Guide to Shopping for Classy Cocktail Dresses

Do you have a fancy work party or evening wedding coming up? Then you need to make sure you look your best. Cocktail dresses by their very nature are fancier than other dresses; however, some tread a fine line of classy and trashy. While both may have their place, more formal events call for classy dresses. So get ready to shop for the best dress for your upcoming event.

Colors

The first thing you need to do before you start shopping for a classy cocktail dress is to decide on the color you want to wear. By having a certain color in mind, you will cut your search time exponentially. Events that require cocktail attire may already have color codes you need to follow--such as a black and white ball or an event with your firm that requires you to wear colors associated with the company. If you're unsure what color to wear, the best default color is always black. Little black dresses--or LBDs as many women call them--come in handy for many events, not just cocktail hours.

Length

Some cocktail dresses may come only a few inches down your thighs while others may hit the floor. Classy cocktail dresses tend to hover closer to the knee and below, making sure you're not showing anything that you aren't okay with the entire world seeing. The length of your dress, though, will depend on how tall you are and your body type. Try on those party dresses that on the hanger look too short or too long. They might surprise you once you're wearing them.

Neckline

The cut on the bodice of your dress is important because much like the length, it can tread the line between classy and trashy. Cowl-neck and scoop-neck white cocktail dresses ensure that you won't expose too much of your chest, while some V-necks may fall too deep to still be considered classy. However, even deep-cut necklines can be classed up with jewelry or shawls, which would help draw attention away from your cleavage.

Stores

Once you have decided on the color, length and type of neckline you're searching for in a dress, you're ready to go shopping. Department stores have departments specifically for fancy dresses. If you're looking to spend a little less money, though, you can check out chain retail stores for possibilities. You might even consider thumbing through racks at your local thrift stores for used dresses. Remember, you can add accessories to make a dress more appropriate for a cocktail-hour event.