Cocktail -vs- formal for holiday party

[Anonymous]

The dress code says "Cocktail or Formal Attire" for women, "Suit or Black Tie" for men... eek! How cocktail is cocktail, and how formal is formal in NoVa?

When I think formal, I think evening gown, possibly a healthy dose of sequins on the thing. I think cocktail, and I see cocktail-length, but any variety of formality from coulda worn it to the office with a business jacket, to something by Dior... Very easy to end up being ridiculously over- or under-dressed, and I don't want to do that for DH's sake. His first big event as an exec at his new company (been there only 3 months).

Advice, please!

[haulingthescoreup]

Cocktail style and length, with plenty of glam.

If it turns out to be dress down, the others will be jealous of you making the effort, and if it turns out to look like a reception for royalty, you'll have enough stuff going on to fit in.

Besides, no one ever gets to wear that kind of outfit! I'm jealous. My Christmas party attire consists of those weird Christmas sweaters. By golly, I'd love to turn up in something slinky and black!

Have fun!

[llecs]

---

ivyalmighty wrote:

The dress code says "Cocktail or Formal Attire" for women, "Suit or Black Tie" for men... eek! How cocktail is cocktail, and how formal is formal in NoVa?

---

They say what they mean here. DW loves it! My wallet hates it. If they say "formal" or "black tie", you'll usually find about 1/3 in tuxedos at any given event. Ladies usually are wearing full-length gowns or separates (not up on the lingo).

[Anonymous]

Boo llecs! I prefer cocktail! I'm too young for full-length unless it's the MC Birthday Ball!

 ((Plus I got a fabulous cocktail dress a few weeks ago & need a reason to break it out!))

Oh well guess I have to do some shopping!

ETA: Llecs, you should tell your wife to check out XXXXXXX tons of evening dresses for under $100... granted, they do have a wide selection of gowns best suited for a "date for hire" but uhhh.. they also have some really nice slinky ones!!

EDITED AGAIN because I forgot that site also has a very interesting costume section... pm me if you want the site lol

Message Edited by ivyalmighty on 11-17-2008 10:20 AM

Message Edited by ivyalmighty on 11-17-2008 10:30 AM

[Anonymous]

i so miss dressing up.

i would go all out full length, sequinsy, backless jobby that would require a trip to the tanning salon for a shot of mystic.

for price and comfort i'd go cocktail length.  i found the most darling tea length poofy skirt dress at dillards for NYE 2 years ago.  comfy and cute.  kinda a take off from a 50s dress.  i got lots of compliments on it and it was very easy to dance in, sit in and general prancing around acknowledging my princessness in

[Anonymous]

After age 10, it's always, always better to overdress rather than underdress. I hated that on my first day of kindergarten, this is public school folks, my mom dressed me up in a polo shirt and khaki pants. Très embarassing.

[Anonymous]

My first day of kindergarten, I wore a navy blue sailor dress with three GIANT crayola crayons embroidered on it.

[Anonymous]

Hahahahaha. Thanks for making me feel better about myself.

[MidnightVoice]

I once went to the Hilton in London in a black tux and got mistaken for a waiter.  GF thought it was hilarious 

[demi]

I would go for the glitz !

If you have Ross' on the east coast, try them for formal wear.  I go to 2-3 formal events a year, and I don't think I have ever spent more than 20 dollars for a dress or sequiny thing there.  Of course, add in shoes, etc, it adds up, but I am a firm believer in spending more for shoes I wear every day then some drop dead beautiful pair I will wear once.