Cocktail dresses - photos and history

Cocktail dress is a dress that gets its name from a drink that is served at parties. And drinks became widespread at the beginning of the twentieth century of the last century. The predecessors of these dresses can be considered dresses of the thirties, made of velvet, silk and brocade, which were worn for special occasions that did not require a long evening dress. Cocktails named “Shady Lady”, “Fallen Angel”, “Pink Rose” inspired designers to create new and new charming models.

The classic version of the cocktail dress is considered to be the one created by Christian Dior in 1947. In this creation of his, the handwriting of an undoubted genius is felt. He caught the spirit of the times and presented various options for cocktail outfits in his famous collection. Then expensive materials (silk, chiffon, velvet) were still used for these dresses.

In the 50s, options for cocktail dresses were dictated by famous couturiers such as Christian Dior, Hubert de Givenchy (you certainly remember the luxurious Audrey Hepburn dresses). The cocktail dress after 6 pm was complemented by a jacket or coat. The whole set included a hat, gloves and a handbag.

A cocktail dress could be worn to a party with friends, for a pleasant conversation over a cup of coffee in a summer cafe, for an evening walk, and even to the theater. It can look informal, and at the same time, wearing large jewelry, you can go to a summer ball.

The classic cocktail dress of the 50s is a dress with a deep neckline or an off-the-shoulder bodice, with a fairly modest length. Often the dress was accompanied by a bolero jacket, tiny hats with feathers, gloves and small handbags decorated with embroidery and beads. In a dress made of taffeta or satin, with a fluffy skirt and a tight bodice, in such a dress a woman at any age looked elegant and charming. This outfit made adult women younger, and the young in it became older. In the mid-50s, along with dresses, an ensemble appeared - a suit with a short bolero jacket, which was loved by many fashionistas.

In the 60s, they began to forget about the cocktail dress, and soon it completely left the women's wardrobe. And only in the 80s, dresses were replaced by ensembles of denim skirts and jackets, as well as leather outfits, which began to gain popularity among women of all ages. By the mid-90s, the cocktail dress was remembered, and its classic version gradually began to return. Hollywood stars have taken a great interest in vintage, fashion brands have again begun to create luxurious cocktail dresses. Today, a cocktail dress, regardless of the season, is an indispensable wardrobe item for every fashionista, and in designer collections you can always see several options for cocktail dresses. The fabrics for them are the same satin, chiffon, silk, velvet, that is, which convey the beauty of the female figure and grace to the maximum.

The accessories that come with the cocktail dresses have not changed either. But modern women of fashion prefer a miniature handbag or clutch from accessories. And a hat and gloves, unfortunately, are rarely added to this outfit. The style of this garment can be used where there is no need to appear in an evening long dress.

Before putting on your cocktail dress, you should consider the nature of the celebration wherever you are going. If the dress code of the event does not oblige an evening long dress, then you should think about which cocktail dress is better to wear. After all, the dress that you wear should remain in its best shape throughout the entire time, perhaps you should not choose too tight or open, wrinkled or shiny - it all depends on the event you will be attending.Finally, the dress should be age appropriate.

The cocktail dress is currently intended for corporate events, for visiting nightclubs, for a date in a restaurant, for family celebrations ...

A summer cocktail dress is usually brightly colored in light silk or chiffon and is more revealing. In winter dresses, a solid color scheme is preferable, but mainly black and red predominate, and purple and blue shades are also actively used. As winter fabrics, velvet and satin are in the first place.

Coco Chanel's little black dress can be called a winter cocktail dress. After all, black is always elegant and popular. If you add decorations to it in the form threads with pearls, in the style of Coco Chanel, then in it you will look elegant and elegant. A cocktail dress is an indispensable wardrobe item. You just need to choose the right length. If the dress is fluffy, it can be shorter, if it is narrow - up to the knee. The cut can be romantic in the traditional classic version, asymmetrical or futuristic.

The popularity of the cocktail dress can be compared, perhaps only with the classics of the fashion world - "Little Black Dress".