Can I wear this dress to a cocktail type party?

[IhearyouClemFandango]

https://www.monsoon.co.uk/floral-and-bird-below-knee-dress-5409673254.html

Whaddaya reckon?

The colours are lovely. The pom poms make it more casual but I think it could be workable with some heels, jazzy cardigan and some pretty jewellery!

I'm in the no camp too I'm afraid- I think it looks more of a daytime dress and a bit casual for a cocktail party

It definitely isn't what I'd describe as a cocktail dress, but I think whether it would be ok or not depends on the party.

Is it a cocktail party where the dress code is "cocktail dress" or is it just a party where you'll be drinking cocktails?

<shifts uncomfortably on fence>

Its beautiful but like others said, garden party or holiday more. If you like that boho style, what about these;

I'd wear that to a summer garden party as it's perfect for that occasion. You need something smarter for a cocktail party otherwise you'll look out of place.

https://www.karenmillen.com/petite-organdie-applique-buttoned-woven-midi-dress/BKK07319.html?color=105

This is still floral and Boho looking but definitely more smarter and evening appropriate than the 1st choice. Also available in regular length.

I'd say yes all day long providing it's not a formal party.

I think it’s lovely, wear it if you like it.

It's too casual for me unless at a BBQ or beach type party

I absolutely think you can, but then I seem to live in a much more casual world than MN! I find the same with wedding guest threads - always full of people declaring that things that would be in keeping at every wedding I've ever been to are far too casual. I absolutely don't think this £120 dress is intended as or would be seen as a beach cover-up!

I don't think you live in a different world @Hardbackwriter, it's just that fashion is very subjective

Also, many people just don't care about fashion (as they tell us daily on the s&b boards 😂)

I'd still like to know what a "cocktail party" is. I tend to quite formal dressing- almost always wear dresses and don't own jeans and I think that dress is fine.

It's not a beach dress. Some of the alternative suggestions on here are frightful and fall into the category of dress which often appears on here of cheap or relatively cheap dresses trying desperately hard and failing to be ultra formal wear.

Are dressy 'cocktail parties' still a thing? Do the men need to wear a DJ? I thought they were from my parents era and they'd be centenarians!

I think what makes that dress look 'casual' to some is the daft poses the model is adopting. Imagine someone standing sensibly holding a cocktail glass instead, with something other than tassels by way of jewellery.

But it's not just what I wear and like - clearly subjective - it's that I see no one dressed in the way MN deems 'appropriate' for some events! Though I will concede that some of it is generational - I do see some women at weddings dressed in what is usually touted on here as the universal correct wedding guest clothes, but they are without exception over 60 (and lots of the women over 60 are dressed more casually too!).

Something like this. HTH.

https://www.monsoon.co.uk/stephanie-embellished-dress-blue-54286632.html

I wouldn't choose that Monsoon dress either for a cocktail party.

To me, cocktail parties are evening occasions- so something more evening would be my choice- maybe black or dark colour, or brighter sequinned dress, or satin...?

I’d totally wear that to a cocktail party. Brightly coloured block heels, some statement jewellery, a really good blow dry (possibly even a hair accessory), and a bold red lip. It’s definitely workable IMO.

That's really not a very nice dress.

I'm 63 and many, many of the MN approved dresses and outfits have me rolling my eyes. And I say that as someone who loves clothes, spends a lot of money on clothes, isn't afraid of picking something out of the ordinary and is used to getting compliments about her clothes from work colleagues and random strangers.

The OP hasn't said what the actual event is. I do think some posters have odd ideas about what a "cocktail party" is these days.

Tough one. It is a formal dinner at the end of a conference. Have yet to see the invitation to see what the specified dress code is, but DH tells me that last year (I couldn't go as babysitter fell ill) there was a mixture of what I would class as cocktail dresses (shorter) and black tie type floor lengths. He wore a dinner jacket from memory.

I had wondered about this dress styled in a similar way to the pics with unusual earrings etc...a bit younger and fresher than traditional evening wear.

I am also wondering whether I am just looking for an excuse to buy it cause I love it, so am shoehorning it into this event. 😄

At the other end of the spectrum I have also seen these (am a size 18 hence the plus size):

https://goddiva.co.uk/products/goddiva-bardot-pleated-maxi-dress-royal-blue-1

https://goddiva.co.uk/products/goddiva-plus-sequin-mesh-embroidered-maxi-dress-emerald

https://goddiva.co.uk/products/goddiva-plus-velvet-band-sequin-bodice-maxi-emerald

As you can see, I am a little hectic in my likes/dislikes.

I definitely roll my eyes when people say "too revealing for a wedding" for anything other than a nun's habit 😂

I'm in my thirties so don't think it's an old person thing if that's the ageist thing what you're implying. That dress in the op isn't formal enough for a more formal party imo. I'm not about to tell you you're wrong or even (gasp) old for saying otherwise

If it was plain I’d say yes, it’s too busy

The blue Godiva dress is exactly what I meant by cheap dresses trying to glam up.

An evening event at the end of a (work related?) conference sounds to me not an event which needs floor length faux red carpet dresses. Your first choice is much nicer than this one.

It's too casual for a cocktail party in the usual sense of the phrase. Unless it's very definitely a very boho, creative kind of crowd.

Cocktail dress is generally a shorter dress (midi to knee to mini all fine, but not long) and made a fabric and in a style that you wouldn't go to the beach in.