizes the waist and hips, but at the same time does not encircle as tightly as possible. Some things are closed, but with a square or V-shaped neckline, but more often you can meet models that bear the shoulders.
The environment in which cocktail dresses were born can be described as follows. Late 1920s, USA. In a mansion somewhere outside the city guests are having fun, and drinks are flowing - and this is at the height of Prohibition!
Why such a sketch? The explanation is logical: at private parties, like everywhere else, the dress code was observed. Also, the guests usually gathered right after work, and there was no time to pack. The desired thing for any self-respecting party girl was a simple cut dress made of expensive fabric .
French designers who followed the American market quickly realized that they had to rebuild. Thus, little black dresses appeared, Elsa Schiaparelli created functional evening suits with shortened jackets, and Jean Patou offered girls to wear flowing silk sets. What united their works was their elegant versatility: in the outfits, you could go to a party right after work, almost without wasting time on getting ready.
The very expression “cocktail dress” became popular in the 1940s thanks to some fashion brands. At that time, the traditional cocktail attire looked like a short and full-fitting girlish figure dress without a collar and sleeves, also there was no deep neckline on the chest and open back. Such a dress was purchased for various celebrations as well as for informal parties. It was made of expensive, but not the most luxurious materials. In addition to the outfit were open shoes, repeating the color of the tone of the dress, long gloves, small hats, and a mini purse for powder or cigarette case.
Little black dress can also be considered a successful variation of cocktail attire. The classic variant of clothing for young people in this style has always been considered a tuxedo. At first, cocktail attire was purchased for dancing at luxurious parties and was a familiar type of clothing for representatives of the elite. A little later it became a classic option for polite social visits and semi-formal evening events. Over time, the cocktail-style dress changed its appearance, new original elements appeared in it, and a variety of fabrics began to be used.
1940s, World War II is underway. There's a catastrophic shortage of fabric. The dress code hasn't disappeared, and you still want to look stylish. Designers have no choice but to sew outfits up to or just below the knees. By the end of the 40s, the dress code had loosened a bit, but the fashion for short outfits remained. European designers were inspired by costume designers. For example, Edith Head created a black cocktail dress and a dark red silk dress for the heroines of the tape “All About Eve”. Both with a lowered shoulder line, brightly defined waist, as well as a light drapery on the skirt. Only six months later, something similar could be found in the closet of any self-respecting housewife. Although suburban girls hardly ever worked in an office, they also threw parties and needed to look their best. In the 1960s, girls went crazy for Holly Golightly's little black outfit from Breakfast at Tiffany's. It was a sharp contrast to the usual images due to the simplicity of the lines, as well as the lack of decoration. And then the girls changed complicated styles to afro or loose hair, sandals to wedges, evening sets to flared pants and jumpsuits. Home solemn dinners and semi-formal meetings were abruptly replaced by noisy disco parties in clubs. At the same time, it cannot be said that casual outfits for special occasions are an anti-trend.
Such images have firmly occupied the evening niche, although their essence remains the same - not to constrain movements, but to help you look your best. Designers understand this and regularly make us remember the cocktail dress code. For this purpose, they flirt with old motifs, bringing something fresh. Today, there is no shame in choosing a cocktail dress for a wedding, graduation, or any other festive occasion. Sometimes invitations specify that the event has a Cocktail Attire dress code. But on Friday parties are welcomed more relaxed outfits, in which it will be comfortable to move. When choosing a thing, it is better to avoid too long or short styles. Focus on a length that ranges from the knees to the bottom of the calves. For formal events like a corporate party or a wedding, dark classic options made of velvet, or heavy silk will be suitable. Ideally, they will have long sleeves, as well as an emphasized waistline. If the celebration will be held outdoors or it is more casual, safely take a summer cocktail dress made of organza, thin silk, or fabric embroidered with sequins. Such images are rarely friends with large accessories. So instead of the usual office bag, it is better to take a clutch or crossbody, and, when choosing shoes, it is worth stopping at loafers or sandals with thin monochrome straps. The same applies to jewelry: less is more.
1940s, World War II is underway. There's a catastrophic shortage of fabric. The dress code hasn't disappeared, and you still want to look stylish. Designers have no choice but to sew outfits up to or just below the knees. By the end of the 40s, the dress code had loosened a bit, but the fashion for short outfits remained. European designers were inspired by costume designers. For example, Edith Head created a black cocktail dress and a dark red silk dress for the heroines of the tape “All About Eve”. Both with a lowered shoulder line, brightly defined waist, as well as a light drapery on the skirt. Only six months later, something similar could be found in the closet of any self-respecting housewife. Although suburban girls hardly ever worked in an office, they also threw parties and needed to look their best. In the 1960s, girls went crazy for Holly Golightly's little black outfit from Breakfast at Tiffany's. It was a sharp contrast to the usual images due to the simplicity of the lines, as well as the lack of decoration. And then the girls changed complicated styles to afro or loose hair, sandals to wedges, evening sets to flared pants and jumpsuits. Home solemn dinners and semi-formal meetings were abruptly replaced by noisy disco parties in clubs. At the same time, it cannot be said that casual outfits for special occasions are an anti-trend.
Such images have firmly occupied the evening niche, although their essence remains the same - not to constrain movements, but to help you look your best. Designers understand this and regularly make us remember the cocktail dress code. For this purpose, they flirt with old motifs, bringing something fresh. Today, there is no shame in choosing a cocktail dress for a wedding, graduation, or any other festive occasion. Sometimes invitations specify that the event has a Cocktail Attire dress code. But on Friday parties are welcomed more relaxed outfits, in which it will be comfortable to move. When choosing a thing, it is better to avoid too long or short styles. Focus on a length that ranges from the knees to the bottom of the calves. For formal events like a corporate party or a wedding, dark classic options made of velvet, or heavy silk will be suitable. Ideally, they will have long sleeves, as well as an emphasized waistline. If the celebration will be held outdoors or it is more casual, safely take a summer cocktail dress made of organza, thin silk, or fabric embroidered with sequins. Such images are rarely friends with large accessories. So instead of the usual office bag, it is better to take a clutch or crossbody, and, when choosing shoes, it is worth stopping at loafers or sandals with thin monochrome straps. The same applies to jewelry: less is more.
How To Dress in Casual Cocktail Attire?
If you were invited to the gala by phone, the evening will obviously be informal. If the invitation was more formal, you'd have to think about the outfit a little longer. Material for sewing an outfit is chosen depending on the season. Wool - for cold seasons, satin, silk, and similar materials - for warm. If the celebration is scheduled for the weekend, it is better to choose for the evening an eye-catching silk or satin dress of attractive colors and stoles of fine fabrics. The style of dress for cocktail evenings should not be too lush, it is better to choose figure-fitting models. The dress may have sequins, sequins, embroidery or delicate lace. As for the length, it should be an average of 10 cm above the knee. However, floor-length dresses are not welcome. When buying an outfit, you need to take into account the age. Slender beauty up to 25 years old can safely choose a dress 15 cm above the knees, bright and with an original cut. From 25 to 35 years old there is no special regulation, but it is not recommended to choose acid colors and minis, not particularly welcome and pompous skirts. Women over 35 years old should opt for dresses of classic style, tone, and length.
The main thing is that it should fit comfortably and please you. But nothing prevents you from visually changing the proportions of your body if you want to. For example, if your hips are wider than your chest, choose an outfit with a deep neckline - so you will visually increase the bust. Or take a dress with a complex drapery to shift the emphasis from the bottom to the top.
For a girl who has a line of shoulders wider than the line of hips, ideal things with a sleeve, wide straps, and narrow long necklines. All these details will help to narrow the top. Want to focus all the attention on the legs - choose images with a basque of current styles. It should not be combined with a pencil skirt or resemble a ruffle. But the overlapping leather basque is almost the main trend of 2023.
Those whose body is folded on the type of “oval” will suit straight-cut dresses, visually pulling out the silhouette. Make sure that such outfits sit clearly on the figure, not fitting or hanging bag. Optimal are also things with an empire waistline or with an A-silhouette. But it is better to refuse from ruffles, jabots, and floral applications. These details do not fit into the cocktail style. In addition, they can visually increase the figure.
If you have an “hourglass” type, try not to violate the natural proportions. To do this, take midi-length dresses - they will emphasize the neckline and hips. To hide the extra volume, take an outfit with a smell, as well as skirts gode - they are also called mermaid tails.
Girls with a “rectangle” type of figure will also have suitcases - they will help to emphasize the waist. You can also choose things with a deep neckline, corsets, or tight large belts. But it is better to forget about free-cut outfits: with them, you will only hide all the advantages of the figure.
The main thing is that it should fit comfortably and please you. But nothing prevents you from visually changing the proportions of your body if you want to. For example, if your hips are wider than your chest, choose an outfit with a deep neckline - so you will visually increase the bust. Or take a dress with a complex drapery to shift the emphasis from the bottom to the top.
For a girl who has a line of shoulders wider than the line of hips, ideal things with a sleeve, wide straps, and narrow long necklines. All these details will help to narrow the top. Want to focus all the attention on the legs - choose images with a basque of current styles. It should not be combined with a pencil skirt or resemble a ruffle. But the overlapping leather basque is almost the main trend of 2023.
Those whose body is folded on the type of “oval” will suit straight-cut dresses, visually pulling out the silhouette. Make sure that such outfits sit clearly on the figure, not fitting or hanging bag. Optimal are also things with an empire waistline or with an A-silhouette. But it is better to refuse from ruffles, jabots, and floral applications. These details do not fit into the cocktail style. In addition, they can visually increase the figure.
If you have an “hourglass” type, try not to violate the natural proportions. To do this, take midi-length dresses - they will emphasize the neckline and hips. To hide the extra volume, take an outfit with a smell, as well as skirts gode - they are also called mermaid tails.
Girls with a “rectangle” type of figure will also have suitcases - they will help to emphasize the waist. You can also choose things with a deep neckline, corsets, or tight large belts. But it is better to forget about free-cut outfits: with them, you will only hide all the advantages of the figure.
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