Friday, 24 February 2017

How to Shop For Your Once in a Lifetime Wedding Dress

He proposed, you said yes. The wedding planning is in full gear and its time to shop for your wedding dress. Your wedding dress is the most memorable and expensive dress you will ever purchase. Here is some practical advice to make your shopping trip fun and let you know what to expect.

Make an appointment to try on wedding dresses. Some bridal salons don't require them, but an appointment will guarantee you the individual attention of a bridal consultant and space in the dressing room.

Time your shopping trip to your best advantage. If you shop on a weekday afternoon, you will get the most attention and you will not be competing with a lot of other brides like you would on weekends. You also get more time to shop.

You will get the best deals if you shop in November and December when the bridal salons are slow and new merchandise is arriving. There will be more sales and more incentives to buy because they need to clear out stock to make room for new stock that is arriving. Wedding dresses arrive in cycles, with the late fall and early winter being the time the manufactures ship out new merchandise.

Don't shop too early, if your wedding is two years away and you are not prepared to buy, stay home and surf the net for ideas. The styles will change and your idea of your dream dress may change, along with your weight and wedding plan. The style may also be discontinued by the manufacturer.

Don't shop too late. Wedding dresses should be ordered 9 months to a year in advance. The manufacturers take 16 to 20 weeks to fashion your dress because of all the hand work that is done on the dress. You also need to allow transportation time and time to have alterations done. If you shop at the last minute, you will risk major disappointment. You will either have to buy off the rack or pay the manufacturer extra for rushing your dress.

Shop prepared. This should not even have to be mentioned., Wear underwear on your shopping trip. Wear clean underwear and be freshly showered or risk major embarrassment. Some salons will send you home to shower or come back with underwear and who can blame them? You are trying on expensive white dresses! And if you don't wear underwear, you'll be standing in the dressing room buck naked. If you are uncomfortable, you consultant will be doubly uncomfortable.

Bring along a strapless bra if you have one and a pair of heels to get a feel for how the gown will look on you.

Don't shop with a posse. Shop with someone you trust, your mom, your sister, your best friend. Don't shop with your entire wedding party. Too many people means a lot of confusion for you and your consultant. Too many opinions will make you crazy. Are they giving you their true opinion, or picking out a dress they would wear to their own wedding? Invite your friends to see your choice after you've made your choice. They'll be more interested after you've chosen your dress. Sure, a huge shopping trip sounds like fun, but you'll totally regret it when you leave exhausted, confused and aggravated.

Don't try to cram too many shopping appointments in one day. Trying on wedding dresses is exhausting. You'll be standing up in heels for a long time. Some of the dresses are very heavy. Pretty soon you'll be suffering from white blur, a wedding term that means that all the dresses are starting to look alike. Limit your appointments to no more than two a day and take time in between to grab something to eat and drink. The only way you can be on top of your dress shopping game is to be fueled up, hydrated and relaxed. Its going to be a long day!

Shop with an open mind and a good attitude. You have a dress etched into your mind. You are closing yourself to dresses that may be more flattering on your figure, cost less money and be THE dress. Be open and receptive to different necklines, body styles and fabrics. You may leave with the dress still etched in your mind, but you may just find THE dress if you stop telling yourself that you are picky. By constantly reinforcing your pickiness, you'll make yourself and your shopping companion crazy. Bridal consultants are trained and experienced in finding dresses that make the most of your figure and hide the parts that need to be hidden. Stop whining and listen, you'll be amazed at how fabulous you can look if you just open your mind and adjust your attitude.

What to expect when shopping for your wedding dress. Expect to be warmly welcomed into the bridal salon and meet your consultant. Your dress consultant will ask you some questions about your wedding. They'll ask you about the type of wedding, the formality of the wedding and your wedding dress budget. They aren't being nosy. They need to help you choose a dress from a mind boggling selection of dress styles. You can't try everything on in the store, its physically impossible. They also need an idea of your dress budget, so you don't fall in love with a dress that is out of your price range. If you want to see dresses under a thousand dollars or under five hundred dollars, tell them honestly to avoid a lot of disappointment on your part.

You will be shown styles, feel free to say no to anything you don't like. Be honest, you will not like everything and it will help your consultant pull more dresses that are in line with what looks best on you and you like.

Saturday, 21 January 2017

Picking a Cocktail Dress For a Social Event

A blue and white envelope just arrived in your mailbox. Inside is an invitation to your friend's house warming party next week. She is going to have wine, cheese, hor dours, and entertainment. It's going to be a dazzling event and you know you should dress up, but you have no idea what to wear.

Deciding what to wear to any social event can be overwhelming, especially when you have party favors, decorating, and baking to worry about--in addition to your day-to-day work. Fortunately, an attractive cocktail dress is suitable for many occasions.

If you are looking for versatility, the little black dress is a classic. It's attractive, simple, and stylish. You can wear it to almost any evening occasion, and you can personalize it with high heels, jewelry, and a handbag. And the little black dress can be quite attractive--just think about Julia Roberts in "Pretty Woman," wear she wears a black cocktail dress with lace trim.

When you are shopping in search of the perfect little black dress, pay attention to the small details (below):

What to Look for in a Little Black Dress:
- Length. The dress should hit at the thinnest part of your leg above the knee.
- Cut. Make sure the dress flatters your body type. The dress should accentuate a woman's curves and waist, but never ever be too tight.
- Fabric. Jersey fabric is comfortable and stretchy, but it may not hold its shape. Invest in a dress with a soft, flattering fabric such as silk or satin.

If you prefer new, trendy styles, try an updated version of the little black dress with a modern touch.

The Little, Black Dress with a Modern Touch:
- Sleeve length: Try a sexy strapless dress. Or, try a dress with long sleeves for the winter-time.
- Tights: Wear patterned tights. Or, wear opaque tights, which are very trendy right now. Note: Opaque tights may dress down an outfit.
- V-shape: Try on dresses with a plunging V in the front to accentuate your attributes. Also, V-shaped backs can be very sexy and sophisticated.
- Lace: A black dress with lace can be very attractive and elegant. If the dress is very detailed, keep your accessories limited and wear classic makeup (red lipstick, mascara, and eye-liner).

Cocktail Dresses:
If you want to avoid black altogether, try on cocktail dresses! Cocktail dresses can be silver, plumb, gold, cream, etcetera. Wearing a stylish, colorful evening dress will make you more memorable, and it is much more festive than black. For the wintertime, try on dresses that are dark red, dark blue, ruby, gold, purple, or emerald green.

Choosing a Cocktail Dress:
To choose a unique, sexy cocktail dress, get an idea of what kinds of dresses exist. A simple online search works well. Consider dresses with lace, patterns, sequins, and satin. One-sleeved dresses and metallic are also popular, so don't shy away from them, Also, look for rich fabrics such as velvet and silk.

If you are unsure what kinds of social events and special occasions call for a cocktail dress, use the suggested guidelines below:

Occasions where a cocktail dress is recommended:
- Cruise ships
- Work-related parties (make sure the dress is knee-length and not too short)
- Semi-formal
- New Years
- Anniversary parties
- Holiday parties
- Charity events
- Dinner at an expensive restaurant

Occasions where a cocktail dress may be worn:
- Prom (cocktail dress designers make great, flirty 2009 prom dresses)
- Class reunions
- Evening weddings
- Dinner parties (ask the host in advance)
- Evenings out (to the theater, the ballet, or the Opera. Note: different parts of the

United States are more formal or more casual than others)

Events where a cocktail dresses is not recommended:
- Business dinners (know your company's culture)
- Job interviews
- White Tie events
- Quinceanera events (cocktail dresses are different than Quinceanera dresses)
Now you can take a breath, relax, and look forward to your next social event. Once you have the basic black dress and one stylish cocktail dress, you will be set to party all night long.

Thursday, 22 December 2016

How to Buy a Prom Dress Online

One of the most important events in a young girl's life is prom. Just as she dreams about getting married in that perfect bridal gown, she also dreams about wearing the most beautiful dress to her prom. After all, prom is not just about having a date and getting to dance all night. It is about being noticed and being remembered.

In the past, shopping for a prom dress was limited to bridal shops, boutiques, and department stores. Style choices were often minimal, as well. Unless a girl had her dress special-made, there was always the risk of showing up at prom wearing a dress identical to the dress worn by one of her classmates. What a disaster that would be! Nothing could be more humiliating to a teenage girl.

Fortunately, times have changed. A teenage girl has more options today. There are now shops that specialize in prom dresses. In fact, there are online prom dress specialty shops, as well. A girl can now spend hours online, searching for the perfect dress from the comfort of her own room.

Things to Know about Buying a Prom Dress Online

Obviously, shopping online is not quite the same as physically going into a store. For one thing, you can't try on the dress that caught your eye on a certain prom dress website. If that particular store happens to have a location in your vicinity, you could always visit that store to try on prom dresses. Otherwise, you'll have to make sure that you order your dress early enough to allow for fittings and alterations. (It's a good idea to start shopping for your prom dress at least six weeks before prom.)

(Prom dresses bought in a store or online more often than not will require alterations. To get that perfect, made-just-for-you fit, your dress will probably need a little tuck here or letting out there.)

Before you order your prom dress online, be sure to investigate all your options. (Remember, you're shopping for one of the most important dresses you'll ever wear.) If you have your heart set on a dress that you saw online, make sure that it is being sold by a reputable company. You certainly do not want to make a big investment on a dress, only to discover later that you were taken advantage of.

Be aware of the store's return policy. When it comes to prom dresses, most stores do not allow returns. This "no return policy" prevents any questionable returns, such as the return of a prom dress after it has already been worn to prom. If you cannot return a prom dress for any reason, you want to be certain that you are quite satisfied with your choice before purchasing the dress.

The Benefits of Buying a Prom Dress Online

Buying a prom dress online can save you (and your parents) time and money. Not only will you save gas money and time spent going out to the mall or specialty stores, you will also be able to find more reasonably priced prom dresses at online stores.

When you shop online, you have access to prom dress stores all across the country...not just local stores. That means there will be a larger selection of prom dresses from which to choose. You should be easily able to find a prom dress online that suits your style and personality. It means, too, that you run less of a chance of buying the same dress as another girl at your school.

At online prom dress specialty stores, you can find the latest styles in prom dresses made by popular designers, such as Jovani Prom or Terani Prom. You can find short dresses or long dresses, fancy dresses or simple dresses, dresses with full skirts or tight-fitting dresses. Just about any style of prom dress you can imagine will be found online.

Don't Forget the Accessories

This is your prom, and you want it to be as memorable as possible. You want to look and feel like a real princess. That's why you should consider adorning yourself with some sort of hair décor or jewelry. Tiaras or decorative hair clips are always a good choice to compliment your beautiful hair.

Check the store from which you purchase your prom dress for the right accessories to accentuate your look. Most prom dress stores carry a variety of prom accessories.

Saturday, 19 November 2016

Top 10 Ways to Reuse a Flower Girl Dress

A flower girl always wears a fashionable, beautiful dress. The dress, however, can be found in various styles. A girl can wear an Easter dress, a holiday gown, or even a sundress for a casual summer wedding. Similarly, a dress can be worn for other special occasions. Indeed, there are numerous ways to reuse a flower girl dress.

Top 10 Tips

1. Keep It For The Future

Wedding dresses and christening gowns are often preserved to become heirloom dresses. Not as many flower girl dresses are preserved in this manner. Yet these gowns can be kept for future generations. Many preservation companies who work with wedding dresses will also take care of these dresses. Preservation kits can also be purchased for preparing the dress at home.

2. Attend A Special Occasion

These lovely dresses can be used at future special occasions such as birthdays and holidays. Rich velvet dresses are perfect for Christmas celebrations. Soft pastel dresses look elegant at Easter. Dresses with removable sashes or flowers can always get a special new look.

3. Go To A Tea Party

Every day can be a special occasion. Little girls love tea parties. Turn a summer afternoon into craft/tea party time. Children can decorate wide brim straw hats with flowers and ribbons. The afternoon ends with a tea party where every little girl wants to look their best.

4. Wear Wonderful White

White is the most popular color for these dresses. The mini-bride dress is always a beautiful white. White dresses can be used for any upcoming religious celebrations - First Communion, Confirmation, later-life Baptism, or other church presentations. Adding appropriate accessories (jackets, boleros, headpieces, veils) creates a new look. Remove a colored sash from a white dress and the result can be an elegant communion dress.

5. Make It Green

Modern weddings are often eco-friendly weddings. Previously loved dresses are ideal for green weddings. Pass a dress on to a green bridal party.

6. Work For Charity

Certain charitable organizations accept gently worn formal attire. They resell the clothing to raise funds for worthwhile projects. Other retailers sell recycled dresses and then donate a percentage of their profits to charities. Donating a flower girl dress can make a dream come true for another child. Check out the charities in your local area.

7. Play Dress-Up

When you're a little girl, you don't need a special occasion or even a tea party to have fun. Children are only limited by their imagination and every child loves to play dress-up. Flower girl dresses turn little girls into little princesses. Wearing ballet slippers with a flowing dress transforms a young lady into a beautiful ballerina. Capture these special moments in photos. Dress-up allows children to have fun while expressing their creativity.

8. Go To A Play

When acting out a play at home, it helps to have a lovely dress for the leading lady. Special dresses come in handy for school concerts or drama club performances. Budding actresses shine in divine dresses.

9. Share The Beauty

This beautiful dress can bring a touch of beauty to many lives. Its fine fabrics can be turned into sachets, memory pillows, or even table skirts. Pieces of the dress can also be used to make a recycled dress. This fabric can be passed on to a seamstress or anyone with a talent for sewing can use the material at home. A seamstress can use a bodice from one dress and match it with sleeves from another dress. Exquisite details such as lace and beading can be added to make an unique dress.

10. Have A Creative Halloween

The dress can also be part of a Halloween costume. The possibilities are endless for a creative Halloween outfit. White dresses can help little ones turn into lovely princesses or even scary ghosts. Any dress with a deep, rich, autumn color, such as dark brown, can match the Halloween spirit. Black dresses add a look of mystery and magic to Halloween. Black dresses are very trendy, especially with the increasing number of black and white weddings.

Thursday, 13 October 2016

Here Are Creative Ideas For Choosing Colorful Flower Girl Dresses

The sight of a cute girl strolling down the aisle will instantly warm the hearts of your wedding guests. girls are easy to shop for because they look adorable in anything. However, you should choose a girl dress that your family will adore. Here are some creative ideas for choosing colorful girl dresses that any family would cherish.

Tulle Tiered Ballgown

This girl dress is extraordinary and unique! This lovely dress is a spaghetti strap, tulle tiered ballgown and it features a beaded waist and a huge bow on the back. If you want your little girl to look like a princess and stand out from the crowd, you will love this dress. This girl dress is rich in details, elegant, and perfect for any kind of wedding. This dress comes in ivory and white and sizes 2T to 14.

Spaghetti Strap Ribbon Waist Dress

This gorgeous dress is a satin, spaghetti strap dress with a pick-up skirt and ribbon waist. This dress is charming and one-of-a-kind! Your girl will look fabulous with this dress on, which is available in white and ivory. A colorful, beaded satin sash is also available for this dress, and it comes in a variety of colors like pink, orange, blue, green, red, black, and others. A sash will make this dress look bolder and more energetic! If you have already picked out the colors for your wedding, you should definitely purchase this colorful girl dress for your big day.

Satin Beaded A-Line Dress

This satin A-line gown features a pleated bodice, an empire waist, and gorgeous beaded detail that adds sparkle to the dress. This dress is sophisticated, stylish, and perfect for your wedding day! This A-line style dress is also flattering for any kind of girl and it comes in ivory or white and sizes 2T to 14.

Lace-up A-Line Dress

You can add a splash of color to your wedding with this beautiful, girl dress. This satin A-line gown has spaghetti straps and a lace-up back and it comes in white or ivory. This dress also comes with a beautiful color trim on the top and bottom of the dress in the color of your choice. A variety of vibrant colors are available like Apple, Black, Canary, Champagne, Sangria, Watermelon, and many others. This dress is simple and sassy, and it is fit for a real princess.

Cotton Sateen Dress

If you think white girl dresses are boring, you will love this dress. This dress comes in 41 gorgeous shades and it is fun and festive! This tank strap, cotton sateen dress comes with a beautiful bow in the back and it features a t-length skirt. Your girl will look beautiful and so sweet in this dress!

Keep your girl's personality in mind when you are shopping around for her dress. If your flower girl enjoys dressing up, she will love an elegant, fancy dress or ballgown. If your flower girl doesn't like wearing dresses, she will feel pretty silly wearing a lacy, feminine dress, so you should go with an understated, simple dress that she will be comfortable in. Keep in mind that your girl will look spectacular wearing a colorful dress that matches your wedding theme or wedding dress.

You will also have to decide what length is right for your girl's dress. If your girl is young, you should choose a shorter, or tea-length dress because there is no risk of falling. An older girl can wear an elegant, sophisticated, longer dress.

Finally, keep in mind that you can make any girl dress better if you purchase the perfect accessories. The accessories you purchase should enhance your girl's beauty and it will add the finishing touch, whether she is three years old or 13, so shop around until you find the perfect veil, headpiece, gloves or shoes.

Thursday, 22 September 2016

Bewitching Mother of the Bride Dresses for That Special Day

A mother of the bride has many dress style choices to consider for her daughter's special day, such as trends for the wedding's season, which often goes hand in hand with dress length and color choices. Also, a mother of the bride wants to look graceful, slender and sophisticated.While a seemingly daunting task, we've gathered not only the best new mother of the bride dress styles, but a mix of modern and classic looks for bewitching mother of the bride dresses for that special day.

Bewitching Mother of the Bride Short Dress Styles

For a late spring or summer wedding, an off the shoulder look has proven the hottest new look for a mother of the bride. A favorite is the Off the Shoulder Ruched Stretch Tafetta Dress style, which appears sleek, as it highlights the neck and shoulders, while all over ruching flatters any physique. While guests will prove bewitched by this style, which also features a center brooch for added sparkle, no one will guess at how comfortable you feel in the stretch taffeta fabric.

Many mothers of the bride prefer an elegant and timeless style for their daughter's special day and feel naturally drawn to the Portrait Collar Knit Dress with Lace Skirt style dress. A perfect choice for any shape and size, this dress features the lovely portrait collar, which squares off in the front and back, extending as far as the shoulder seams. Combining elegance and comfort, many mothers of the bride love this dress because of the comfortable knit bodice, a perfect contrast to the slim beaded lace skirt.

For more sleeve length without a having to wear a jacket, the best dress style to consider is the Short Sleeve Dress with Jeweled Button Detail. A modern spin on an Audrey Hepburn look, this chic style offers an elegant portrait collar for added sophistication and waist detail accented with a gorgeous tie bow and beautiful jeweled button detail, all in satin fabric that shimmers in any light. A particularly bewitching color is foxy gold.

For a mother of the bride who prefers the option of a jacket, a brand new style is the Hammered Shimmer Jacket Dress with Tiered Skirt style. Under its 3/4 sleeve jacket, this tank style dress features the popular empire waist, embellished with jewel and sequin detail and a flattering, tiered knee-length skirt. Also consider the Short Iridescent Taffeta Jacket Dress style, a modern look featuring a cap sleeve and brooch detail on the jacket. This dress is known for slimming any shape and size with side ruching, which hides even the slightest flaws.

Bewitching Mother of the Bride Long Dress Styles


A mother of the bride may opt for a longer dress style, which is traditionally common for an evening or winter wedding. For the cooler months couched around the winter season, many mothers of the bride choose a longer dress style with shorter sleeves. A perfect example, the Long Iridescent Taffeta Mock Two-piece Dress style will show off your neckline and shoulders with its portrait collar. This dress then flares out to a long, full skirt, adding the perfect touch of elegance for any occasion.

For the more daring mother of the bride, the One Shoulder Mesh Dress with Ruched Waist dress style will certainly bewitch your daughter's wedding guests. A one shoulder dress exudes style and sophistication, and its ruched waist slims any mid-section, while the full skirt adds length. In addition, this dress, fully lined, feels lightweight with comfortable mesh fabric.

For a formal wedding, a top choice among mothers of the bride is the Fit and Flare Iridescent Taffeta Dress with Jacket style, a modern and elegant look. While this dress offers a touch of formality with its chic jacket, the dress underneath will provide a mother of the bride with a fashion-forward look through the flattering ruching in the waist and shimmering brooch detail. A mother of the bride looking for a formal but more conservative look, a top dress pick is the Hammered Shimmer Mock Two-Piece Jacket Dress style. This luxurious hammered shimmer jacket dress features a soutache ribbon lace trim, which is a narrow, decorative braid, adding the perfect amount of detail for a most demure look.

Bewitching Plus Size Mother of the Bride Dress Styles

Many mothers of the bride with a plus size figure have a hard time finding the right dress for that special day. However, there now exists a large selection of plus size dresses that not only offer comfort, but style and sophistication.

If searching for a shorter length dress with short sleeves, look no further than the Metallic Brocade Sheath Dress. This fun and fabulous dress offers a mother of the bride that gorgeous shape with flattering lines and is available in sizes 8-18. For a longer length dress with short sleeves, a new style is the One Piece Metallic Chiffon Halter Dress with Scarf. This daring one piece modern halter dress comes with a ruched waist band accented with a beautiful beaded buckle detail, which will slim any waist line. The scarf can be worn as added coverage.

Many plus size mothers of the bride just feel more comfortable in a pant suit, and many designers have responded. A perfect example is the Three Piece Jersey Pant Suit, made of jersey fabric, allowing a mother of the bride to dance the night away! This suit comes with a tunic top with beaded detail at the neckline, a cinched waist for the ultimate slimming effect and a glamorous jacket.

Thursday, 18 August 2016

Party Dresses for Upscale Engagements

Inconsiderate men often complain that women take too long to get ready for a night out. But of course that is the case. The guys need only slip on a suit, while the girls have to do their hair, apply their makeup and find the right dress. One reason women sometimes struggle when it comes to the dress is that they are not sure what is expected of them. When attending a social event, for instance, there is often a dress code. Let us take a moment to review them.

Black Tie

A black tie affair is the most formal social gathering. Men are expected to wear tuxedos, while women can choose between cocktail dresses, formal gowns or long dresses. There are also white tie affairs, which are just as formal. The only difference is that the men wear white bowties instead of black ones.

Creative Black Tie

A creative black tie invite gives guests the option of dressing down a bit. Men can wear black suits instead of tuxedos and women can wear shorter dresses or evening separates.

Semi-Formal

As the name implies, guests are not expected dress up for semi-formal affairs. Dinner or cocktail parties with close friends and acquaintances are generally semi-formal. Men should wear dark suits and women can wear cocktail or party dresses. Professional women sometimes wear dressy suits to semi-formal events.

Business Formal

The dress code for business formal is the same as semi-formal for the guys, but the girls are expected to dress in tailored suits or long dresses.

Cocktail Attire

The standard cocktail party doesn't have a well-defined dress code. The guys usually dress in dark suits and the women wear party dresses.

Informal

When an invitation calls for a casual dress code, it often means that men should wear a coat and tie and women should wear shorter dresses. More often than not, casual affairs are held during the warmer months when gowns or formalwear would be terribly uncomfortable.

Because the dress code for the girls is more complicated, it requires further examination. One of the most confusing things about eveningwear for women is the rather broad definitions. Everyone knows, for example, what a tuxedo is. But what about a cocktail dress, an evening gown or a party dress?

Once again, these dresses are defined by the formality of the event. The most formal dress is the evening gown. The difference between the gown and the other two is that it is longer and that it is often made of heavier, more luxurious and expensive fabrics. An evening gown is generally made of satin, silk, velvet or chiffon. Its hemline can range from tea length and ballerina to full-length gowns. Evening gowns are far more accessible than ball gowns, since they are available in any silhouette, including A-line, trumpet, sheath, empire and mermaid.They may have halters, straps or sleeves. Evening gowns are worn at black tie and white tie events, while ball gowns are obviously only worn to balls.

Cocktail dresses were created specifically for semi-formal affairs. The length of the dress varies widely. Some cocktail dresses are rather revealing, with a hemline that falls just above the knees and others drop all the way to the ankles. The most common length for a semi-formal dress is called tea length, which about two inches above the ankles. Ballerina length dresses are a little longer, as they actually reach the ankles.

Shorter cocktail dresses are often seen at upscale clubs or at more casual get-togethers. These dresses were known as 'late afternoon' numbers before cocktail parties became all the rage in the 1950s. They were also called 'early evening wear,' since women would often wear them out to dinner or to a local speakeasy or salon.

What then is a party dress? Well, a party dress can be any of the aforementioned. Cocktail dresses, evening and ball gowns are all officially party dresses. Some are worn to formal parties, while others are worn to semi-formal and casual affairs.

Modern Styles

The little black dress (LBD) is arguably the most popular party dress in the history of fashion. Created by world famous fashion designer Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel in the 1920s, the LBD is the quintessential cocktail dress. It is flirty, fun and affordable. Because of its elegant simplicity, the little black dress is perfect for any semi-formal occasion.

One-shoulder dresses toe the line between semi-formal and formal dresses. Depending on the hemline and the material, they may be a bit of both. The style is quite popular with younger women who want to show a bit of skin in a reserved and elegant way.

Beaded cocktail dresses can be worn by women of all ages. Though they are undoubtedly on the casual side, they are quite comfortable and flattering for most figures. The beaded dress is actually quite popular for less formal wedding ceremonies.

At the end of the day, party dresses should be fun. As important as dress codes may be, they should never get in the way your enjoyment. It's a party, after all.