When it comes to dressing for formal events, you are left with a huge panic because you not only don’t want to be underdressed but you also don’t want to be a victim of overdressing so we have decided to put together a little guide for you to refer to to help you with your style choice. I would recommend most of these styles to a range of formal events, whether it be to a ball, a black tie event, or even a wedding.
Cocktail Dresses
If you have seen Pretty Woman, you remember the iconic scene where she goes to the second place to get a nice dress and the lady says, ‘You’re going to need a cocktail dress’ and then she wears that stunning black lace dress. This is an elegant dress that can be anything on or slightly below the knee. This provides a seamless and sophisticated silhouette and this length means you can have anything short or long-sleeved.
Whether you opt for a shape that suits you or go for the classic sheath, a-lined or even mermaid cut, you have the power to pick anything that makes you feel most comfortable. I would recommend that you wear a cocktail dress for fancy meals, birthdays and even weddings.
Evening Gowns
Now any excuse to wear an evening gown and I am there, these would be perfect for an array of occasions, whether it be weddings, black tie events or just whenever you feel like the event is asking for that extra bit of effort with the outfits. So this is your perfect opportunity to go all out with a floor-length dress, and this allows you to have a lot of fun with the silhouette, such as the backless, trumpet or classic ball gowns, but that is all up to preference and your confidence level.
Choose fabrics that radiate elegance, such as silk, velvet, and taffeta, which are more commonly used for evening gowns.
Wedding Guest Dresses
The events of the year that we all get to go to or have already been in our lives, and when it comes to shopping for a nice and appropriate guest dress, it takes a while, but this one can be a lot easier as there is an array of options for you to choose from, but also you can have a better idea of what to wear based on the season of the wedding and location and they might even include in some advice to help.
When in doubt, opt for a knee-length or slightly lower dress that definitely isn’t in the colour white or shades similar to it. You want to ensure it’s a dress you feel comfortable in as you are in it for a whole day so go for a floaty or frilly dress that looks very unoffensive and flattering.
More Details On The Styles
Sheath Dresses
If you are unfamiliar with a sheath dress, it’s a simple, fitted silhouette that hugs the body and is best for hourglass or rectangle body shapes. These styles of dresses are perfect for cocktail parties, weddings and multiple formal occasions.
A-Line Dresses
A flared skirt that widens from the waist, creating a flattering a-line shape, this is the perfect style for weddings, cocktail parties and evening events and is best for most body types.
Mermaid Dresses
A mermaid dress is a fitted bodice that flares out dramatically from the knee or mid-calf. This style is most flattering on an hourglass or pear-shaped body type and is the perfect style for galas and weddings but also an array of other formal events.
Ball Gown Dresses
A full-skirted dress with a fitted bodice is best for hourglass or apple-shaped body types but then again, depending on the type of ball gown, there is a style for everyone. These over-the-top dresses are perfect for proms, balls and any kind of event that calls for it.
Cocktail Dresses
Knee-length or slightly longer dresses are suitable for formal events and they are suitable for most body types, so they are the perfect choice for cocktail parties, weddings and evening events.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to dressing for occasions, you could wear a dress covered in luxury Christmas baubles and be dressed for the right occasion if you style it or the event calls for it. Be confident in whatever you decide to wear and no one will ever care!
