Wedding dress "cocktail attire"

[FriendofDorothy]

I have worn this dress to a wedding and felt absolutely lovely in it. The second part of the wedding is in the USA and they have specified 'cocktail attire'.

Would this dress still be appropriate?

https://joanieclothing.com/celia-birtwell-x-joanie-queen-of-the-night-angel-sleeve-floral-print-maxi-dress.html

I'm American and I would say how formal cocktail attire needs to be depends heavily on time of day and venue. If it's evening and in a very fancy hotel, restaurant or club, you might feel a bit casual. Any other scenario, I think it's absolutely fine.

They can call that a cocktail dress, but I call that work wear.

This is the sort of thing I might wear with a “cocktail” dress code. Not sure the polyester fabric would be great in a very hot environment but shape looks flattering and the navy is quite versatile.
https://www.phase-eight.com/product/claudette-frill-dress-222328351.html#q=Swing%20dress&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=222328351&pos=51

When I drink cocktails I'm usually abroad by a pool so maybe you should wear a bikini

I really like this! I think it would be perfect for a US cocktail-attire wedding. Shame I'm way past the 'weddings phase' of my social life...

Agree. In fact I don’t think it’s smart enough for work, let alone cocktails.

Maybe this will help OP. This is from the US version of Brides magazine with last year’s recommended ‘17 best cocktail dresses for wedding guests’ so it gives you an indication of how US weddings are more evening dress style than English garden party:

https://www.brides.com/best-cocktail-dresses-for-wedding-guests-4802516

Cocktail means dressy but not too formal. It’s an in-between place and it doesn’t dictate length. American weddings tend to be dressier than the UK.

Your dress is erring on the side of too casual imo.

What a nasty comment. I’m 35 and I would wear this. People have different tastes and I think this is lovely. Definitely too dressy for every day when paired with heels, hair up, earrings etc.

I do think it might not be evening-y enough for a cocktail party though.

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/simara-ombre-midi-10008800600.html#gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-rTUrL2yjQMVO6VQBh20UB_bEAAYBCAAEgLAYvD_BwE&gbraid=0AAAAADumyC8R8xOnoZryIVSEh9tyP3lnr&gad_campaignid=22497832201&gad_source=1&utm_term=occasion%20dresses&utm_content=nb&utm_campaign=22497832201&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&cgid=occasion&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=10008800600&pos=12https://www.phase-eight.com/product/simara-ombre-dress-10008480408.html#gbraid=0AAAAADumyC8R8xOnoZryIVSEh9tyP3lnr&gad_campaignid=22497832201&gad_source=1&utm_term=&utm_content=nb&utm_campaign=22497832201&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&cgid=occasion&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=10008480408&pos=30

It's too dressy for everyday, definitely suitable for a wedding. I don't usually like angel sleeves but they're fine here because of the Celia Birtwell 1960s70s vibe.

Whilst it's all subjective of all the dresses posted it's the only 1, apart from my own 2, that I'd wear.

www.montiqueclothing.com.au/products/skye-black-cocktail-dress

It isn't what I picture in my mind when someone says 'cocktail dress' however I think you would be fine wearing this OP. I prefer it to some of the other suggestions , one of them looks far more corporate than cocktail dress but just my opinion. Yours could be dressed up or down.

To me , a cocktail dress would be more plain, classy looking and more fitted, think LBD or a dark navy. Elegant colours

I've never been to an American wedding, so I'm of no help. But I've been eyeing this up for a wedding in the UK. I love the shape and sleeves and it's very me but I wondered whether it's posh enough for a family wedding somehow.

Yes it is.

All those synthetic fabrics would be hideous in warm weather. I'd rather be comfortable in cotton or linen even if it didn't quite fit the dress code.

I am 5'3" and it came to about ankle length. I did wear it with Birkenstocks to walk home and it didn't drag on the floor. I reckon it would be fine.

It's a gorgeous dress and reduced at the moment :)

It's a super flattering dress and easy to dress up.

What time of day and what type of venue @FriendofDorothy?

sorry it is not a cocktail dress
Can you pick something the same cut in a glitzier fabric
Like this but you probably do not want a shein dress

https://www.shein.co.uk/ark/4311?goodsid=55788643&test=5051&urlfrom=sheingoogleukadplaENAudience120320240619&scene=1&pf=google&adtype=DPA&language=en&siteuid=uk&landingpageid=4311&adtestid=8955&requestId=olw-4p3zyo6hxnvg&cid=21330962544&gadsource=1&skucode=I817is2nape1&coloration=1&onelink=0/googlefeeduk&gadcampaignid=21330962544&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjOeCpfGyjQMVAJhQBh3LMhvfEAQYASABEgJpMPDBwE&gbraid=0AAAAADm0yO5btlSoIvqejNgUF7iAL1Bl3&setid=160249314702&currency=GBP&lang=en

I would rather attend the wedding wearing a bin bag than shop at Shein :)

Hotel - 11am wedding.

As I said you probably do not want a shein dress - I was Illustrating a point about dress shape

Are you going to say about about any of the other dresses op or are you going to wear your dress?

Joannie is very polarizing- you either think it is retro witty or just weird, but either way it does not meet the cocktail brief- unless fancy dress "Abigail's party" in which case go for it

I think people have linked to some really nice dresses, and some that I really dislike. I had a little read of the article someone linked to and it seems to me that there is such a variety in how people interpret the dress code. So whilst a maxi floral length dress might not be the sharp cocktail look some people think is appropriate, it is unlikely to be a glaring error.

It is also tricky because I know what the bridesmaids are wearing, and so many of the dresses I like would look like I was trying to be part of the bridal party!

I think I will probably wear my dress because I love it so much and I felt beautiful in it.

However, I have also spotted this one which I quite like... www.vinted.co.uk/items/6337482968-classy-scarlett-and-jo?referrer=catalog