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I'm confused. What constitutes a cocktail dress? Is it length? Style? Something else?

Posted by Bryan User icon on September 26, 2025, 10:41 pm

For example, is this dress considered a cocktail dress? Why?

Bryan in Florida
aka periodsoftime on Ebay
bryanphopper@aol.com

I guess it's one of those things you just feel. I remember ...

Posted by Lynne D User icon on September 28, 2025, 7:08 pm, in reply to "I'm confused. What constitutes a cocktail dress? Is it length? Style? Something else?"

reading some of the etiquette in a fashion magazine from the 1950's. Female guests were encouraged to wear small decorative hats and gloves, while the female hostess wore neither of these things. I guess if it was a large party, you'd always know who to thank as you left.

Length mid calf or a bit higher/lower, posh fabrics, semi-formal style.

Posted by Donna in FL User icon on September 27, 2025, 8:17 pm, in reply to "I'm confused. What constitutes a cocktail dress? Is it length? Style? Something else?"

In my book it is a 'party dress'. Too 'dressy' to wear to church or to shop>>

Posted by Flamingomoon User icon on September 27, 2025, 3:26 pm, in reply to "I'm confused. What constitutes a cocktail dress? Is it length? Style? Something else?"

It would be whatever length daywear is in a particular time period, so, not a long formal gown. Men don't have to worry. They just put on a suit.

No, that example is lovely but it's day wear, not cocktail.

Posted by Jackie_NJ User icon on September 27, 2025, 10:05 am, in reply to "I'm confused. What constitutes a cocktail dress? Is it length? Style? Something else?"

The fabric makes that ensemble less dressy than it would be, if done in a shot silk, or a knit velvet.
The style lines are classic, but the fabric choice can make a big difference.

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I think most of the cocktail parties in 50s movies showed women in

Posted by Lee User icon on September 27, 2025, 10:04 am, in reply to "I'm confused. What constitutes a cocktail dress? Is it length? Style? Something else?"

tea-length dresses in high end fabrics and hats and furs were often worn indoors. Skirt type, sleeve length and bodice construction varied. And some wore hostess outfits even if they weren't hosting.

I look at it as slightly less formal than, well, a formal evening gown

Posted by Ohiostar User icon on September 27, 2025, 9:15 am, in reply to "I'm confused. What constitutes a cocktail dress? Is it length? Style? Something else?"

Usually with a shorter dress and maybe a hat instead of a jeweled hair ornament.

My guess - and it's just that - is that it's a holdover from the Victorian/Edwardian upper class way of dressing, that you 'dressed' for all sorts of times of day or occasions and they got progressively more formal as the day went on. From a morning dress to a day dress to a tea dress to a dinner dress and then maybe a ballgown.

Lovely ddress, but too casual for cocktail wear.

Posted by April in VA User icon on September 27, 2025, 9:06 am, in reply to "I'm confused. What constitutes a cocktail dress? Is it length? Style? Something else?"

Cocktail dresses tend to be silk, satin, lace, chiffon and such. You would not wear a cocktail dress to go grocery shopping. I hope that helps a bit.

BTW: I didn't take the photo of Violet, but I seem to remember it was Helen Hall.

Posted by Bryan User icon on September 26, 2025, 10:46 pm, in reply to "I'm confused. What constitutes a cocktail dress? Is it length? Style? Something else?"

Bryan in Florida
aka periodsoftime on Ebay
bryanphopper@aol.com

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