Dianne What should I wear? You’re going to a cocktail party, wedding, or other special event and now you have to figure out what to wear. The invitation says, “Cocktail Attire” but how is that different from other types of attire, such as “black-tie optional” and “semi-formal?” I am here to help! In this blog post and video, you will find fashion tips and ideas about what to wear, including 10 tips about Cocktail Dresses: How to Make Your Cocktail Party Dress Look Expensive, Women over 50 style!
As a high-value woman, who is classy and loves elegant fashion, knowing proper etiquette is critical if you want to show off your style and sophistication. I share ideas about how to pick out classy cocktail dresses, the perfect color dress to suit your body type and skin undertone, and how to style your cocktail dress with the right accessories and shoes.
Perfect for women who love fashion over 40, and for women over 50 who love learning about how to look classy in cocktail attire, specifically elegant cocktail dresses. If you are interested in style over 60, style, style tips, and mature style secrets, and related fashion tips, you are in the right place. This blog post is all about How to Look Elegant in a Cocktail Dress, Women over 50 style!
This post contains affiliate links, which means I will receive a small commission for promoting an item if you purchase through the link I have provided. The items selected in this post are products I have promoted because I like them, and the opinions presented are all my own. For more information, see my blog compensation & disclosure page shown in the header or footer section of this page.
What is Cocktail Attire?
Cocktail attire is a category of dress that describes clothing that is sophisticated, elegant and very wearable. The cocktail dress code for women includes a dress or sophisticated pantsuit or jumpsuit. While there are beautiful options available, I always prefer an elegant, feminine cocktail dress when attending a fancy party, wedding, grand opening or special event. A cocktail length dress is knee-length or tea-length (midi-length). A mini-length dress is usually not a good choice as it is less sophisticated and can sometimes look juvenile, while a floor-length dress is for a formal event.
Make Your Dress Look Expensive
1. Dress for the Event
So you are going to an upcoming event that requires cocktail attire, outstanding! Parties are always fun. The challenging part is, “cocktail attire” is a very broad term and wearing the right dress or outfit requires some interpretation or reading between the lines.
For clarification, “cocktail attire” is the same as “semi-formal attire.” This is a category of dress that falls between Formal Attire and Business or Business Casual Attire, which leaves a lot of room for interpretation.
For an event that leans more toward the dressier end of semi-formal, opt for a dress that is more structured with some interesting design elements, like this GRACE KARIN wine mermaid style dress with a sweetheart neckline and a high-low mermaid hem.
For an event that leans more toward the casual end of cocktail attire, like a garden wedding, consider this pink cocktail dress and pair it with shoes like these Dream Pairs floral kitten heels.
If you are ever in doubt about how dressy or casual your cocktail party is, wear a dressier dress because it is always better to overdress than to underdress.
2. Accentuate Your Best Features
To look your best, find a dress that accentuates your best features. Consider this RALPH LAUREN black one-shoulder ruche dress. This summer cocktail dress style looks good on most body types and is especially great on curvy women.
If you have broad shoulders or wide hips is a good idea to stay away from horizontal lines that emphasize those areas of your body. For example, if you have broad shoulders, avoid wearing a boat neck collar, instead opt for something like this GRACE KARIN teal ruche halter dress. The vertical lines help to visually less the look of broad shoulders.
If you have narrow shoulders or hips, consider adding volume to your shoulders with shoulder pads, ruffles to create balance. If you have narrow hips choose a short cocktail dress that adds volume to hips, such as a dress with an a-line skirt or a dress with a peplum or ruffles.
More examples:
- If you have nice legs, choose a knee-length dress
- If you have beautiful arms, choose a sleeveless dress
- If you have a small waist, add a belt to your cocktail dress
Another tip, if you want to hide a belly, consider a cocktail dress with ruching, like the teal cocktail dress or the black one-shoulder cocktail dress shown above.
3. Wear a Color that Suits You
Colors Anyone Can Wear
If you have a specific dress color in mind for your upcoming event, perfect! However, if you are looking for some color suggestions, consider pink or teal. These two colors look good on most people.
A pink cocktail dress brightens any skin tone and brings out the natural glow of your face. Good for summer or winter, a teal cocktail dress, with the perfect balance of blue and green, complements any skin tone.
The Best Colors for Your Skin Tone
Warm under-toned skin:
If you have a warm skin undertone, choosing a cocktail dress in any color on the warm side of a color wheel, such as red, peach, coral, orange, amber, gold, and yellow, are all good choices.
Cool under-toned skin:
If you have a cooler skin undertone, choosing a cocktail dress in any color on the cool side of a color wheel, such as blue, green, and purple.
Neutral under-toned skin:
If you have a neutral skin undertone, do a little happy dance, because you can wear anything on the color wheel.
More than Your Undertone
Something else to consider when choosing the color of your cocktail dress is the lightness or depth of your skin tone. For light skin, you may wish to choose a cocktail dress in a dark color. This will offer a nice, complementary contrast to your skin color. Alternatively, if for a darker skin tone, consider a cocktail dress in lighter colors.
As for ladies with medium toned skin, primary colors like red, blue, and yellow are good choices.
4. Wear Classic Length Dress
The Cocktail Dress Code shows that a cocktail dress is knee-length or tea length. This is simple and straightforward rule, and adhering to this will take you one step closer to looking appropriately dressed, elegant and sophisticated.
Consider this beautiful GRACE KARIN Light Blue knee-length cocktail dress as a beautiful option. It is very affordable, screams elegance, and looks very expensive.
Avoid a mini dress or a skimpy dress because they look juvenile and less polished, while a longer, floor-length dress is appropriate for a formal dress code.
Consider this light teal green midi slip dress for a tea-length cocktail dress option. The fabric of this dress is lovely, and it flows beautifully, as you move about.
5. Wear Shoes that Align with your Event
Shoes and accessories set the tone of your outfit, and this remains true when you wear a cocktail dress.
For dressier cocktail events, wear fancier shoes. Metallic shoes, or shoes embellished with rhinestone or pearls. Shoes and accessories set the tone of your ensemble. For casual cocktail events – garden party wedding, consider wearing slightly more casual shoes, like something with a small kitten heel. This post feature two pairs of rhinestone shoes and both are amazing and both designer inspired. Both are so beautiful! The rhinestone sandals above are simple and elegant, and elevate any party dress. The mule-style silver shoes with a rhinestone bow and ankle strap are absolutely to-die-for! So amazing.
Also equally important, wear shoes that are mid-height and comfortable. There is nothing worse than attending a beautiful event and wearing the wrong shoes. Shoes that are too high are uncomfortable, difficult to walk in, and can ruin the evening.
If you are not a fan of heels, opt for a low, kitten heel sandals if you have difficulty wearing a mid-height heel. Stay away from flat shoes, if possible, as they are typically too casual for a semi-formal event.
6. Don’t over Accessorize
When attending a cocktail party, wedding or special event, don’t make the mistake of wearing all the rhinestone jewelry that you own. To create an elegant look, wear one or two pieces of statement jewelry and keep the rest of your jewelry understated and simple.
For all the looks that I created in this blog post, I am wearing the sample simple pair of understated rhinestone drop earrings. These earrings pair well with all the other jewelry pieces, such as a rhinestone necklace set, an elegant pearl and rhinestone brooch, a rhinestone cuff bracelet, and a pearl bracelet with rhinestone details I selected for these cocktail dress outfits.
Consider adding a pearl belt to your cocktail dress to add some sparkle and interest. The pearl belt that I styled with the cocktail dress outfit in this blog post is stretchy and very comfortable to wear. The front buckle is a beautiful clasp that elevates the look of even the simplest of cocktail dresses.
7. Keep Hair, Nails & Make-up Simple
Hair
Elegant attire looks beautiful and polished, but not try hard. Therefore, wear an effortless hairstyle with soft, natural-looking curls. If you prefer an up-do, consider a low, soft bun or French twist.
Makeup
Don’t overdo it! Too much makeup can look harsh and overdone and not elegant. For instance, if you are wearing dramatic eye makeup, keep the rest of your makeup, and especially your lip color, natural.
If you decide to wear a deeper lip color, keeping the rest or your makeup natural is a sure way to look polished and elegant.
Nails
A cocktail party is a good reason to elevate your look by polishing your nails. It’s something you can do yourself or it’s always a special treat to get some pampering by a professional. Details matter and a fresh professional manicure and pedicure is a sure way to elevate your look.
If colored nail polish is not your thing, consider applying a coat of clear polish is a nice way to make your hands and feet look elegant. To ensure you achieve a sophisticated look, pay close attention that your nails. Keep them clean, trimmed and at a moderate length is ideal.
8. Carry a Beautiful Clutch Bag
When attending a wedding, cocktail party or other special event, set aside your everyday purse for a beautiful clutch bag.
A beautiful option is this rhinestone clutch, which pairs well with rhinestone embellished shoes and jewelry.
For a classic look, consider wearing a small black clutch or a matte gold clutch for attending your cocktail party. A clutch that is large enough to carry your phone, lipstick and some money is ideal.
9. Pay Attention to Small Details
The little details matter.
Taking the time to steam your dress is critical! It’s easy, does not take very much time and it may be the difference between a dress looking tacky and cheap or elegant and expensive. Consider this hand steamer, it is not only ideal for steaming your cocktail attire, is also perfect for everyday use. It heats up quickly and is very portable. I use mine all the time and swear by it!
Besides steaming your cocktail dress, check for things like hanging strings, holes or anything else that may leave you looking less than ideal.
10. Wear the Right Undergarments
What goes under your cocktail dress is just as important as the dress you choose to wear. Wearing the right bra and underwear is critical to looking your best. I highly recommend the Warner’s strapless bra. It is an under wire design and stays in place beautifully.
Equally important is shapewear for your lower-half. Especially if you struggle with weight in your stomach and hip area, you find shapewear is your friend. I recommend Maidenform Shapewear. It sooths out any lumps and bumps and eliminates potential for panty lines.
Looking for More Style Inspiration?
- 10 Ways to Style Your White Jeans Outfit
- How to Look Polished in Shorts Outfits this Summer
- Essential Jewelry: The Jewelry Collection Every Elegant Women Needs
