What to wear to a cocktail party
Wear a knee-length to midi dress or a sharp suit with polished shoes. Think elegant and a touch celebratory, in rich colours rather than daywear.
Three outfits that work
Navy dress, cream jacket, pointed heels
- navy knee-length dress
- cream tailored jacket
- black pointed heels
- black satin clutch
A knee-length dress with a jacket is classic cocktail, covers the shoulders and photographs well.
Navy suit, white shirt, black shoes
- navy suit jacket
- navy suit trousers
- white dress shirt
- black leather shoes
- leather watch
A navy suit with a white shirt is right for a cocktail evening, and you can drop the tie if the invite allows.
Burgundy midi dress, longline jacket
- burgundy long-sleeved midi dress
- black longline jacket
- champagne hijab
- black low heels
A long-sleeved midi dress with a longline jacket is dressy and covered, and the colour feels festive.
By weather
| Hot22° and up | Light silk, crepe or wool, and a thin wrap for the evening air. |
|---|---|
| Mild10° to 21° | The outfit as planned, with a wrap or coat for the walk in. |
| ColdBelow 10° | A wool coat for the cloakroom, tights if you wear a dress and closed shoes with grip. |
Do and don’t
- Choose rich colours or classic black and navy
- Wear polished shoes that you can stand in
- Carry a small clutch
- Check the invite for a dress code
- Wear daytime work clothes
- Wear a floor-length gown unless asked
- Wear shoes you cannot stand in for two hours
- Wear strong scent
Check the night before
- Check the invite for dress code and time
- Press the outfit
- Polish shoes
- Pack a small clutch with card, phone and lip balm
- Plan how you will get home
Questions people ask
What is cocktail attire?
A knee-length or midi dress, or a suit with a dress shirt. It is smarter than business casual and less formal than black tie.
Do men need a tie at a cocktail party?
Often not. A suit or tailored jacket with a dress shirt is enough, unless the invitation says otherwise.
Can I wear a jumpsuit?
Yes. A tailored jumpsuit with polished shoes fits cocktail attire.
Is black acceptable for a cocktail party?
Yes. Add a bright accessory or texture if you want it to feel festive.
Pick Cocktail party in FeinLens and see what you already own
FeinLens builds complete outfits for this occasion from photos of your own clothes, dressed for the forecast where you’ll be.
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