Doll Up in a Neat Cocktail Dress

Have spunk, a good persona and the much-coveted invite to the most happening party in town in the evening? Pondering over your attire for the eve? Well, here is a solution- a pretty cocktail dress to add a seasoned dash to your personality!





A cocktail dress can be worn to an evening party for a casual or a semi-formal occasion. It is a sprightly mosaic of fun, mischief, elegance and youth, all at the same time! It is at times confused with the evening gown category that consists of ankle length dresses of a more formal appeal.





The occasion and its description are important factors for identifying the right cocktail dress to be worn. They can be as short as knee-length or above the knee dresses to as long as right up to the ankle dresses.





A cocktail dress can be worn to a number a occasions like prom, homecoming, wine tasting event, launch parties, graduation parties, private barbeque parties, high tea, lounge events, cruise events etc. Each of these events has a different tinge to them and hence the cocktail dresses have to convey the right mood and suit the event!





For a simple cocktail party, a dress could be hinging a little on the formal call. A classic black or white dress in suede or silk could make a pretty picture.





A cruise dress could be informal or a sequined black dress that will add to the oomph quotient and look regale at the same time. A pleated dress which gives away an era gone by is also in vogue.





A graduation event calls for a charming appeal and what better than a short sleeve printed cocktail dress could do the requisite amount of justice to it? A high waist leather or suede dress can trigger off a special classy look and catch the gaze of those few coveted eyeballs in college!





Prom night is one of the most awaited events of the entire year. A year-book picture in the picture perfect prom dress is the dream of every teen in college. The best way to doll up for this event is to shed off the inhibitions and create your own style! A long or short black silk-blend open back dress can sure win you the prom queen title! For a little out of the box dressing style, a prom event calls for an asymmetric neck bandage dress.





Wine tasting events are rather semi-formal and a splash of the elite could help you a permanent place in the invitee list of the celebs. A chic yet tasteful cocktail dress is the trick to win you the attention of the high and mighty celebs in town.





Private Barbeque parties are intimate events where you can unwind with friends and like-minded people. A fringe cocktail dress or a bubble dress completely suits the occasion and also makes you feel comfortable in your own skin due to the fabric and the design pattern.





No party can deny an entry to long legged lass wearing a pretty denim panel mini dress that speaks volumes of the trendy outlook of the individual! A pearl blue mini dress teamed up with the right accessories and shoes is must have in your personal wardrobe if you indulge in a lot of cocktail parties!





Cocktail parties are an excuse to express what is best suited to your body style and carry it off with utmost ease and elegance. What matters is the right fabric, pattern and design of the beautiful cocktail dress! How you use it defines your personality!

Your Guide to Social Invitation Dress Codes - What to Wear to Your Special Event

It seems to be more and more confusing to decide what to wear to parties these days. There are multiple terms meaning the same thing being used on invitations. This duplication leads to many gray areas when it comes to what you really should wear to your event.

Here is a quick reference guide to dress code implications for social events listed in the order of informal to formal. I follow this with a quick glance at what constitutes a tuxedo and separates a ball gown from an evening gown.

Casual - This means use your own good judgement. Keep in mind; it never hurts to look a step better than everyone else! Please avoid cliches like Santa ties and reindeer antlers!

Dressy Casual goes along the same lines as business casual but maybe a touch more formal. A nice button down or collared shirt for a man will step it a pair of nice jeans. SO will a sport coat. Some folks say jeans are not appropriate but I think they are fine if they are dark washed, dress jeans. Shorts are definitely not appropriate.

Business Casual - Men should wear a sport coat and slacks, no suit is required. Women should also wear something other than a suit. Dresses or dress slacks with a sweater work well. The overall theme is that you should be neatly dressed and professional in appearance.

Cocktail Attire - Remember, the word cocktail implies fun so try not to dress in your work uniform. Something less than formal but more than business is required. For women this means short, elegant dresses for her and dark suits for him. Elegance and sophistication will give you a step up when you wear a dress. Keep away from flash and glitz, instead go simple and streamlined. Typically, cocktail-wear is knee length, though if you are wearing a simple straight skirt, you can wear a longer hemline. If slacks are your choice, combine them with a sleek and sexy top. Silk blouses or cashmere sweaters will dress up your slacks. With pants or a skirt, be careful to avoid looking like you are going to a business meeting.

Semi-formal - This is the sketchiest of all dress codes. Women can wear a dress, pant suit or dress suit. Great fabrics for women's semi-formal attire are the luxurious fabrics of silk, velvet and cashmere. Usually, anything silky goes. Dresses can be cocktail dresses, no more than an inch above the knee, or they can extend to the ankle. For men, this usually means that tuxes are not required. A wedding scheduled for after 6 PM still requires dark suits for the gent, and a cocktail or short elegant dress for her. Daytime semi-formal events mean a suit for him and an appropriate short dress or dressy suit for her.

Creative Black Tie - You have the latitude to create your own look. A trendy interpretation will combine a tuxedo with a black or colored shirt and no tie. Fashion trends can sometimes dictate that various color selections for the pants and jacket of the tuxedo are appropriate, She can wear a short or long dress or maybe a long skirt with sequins or lace trim and combine it with a lightweight cashmere sweater.

Black Tie Invited - This means that you don't necessarily need to wear a tuxedo, but it does let you know that the event is indeed a formal affair. A dark suit and tie is another option. Women should wear long dresses, cocktail gowns cut to the shin or combine separates that are festive and glitzy.

Semi Formal Dress - For women, semi formal mean anything from a dressy business suit to a cocktail dress and never a ball gown. The golden rule of the semi formal dress: keep the hemline to the knees or lower, but never touch the ground. Men will wear dark suit and tie or dress slacks and nice shirt with blazer/ jacket.

Black Tie Optional -This indicates that men should wear a dark suit and tie or use the option of wearing their tuxedo. The darker the suit color, the better. Black, dark gray, super deep navy. Your shirt/tie should not be playful or made with crazy patterns, to follow the theme of black tie seriousness. I found a great quote online about this, and although appears tongue in cheek it does include a waft of reality: "Black tie optional" is passive aggressive. It means, "If you don't think we are worth going to the trouble of wearing a tux, we won't kick you out, but are we really asking too much that you dress up nicely for once?!"

Formal - This is usually the same Black Tie. In more fashion-forward cities like LA or New York, it could also be interpreted as a black shirt worn without a tie and combined with a tuxedo. Women have more latitude to wear cocktail gowns, floor length dresses, or evening separates.

Informal will often mean the same thing as casual. If this invitation is associated with a wedding or other special event, you should at least step it up a notch with a dress for her or a nice shirt and pair of slacks for him would be considered informal. Make sure you show respect for the event.

Black Tie - This means formal all the way. While men should wear tuxedos, women will wear cocktail, long dresses or dressy evening separates.

Ultra-formal = White Tie - So why don't they just say white tie? Perhaps because many are confused about what white tie actually is! Men will wear full tuxedos; women will wear long ballroom gowns. Floor length gowns are a requirement.

White Tie - This is even more formal than black tie. It is ultra-formal with men in full tuxedo, with white tie, vest and shirt. Women should absolutely wear long ball gowns and not an evening gown.

For Your Reference:

A Typical tuxedo combination will include:

A Black Short Coat

Black Cummerbund

Black Bow Tie

White Dress Shirt

Black Pants

Black Dress Shoes, typically in patent leather

Ball Gowns versus Evening Gowns

A ball gown is typically worn with hoop skirts or a petticoat. These gowns are generally created using velvet, taffeta or silk and modest coverage on top. An evening gown is floor length and typically cut closer to the body and does not use petticoats or hoops. The evening gown also typically shows more bust line and might be strapless or have small spaghetti straps.

Kathi Burns, CPO is a Board Certified Professional Organizer and Image Consultant and author of Master Your Muck. Kathi has been featured by Good Morning America, CBN, Better Homes and Gardens and is the organizing expert for FOX 5 and NBC 7/39 News in San Diego.

Her website is known for it's straightforward organizing advice and simple solutions for home and business. AddSpaceToYourLife.com is also a powerful resource for wardrobe, image and time management challenges.

Kathi's new book, How to Master Your Muck, is filled with illuminating stories and empowering methods designed to teach us that growth requires space. Muck sabotages creative expression. It acts as a roadblock to our success. Muck blocks our ability to be free. Kathi's tips, sidebars, and action steps train us to release what no longer serves us and to create space for inspired living.

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Rieker Sandals - This Summers Must Have

Your wardrobe is incomplete if you do not have a pair of summer sandals. Rieker sandals for women and men are comfortable, stylish and a great choice for the summer. Sandals from Rieker are inspired by European style which is focused primarily on comfortThese sandals are especially designed so that your feet remain happy throughout the day. Their sandals provide anti stress sole. Many people are satisfied with the Rieker sandals. Sandals from Rieker are durable and last for many years.. Their sandals are light in weight and when you slip into it you feel as if you are walking barefoot.Rieker is one of the popular footwear brands that produce footwear for both men and women for many years. Rieker makes different variety of sandals like casual and semi-dress shoes for women. Their designs are artistic as well as original. They are even flexible and cushioned properly. Their anti-stress footwear is designed properly and is roomy, light as well as flexible. The regina sandal from Rieker is the best summer sandal along with the attractive detailing over the straps. There are 2 Velcro straps which are adjustable one across foot and other at the heel. For your whole day comfort this Rieker sandal has anti-stress sole. Their stunning ruby leather sandal is one of the best sellers. This sandal has attractive feature made of leather or synthetic uppers. Its heel is lower than 35 mm; this means it is definitely comfortable for this summer.An attractive sandal from Rieker is the best solution for a comfortable summer holiday. With pretty detailing over it the sandal looks gorgeous alongside the perfect summer outfit. Since Rieker footwear are anti stress, it is also known as one of the comfortable shoes in the market. These comfortable sandals with a round toe are perfect for summer. These sandals come with a Velcro strap which is hole-punched along with upper detailing. These sandals are perfect for summer parties which will take you right from the day until night in a perfect transition. Simple leather footwear from Rieker will take you through this summer comfortably and stylishly and their strappy sandals are best alternatives for high heels in special occasions.Look through the collection of Rieker and you can find the right Rieker sandals to suit you in whatever style you like. One of the best ways to look for these sandals is by going online. Without leaving the comforts of your house you just need to order the best one. There are many online stores that offer a variety of Rieker sandals for women as well as men in different designs and colors. If you are planning to buy a pair of these sandals, then there are number of option to choose from. Apart from the sandals these online stores even stock Rieker boots as well as shoes. Take the advantage of this great choice to find your perfect Rieker sandals today.

Semi Formal Dresses - Your Buying Guide

When you are planning on attending a special event or occasion, having a wide selection of semi formal dresses will help you to find the dress that will fit the occasion, but reflect your personal style and design tastes. Finding the gown that will enhance your body and give you the ability to participate as a guest comfortably will be factors that should be considered carefully when you are choosing your dress.

The dress that you select should fit your body comfortably. If you are planning on a heavier fabric, such as satin, you will want to select a style that is designed for your body type. In addition, it is important to remember that there are different types of satin and if you will be sitting for a part of the evening, getting a satin/polyester mix will give you the beautiful look of satin, but will not wrinkle when you sit. This is also important if you are planning on wearing a fitted dress that will be belted.

If you prefer a fabric that may cause itching, getting a lined dress will make the time you are wearing it much more comfortable. This is especially true when tulle is being used in the gown. Tulle can add a whimsical look to a semi-formal dress and provide more structure to a bodice or skirt. A person with large hips will look slimmer if they avoid tulle or stiff fabrics in their dress.

People who want to create or maintain a signature style, will often choose classic lines in their gown so that it can be easily adapted using accessories that will set it apart from other dresses. When you are choosing specific themes or colors for your dress, it is important to select the colors that enhance your coloring and body structure.

It will be important that the clothing you select is appropriate for the season and theme of the event you are attending. When a dress is chosen for an event that will take place out of doors or in the winter, it will be a good idea to find a matching wrap at the same time to complement the dress. This will help you to avoid the need to do last minute shopping and the stress of looking for an appropriate wrap to match the color and design of the dress.

Many semi formal dresses are designed with the need for a warm cover in mind and when you invest in the dress, there will normally be accessories that match the color and design available at the same location where you find the dress. Taking your time to find the perfect dress will give you an opportunity to find the complementary accessories at the same time. It is important that, when you are investing in a special dress, you do not feel rushed or hurried when you are making your selection.

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Casual Dress for Women

Women have a vast range of options to choose from, as far as clothes and accessories are concerned. Women are not restricted to trousers or jeans, and can experiment with many different outfits and still manage to pull off the look they want. What is casual dressing for a woman has no predetermined boundaries and can be constantly revised. There are many events where you may be asked to appear in dressy casual attire. Some examples of such events are class or school reunions, semi-formal dinners with friends or family, art gallery exhibitions, casual weddings, etc. so prepare a casual dress as your new years outfit is a necessary.Casual Dress in the WorkplaceAn increasing number of companies are ditching stuffy, workplace attire and reinstating a more fun, casual style of business dress. For those companies, "casual Fridays" are every day, and while employees are still expected to wear clothes that are semi-professional, they have more freedom to dress outside of the black business suit and conservative shoes combo. For women, this means casual, yet semi-conservative dresses like wrap dresses, loose-fitting summer dresses that don't show too much cleavage or leg linen pants and casual short-sleeve collar-shirts on hot summer days. Some companies allow jeans and casual tops on their "casual" days as well, and even sneakers can be allowed. Casual Street DressRegardless if women are going to the mall, shopping along street boutiques, strolling through the park or sifting through books at a bookstore, women have a variety of opportunities to implore casual dress. Jeans can range from skinny to baggy, and shoes can range from sneakers to chic flats to casual boots.Casual Dress at PartiesWomen can also dress casually at parties and wear casual dresses as opposed to super-short cocktail dresses or mini-dresses. This depends on the type of party or the nature of a club, but for women who don't feel like getting dolled up and are attending parties or clubs that don't have strict dress codes, this can be acceptable. Women can also wear fitted or skinny jeans with fitted tops and low heels to these types of clubs and parties as well.Casual dress gives women the opportunity to be fashionable and comfortable at the same time. It allows them to not get caught up on appearances or take too much time deciding what to wear for various occasions. Within reason, in any situation, a woman can make her style of dress more casual even in workplace or semi-formal settings.

Explore the World of Cheap Semi Formal Dresses

The variety available and the popularity of formal dresses are huge because these dresses are a blend of all the fashion trends available in casual and in formal attires. These dresses which are neither completely casual nor very formal which makes them very wearable and thus makes them very popular. These take some points from both the styles. These dresses are a reflection of the chic, modern and elegant look and when one can get cheap semi formal dresses, these are simply the best.

There are many occasions when these dresses can be worn. As a large number of these dresses are needed it is always a great idea to look for cheap semi formal dresses. There are many occasions like dinners, business dinners, birthday party, conference meetings, social gathering etc where these cheap semi formal dresses look great. By cheap we do not mean low in quality. Cheap semi formal dresses are the ones which look as great as the expensive ones but are available at lower costs.

Cheap semi formal dresses can be combined with the matching accessories and they create an absolutely stunning look which gives a new dimension to the confidence of the person wearing them.

When one buys cheap semi formal dresses they are overwhelmed with the price they save and this glow on the face adds to the beauty of the dresses. Women have a huge variety available in this section like skirts, trousers, dresses etc. the only thing that needs to be seen is that the dress which is chosen suits the personality of the wearer.

There are many options available to men when it comes to semi formal clothes. They can wear suits which are very elegant to look at. The fabric of this can be used as per the choice of the wearer. Men can combine jeans with shirts and formal shoes to get the best look for the evening party. Stylish belts also add on to the casual look that creates the perfect look.

Apart from the popular options there is no dearth of options when one wants a casual look. The options are available in terms of colours, styles, prints and designs. These can suit the tastes and preferences of all the people wearing them. There is something available for all when it comes to this kind of dressing. One can look smart and elegant and not too formal with this clothing, which makes them wearable.

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How To Make A Mother-Of-The-Bride Dress Perfect For A Summer Wedding

Every wedding starts with the simple goal of being a joyous occasion for everybody involved. Wedding advice is everywhere. However, picking a mother-of-the-bride dress can quickly become contentious if some basic issues aren't addressed properly.

Know Her Taste

While it is tempting to let the mother-of-the bride handle her own dress, having a discussion with her saves a lot of hassle as the big day approaches. Grab a pen, paper and a catalog or pull up a website with several selections. Set aside some time to sit with her and find out what styles she likes.

Choose A Dress That Flatters

Find a dress flattering to her size and shape and taste. Dresses can be found to match nearly any body type from sleek and sexy to flattering and slimming. A compromise may have to be made, but remember she is the one who has to it wear it at the wedding.

Tone Of The Wedding

Any dress should match the tone of the wedding. The three general wedding themes are causal, semi-formal or formal. A summer wedding generally means a more casual tone. The mother-of-the-bride dress should match the tone of the wedding. Shorter dresses are usually common at summer weddings. The dress the mother-of-the-bride wears should match her personal style, but also be comfortable in terms of wear and personal style.

Age Appropriate

Dress her in a style that is age appropriate. Sure, it's great to have a fun, young hip wedding. That doesn't mean you choose a dress that's going to make the bride's mother feel uncomfortable. A good idea is to make the dress practical too. This means choosing a dress that can be worn on other occasions other than a wedding. On the other hand, don't force matronly dresses on her just because she's a mother. Let her decide what she feels comfortable wearing.

Neckline And Length

Mother-of-the-bride dresses today aren't your mother's mother-of-the-bride dresses. The neckline, length and style vary widely. It doesn't have to match the bride's dress in terms of basic style, but shouldn't overshadow it either. Necklines include a simple u-neck, sexy v-neck or an elegant higher neckline. When choosing the neckline, consider what type of jeweler she will be wearing. The length of the dress can range from just below the knee to floor length. A summer wedding generally means a shorter dress, but gauge your choice on the tone of the wedding.

Price And Other Considerations

The price of a mother-of-the-bride dress varies from around $80 to nearly $200. Ultimately, it will depend on the style and type of design. When considering the price, allow a little more for any accessories that may be necessary such as a purse, jacket or wrap.

Choosing Accessories

Choose accessories that match the location. If it is an outdoor wedding, sensible shoes and possibly a light jacket and a hat may be included to create the finished look. If it is an indoor wedding, there can be more flexibility in dress style, length and accessories.

Final Considerations

Take time to find out what the mother-of-the-bride has in mind. Remember, it is a big event for her too. Choose accessories that are practical and comfortable. For example, when selecting shoes keep in mind that she will have to wear these shoes as she walks around and mingles with the guests.