Skip to Content

The Cocktail Dress Identity Crisis Solved

This post may contain affiliate links*

Content sponsored by Tahari ASL. All opinions are my own.

I suspect my millennial daughters aren’t really sure what a cocktail dress is. Once a formal staple of the wealthy woman’s closet, the cocktail dress faces an identity crisis today. Is it the same thing as a party dress? Is this what you wear to a wedding? If you ask Google what a cocktail dress is, you get a bunch of shopping pages with…dresses. Just dresses. Some are nice enough to wear to a wedding and some are not. What’s the deal?

The cocktail dress has suffered because dress codes for work and play have been losing their formality. The LA Times recently quoted a survey respondent who said, “Dressing up for work continues to go out of style.” And, weddings, too, are trending to the casual side. So most women never wear anything like the full-skirted Christian Dior cocktail fashion of the ’50s. It’s just so rare these days that a girl has the chance to put on a semi-formal dress paired with a hat and gloves.

Today, you may not receive many invitations that specify cocktail attire (or at least I don’t!). Even so, you still may need a nicer dress a few times a year — for evening weddings, work holiday parties, and perhaps the occasional evening opera or other special event. If a standard party dress is too sexy for the occasion, then what you need is modern cocktail dress. And that dress should have:

  • Lining.
  • Heavier weight fabric. Avoid knits or flimsy cotton.
  • Length. You can show your knees, but anything shorter than mid-thigh is pretty aggressive. Also, remember that you can use shoes to create formality with a simple dress — but tall heels don’t work well with short dresses.
  • Texture and/or sheen.
  • Quality construction — look for even, solid stitching.
  • Solid color or floral; avoid geometric patterns.
  • Fit — not too tight or too sexy.

New Cocktail Dress Picks Under $100

Save this

Enter your email below and I'll email this post to you!

The best way to shop for a cocktail dress is by brand. Choose a brand you know fits you well, and then look for sale items. If you’re not sure on the brand, follow the usual drill: hit the mall for try-ons, then double-check the prices online. While you’re shopping, consider the shoes that will pair with your dress picks. For these dressier occasions, I like a delicate strappy sandal. Thin straps with a thin heel and some height.

Following this advice, I jumped over to Tahari ASL to find my picks for the new cocktail dress. As of today, all are on sale and priced below $100.

Dress 1
Belted Blurred Print Fit-And-Flare Twill Dress, $94.95, Tahariasl.com
Classic black pumps complement this dress perfectly. For a little extra sass, choose a tall shoe with an open side.
Dress 2
Capelet Layered Chiffon Dress, $94.95, Tahariasl.com
You don’t always have to bare your shoulders. This floaty, layered chiffon dress flatters by drawing the eye to your upper body.
Dress 3
Fit-And-Flare Crepe Dress, $85.95, Tahariasl.com
Pair this navy number with pearls!
woman wearing black polkadot cocktail dress
Polka Dot Jaquard Print Sheath, $88.95, Tahariasl.com
The neckline and slightly tapered shoulder straps flatter on this sheath dress. Skip the necklace on this one and go for a sparkly crystal bracelet and your favorite pair of evening shoes.
Dress 4
Textured Basketweave Drop-Waist Shift, $62.95, Tahariasl.com
Picture this pink textured, drop waist dress with an updo, drop earrings and a smokey eye.
Dress 5
Belted Sheath Dress, $63.95, Tahariasl.com
This linen aqua dress looks simple, but can easily be dressed up with a statement necklace and the right shoes. You can also soften up the look with a wide scarf worn as a wrap.

Which is your favorite? Share in the comments!

Chris E.

Tuesday 3rd of January 2017

Thank you Catherine! Those short cocktail dress look wonderful!

Catherine Brock

Tuesday 3rd of January 2017

You're welcome! Thanks for stopping by!

sreenadh

Friday 9th of September 2016

cocktail dresses are awesome and there are many brands are available here. we are collecting celebrity dresses which are bueatiful. I wish your collection is going to be very more interesting day by day.

meena

Thursday 4th of August 2016

Lovely Collection :)

Comments are closed.