Research is the key to dressing for a cocktail party.
If you are unfamiliar with cocktail parties, trying to dress for one can be very difficult. When it comes to dressing for cocktail parties, there is a lot of etiquette that is not necessarily common knowledge. It is helpful to prepare for a cocktail party properly so you do not feel under- or overdressed when you arrive. Does this Spark an idea?
Preparation
The trickiest part of dressing for a cocktail party is determining how casual or formal you need to dress. In this case, study the invitation. A lot can be learned by the formality of the invitation, the party's location, and the hours of the party. If the location is a high-class establishment, it is likely that it the dress will be more formal. If it is held outside or at a friend's house, the attire may be casual. Also, if the cocktail party is in the evening, it is most likely more formal than if it is in the afternoon. The invitation may even have direct instructions on dress, such as "black tie optional," or "business casual."
Men
If the cocktail party is formal, men are expected to dress as they would for any formal event. A suit and tie are probably the best bet, but a tie is absolutely necessary. The most common color for a formal dress code is black, or at least dark colors, although this can change, depending on what colors are seasonable for menswear.
If the cocktail party is casual, still dress in a professional manner. It is advised not to wear jeans to a cocktail party, although a button down shirt and khakis with no tie is acceptable. If you are uncertain of whether or not to wear a jacket and tie, bring one with you and leave it in the car or in the coatroom. It never hurts to be prepared.
Women
Women have many options when it comes to dressing for a cocktail party. For a formal party, there are many cocktail-style dresses available that are dressier and are perfect for this kind of event. If you are uncertain, a basic "little black dress" is always a safe choice and will work almost anywhere. Dress the look up or down, depending on the type of accessories you wear.
If you are attending a casual cocktail party or a business themed cocktail party, a business suit or dress slacks often work best. Also consider wearing a simple, more professional dress. If you are uncertain how dressy your outfit should be, bring a suit coat that matches your outfit in case you need to dress your look up a bit.
Tags: cocktail party, dressing cocktail, dressing cocktail party, casual cocktail, casual cocktail party