Difference between cocktail and evening dress.

There are plenty of festive occasions for women to create festive looks. This is the New Year, corporate parties, weddings, a trip to the theater or the opera, a restaurant, as well as birthdays and many other solemn and not quite events. Dresses for them remain classics of the genre. But many fashionistas are puzzled by the intricacies of the dress code. For example, what is the difference between a cocktail dress and an evening dress? Where should each one be worn?

Definitions

Evening dress

Evening dress - an attire intended for official ceremonial and social events, such as a ball, a visit to the opera, a banquet, an award or award ceremony, a government reception, etc. Traditional evening the dress is floor-length. At the same time, the cut can be different: a tight-fitting or loose bodice with a fluffy, straight, flared skirt, a mermaid silhouette, etc. Diverse fabrics are used for sewing, from brocade to organza. Along with the details of the decor (embroidery, rhinestones, beads, etc.), prints may be present in the design of an evening dress.

Cocktail dress

Cocktail dress is a simplified form of elegant women's clothing. It can be knee-length, palm-length higher or lower, and usually has no sleeves or collar. The silhouette of the traditional model is straight, often with a drawstring just below the natural waistline. But modern fashion offers women a wider range of styles: tight and loose, with different types of necklines, collars and short sleeves. The dress is usually sewn from light fabrics: in warm weather it can be, for example, silk, guipure, in cold weather - velvet or satin. The cocktail dress is traditionally monochromatic, but it is decorated with bugles, fringes, beads, sequins, etc. It is customary to wear a cocktail dress for non-festive events: birthdays, in a restaurant, casino, for a corporate evening, etc.

Comparison

The main difference between a cocktail dress and an evening one, as is clear from the definitions, is the length and design nuances. The second most important point is the correspondence of each of the two outfits to a specific dress code. If the invitation to an event indicates a white tie, then it means an evening dress, if a black tie, then a cocktail or a simpler version to the floor (for example, a plain or original designer outfit).

The dress dictates certain requirements for other elements of the image. So, strictly closed shoes with heels are put on for the evening, and the hair must be tucked into the hair. For official events, long gloves, fur coats (in winter) and jewelry with precious stones become constant companions of the image. In the case of a cocktail dress, everything is much more prosaic: shoes can be open, hair just beautifully styled. High-quality jewelry, evening hats are acceptable. Small bags are matched to both evening and cocktail dresses. But in the first case, these are most often clutches, and in the second - soft and richly decorated pouches.

In general, evening dresses are more strict and conservative, but they also look more elegant, as they are decorated more actively and more elegantly. Cocktail models are simpler in appearance, but they are comfortable to dance in. In addition, they come in handy for modern women of fashion more often.

For a definitive understanding of the difference between a cocktail dress and an evening dress, see the following table.

Table

Evening dress Cocktail dress
Floor-lengthAround knee length
Any silhouetteTraditional straight cut
Can be with or without sleeves and collarsDoes not have a collar and sleeves
lighter fabrics
May be patternedTypically plain
Adorned profuselyModerately decorated
Meets white tie and black tie dress codesMeets black tie dress code
Worn with closed shoes, gloves and jewelryAccessories are selected smart, but there are no strict rules
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