Cocktail dress

[MegGriffin]

Hello. I have been invited to a cocktail party at someones house but it has dress code black tie/cocktail dress. I have never been to one before. What is a cocktail dress? Is it the sort of thing you might wear if you went out in formal dress or is there something specific to the material or length? Please help me!

as far as I'm aware it just means not floor-length - ie ankle-length upwards

someone else may know better

I think people just use it to get people to dress up

Thanks ShutUp. I have no idea about such things (although I wish I did).

smart but not ballgowns and tiaras

Cocktail dress to me means sort dress (ie not a floor legth gown)

short!

I always think of this sort of thing.

I think as long as you wear a dress or skirt/top combination that could in no way be described as casual, you will be fine.

It's difficult to be too specific as so many different things work for this dress-code, further complicated by the fact that the right accessories can make a less formal dress quite smart enough.

Thanks everyone. Think I may have to buy something. The only thing I have is a three quarter length black velvet dress with short sleeves which is basically my old faithful for things like (rare) new years eve do's etc.

Sounds like your velvet dress would be perfect.

any help?

Thanks again. I have decided to go with my black dress as the party is only two hours long and I don't have the money or inclination to buy another one. Sounds like it will do anyway