Can a wear a long dress when it says cocktail dress?

[perpetualworrier]

I recently went to my first ever black tie do. I did my research and found that black tie means a long evening dress. I was very pleased to get what's described as a "maxi dress" from Monsoon for £40 in the sale. i.e. it touched my shoes, but doesn't drag on the floor.

Anyway, I now have another do to go to, but this time dress code is black tie for men, but cocktail dresses for women. I was very pleased with the last dress and got lots of compliments and as vast majority of people will be different, I was planning to wear it again. Will it matter that it's not a "cocktail dress"? Can anyone define a cocktail dress for me?

I wouldn't, I'd wear a knee-ish length dress. But that could be as much to do with wanting an excuse for a new dress....

Thank you flowery, guess I'm going shopping.

Can anyone tell me exactly what a cocktail dress is?

I always wear long, but then I have legs like tree trunks.

Cocktail usually means knee-length but a longer length dress, if not too ornate, would be fine.

little black Monsoon dress.

Monsoon are having a mid-season sale by the way...

Of course you can, there are plenty of us that would never were a short dress, me included not a chance no way!!!!!

deppends on formailoty of th long dress
ok
not ok

i wouldn't wear a long dress for a day occasion, only evening.