Worn at special and celebratory occasions, this formal attire that was once only ubiquitous in high fashion and elite business and social circles is fast becoming popular among urban aspirational masses. Today it is not uncommon for mid level and junior professional executives to flaunt a gown at office cocktail parties. Bollywood inspired sequined and frilly gowns are flaunted at almost every wedding and engagement cocktail party hosted by middle income groups in the metropolitan cities. Cocktail gowns are veritable statements of individual style and personality. Hence if you are looking to make a statement at a formal or semi- formal cocktail gathering, a gown can well be the ideal choice in terms of attire. You can flaunt your gown at cocktail parties that entail business/ professional networking and pre-wedding dos. Birthday and beach cocktail bashes and other cocktail parties centered on events like book launches, gallery launches, movie premieres and art exhibitions are some other places where you consider donning your gown.
Choosing the right cocktail gown however can be as challenging as figuring out the perfect set of Martini glasses. While the right gown can leave an indelible impression and augment your style quotient, the wrong one can translate to a complete fashion fiasco. Luckily there are some thumb rules that can help you make the right choice. For starters it is best to choose a colour that complements your skin tone and personality. Keeping this in mind, it is also important to use your own discretion and experiment a little. For instance, if you are dusky and vivacious, shades of maroon and magenta might surprisingly just be your perfect colours. For paler complexions and more introvert personalities, a turquoise blue or rose red gown might just translate to that veritable dash of chic and elegance.
Apart from colours you need to pay close attention to the fabric and design. Marbled velvet and satins are great for official and more formal cocktail parties as these fabrics lend elan and finesse. Crepes, chiffons and the more flowing fabrics are best for wedding cocktail parties or cocktail evenings spent with your close knit social circles. Zeroing in on the design of your gown is probably the toughest challenge simply because there numerous designs to choose from and unless you are a seasoned cocktail gown person a random choice can go very wrong. The ideal design is one that makes you look sophisticated and elegant.
You need to pay close attention to your specific body type as far as design is concerned. If you are tall and athletic/slim you could opt for designs with a greater amount of detailing or volume around the ankles. But it is best to stick to symmetrically stitched gowns. A-line gowns look flattering for slim women of average or relatively shorter height. A short and curvy frame will look better in asymmetrical gowns. Semi-fitted styles that softly follow your curves are ideal. If you have this body type and want a gown with prints you should ideally settle for small dainty prints. Gowns with puffed sleeves and shoulders look great on women with pear shaped body frames. On the other hand, if you are tall and on the heavier side you could opt for gowns that are stitched from two contrasting pieces of fabric. For instance a gown with satin on the upper torso and organza or crepe in the skirt section will look just great. You could also opt for gowns that have deeper back openings.
The season of the year is another vital consideration while choosing your cocktail gown. And here the rules are not very different from the ones that apply to the rest of your wardrobe. Opt for lighter fabrics and cooler pastel shades in summer and spring and heavier fabrics (like marbled velvet and satin) and bolder richer colours in autumn and winter. You could mix and match the fabric and colour of your gown for a slightly dramatic impact. For instance a cream gown in velvet will make an indelible statement in early winter while a blood red chiffon gown will invariably attract attention in late spring.
Cocktail gowns are always worn with high heels and singular pieces of statement jewellery. Going forward there will be more emphasis on conversational neck pieces and bracelets. Fusion designs (amalgamating western and Indian influences), cinched waistlines and fabrics with sheen and glitter are trending in cocktail gowns. Also in the seasons to come, apart from the international designer labels, more and more people will make a beeline for gowns retailed at local designer boutiques.
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