A cocktail dress is the ideal combination of style, class, and comfort: made to make a striking impression at any semi-formal event. Whether it’s a homecoming event, high school reunion, or a holiday party, there is a lot to take into consideration when deciding what kind of cocktail dress you should buy and how you can keep it appropriate for the event you’re going to. We’re here to walk you through everything you need to know as you start to look for the perfect cocktail dress for your next occasion.
Let’s start shopping!
Step 1: Determine Your Budget
Don’t you hate it when you find the dress of your dreams but happens to be way out of your budget? Us too. For most, budget is one of the most important determining factors when buying the dress of your dreams. When you begin your search for a cocktail dress for your next event, we recommend having an ideal budget you want to spend in mind. That way you don’t fall in love with a cocktail dress that’s really out of our budget. Pro Tip: Don’t forget about shoes, accessories, or anything else you’ll need to buy to complete your perfect cocktail dress outfit.
Step 2: Know Your Body Type
Whether you have an hourglass or a pear shape, never forget that every body type is unique and beautiful in its own way. With this in mind, not all cocktail dresses will fit you the same way. As you begin your shopping, consider looking for a dress that was made to complement your silhouette and accentuate your natural beauty. This can help you narrow your options and find a dress that works well for you.
Step 3: Looking for The Perfect Material
One thing to consider when shopping for a cocktail dress for your next celebration is where you live, what time of year it is, and if your event is during the day or at night. If you’re attending a fall or winter event, you may want to look for a cocktail dress that’s made with a heavier fabric such as velvet. If you sweat easily, you should probably stay away from silk materials. Keeping the material in mind can help you find the dress of your dreams and be comfortable with what you’re wearing for the whole event!
Step 4: What Colors Or Patterns Do You Love To Hate?
Why waste your time shopping for dresses with colors or patterns you just aren’t feeling? Consider filtering your searching by eliminating certain colors or patterns to help make your shopping experience easy and more enjoyable! If you’re obsessed with a particular color, you can also get straight to shopping for your favorite color selections.
Step 5: Let’s Start Shopping!
Now the real fun can begin! Now that you’ve taken the time to consider what kind of material you want, your body type, and everything in between, you can start to narrow down your search for the perfect cocktail dress. Start saving and bookmarking your items so you can come back to them at the end of your search. Even if you aren’t set on a style, you never know how you’ll feel after taking another look later!
Step 6: Inspect The Hemline
Now that you have your most loved list of cocktail dresses, it’s time to consider length. The standard length for a cocktail dress is usually above the knee, something to keep in mind if you are looking for a dress and you’re on the taller side. When you’re wearing a cocktail dress, you want to feel secure, comfortable, and put together. You don’t want to have to worry about a dress being too short at your event.
Step 7: Fall In Love With Your Dress Choice
When you find the one you love, you’ll know. If you can envision yourself feeling beautiful and having the time of your life in a cocktail dress of your choice, it’s time to pull the trigger and place your order!
Step 8: Complete The Look With Accessories
Once you’ve picked your cocktail dress, you can now use your remaining budget to find the perfect accessories to finish the look. Whether you’re looking for an edgy choker or a radiant pair of earrings, you’ll want to make sure you order in time to try to style it to perfection with your new cocktail dress. If you believe your dress will look better on its own without any accessories, finish it off with a strappy heel or chunky pump to complete the look.