How to.... Cocktail Attire 101

Hello fashionistas!! So this next weekend Im going to be at Washingtong DC as part of the Capitol City Challenge which is an Trial Advocacy Competion hosted by the Washington College of Law.  And as I found out yesterday we will be having a Cocktail Party on saturday.  First question that pop into all of my teamates head, specially the boys, WHAT is cocktail attire?? What am I supposed to wear.  This email and the questions of course, inspired me to write about How to Dress for a Cocktail Party.  First question to answer, What is a Cocktail Party?

 

Well, cocktail parties have been a popular social gathering for years. They were a hit during the first few decades of the 1900's, were fueled by Prohibition and died off a little during the last part of the century, but they're back. Typically a cocktail party lasts 2-3 hours during which guests snack on a simple spread of food and imbibe on great cocktails while chatting with other guests. Cocktail parties are great for entertaining friends or business associates, or a combination of the two. They're also great for open houses or receptions, both business and personal.

 

Now lets get to it, What to wear?  Here are some tips, and pictures to help you with our lovely dilemma.....

 

• Formally, as the name says it, women are supposed to wear cocktail attire. A cocktail dress is a knee length dress that ranges from just above the knee to just under the knee. The dress can also be tea length, in this case the dress is just above the ankle.

• My advise according cocktail dresses is that you choose an elegant gown in a dressier fabric that is flattering on your body. On a cocktail party you don't want to look too exposing.
 
• Wear colors that match with your skin tone. Darker colors will look more formal than lighter colors. A little black dress can look really chic an can be glamoured up with accessories. Other colors can also be stunning, look seasonal colors for inspiration
 
• Combine your dress with some dazzling high heeled pumps or open sandals in a color that matches with your gown.
 
• NEVER wear a large bag but go for a small and elegant evening bag. If your dress is in a basic color like black you can also choose to let your shoes or your bag stand out by letting it be in a bright color.
 
• Go for some eye catching jewelry, especially if you wear a simple gown. Wear for example a beautiful silver or golden bracelet with some flashy earrings. a beautiful necklace is also an option, in this case don't let your earrings be big and make sure that the necklace doesn't compete with your neckline.
 
• Put some effort in your hair and put some makeup on girl. During evening events your makeup can as dramatic as you want, but remeber to balance it out with your outfit and accesories. Make your eyes or your lips pop out while still looking natural.

 

 

This white cocktail dress Selena Gomez is wearing is perfect for a cocktail party! It's so simple but yet elegant, we love it. A plain dress always works great because you can wear it with stunning high heels and beautiful accessories!

 

Earrings: Serendipidity

Shoes: Sergio Rossi

Bracelet: Fine Jewellery Making

Clutch: Diane von Furstenberg

 

 

Kelly Ripa looks great in this black cocktail dress! A little black dress is always a safe cocktail party (or for any other occation) outfit because it makes every woman look beautiful! Make sure you choose a nice fabric and combine it with some fancy high heels and jewelry and you're good to go!

 

Accessories: Swarovski

Clutch: Nanette Lepore

Shoes: Casadei

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley wears a beautiful black and yellow cocktail dress. Wearing a dress in a colorful print is a great way to make your appearance more fun! Now if decide to go with prints remember to tone it down with the accesories and make up, this way your outfit wont be competing with itself.

 

Shoes: Christian Louboutin

Lipstick: L'Oreal color riche, true red

Clutch: Acne

Earrings: Polyvore

 

 

 

Eva Mendes looks stunning in this cream cocktail dress! This cocktail attire is so sophisticated and ladylike! This high neck dress doesn't need big accessories and by just wearing these small earrings the overall look became more elegant.

 

Nail polish: Essie, ballet slippers

Shoes: Bennett Harper

Clutch Karen Millen

Earrings: River Fine Jewelry

 



 

Like I said before, a little black dress like Taylor Swift wears here is perfect cocktail attire! It always looks elegant and chic, especially if you glamour it up with accessories. A little black dress you can find almost everywhere, but make sure you go for a dressy fabric and flattering model.

 

Shoes: Jimmy Choo

Bracelet: Fenize

Earrings: Diane White Topaz

Clutch: Michael Kors

 

Happy Styling!!!

 

Dior Darling

Hello Fashionistas!!!  
America's sweetheart and Dior's darling, Jennifer Lawrence, rocked her short do and her flawless features in yet another campaign for the French Fashion House.  The Oscar winner poses with minimal makeup and her short hair styled in a wind-swept ‘do, going topless under a trench coat for the Miss Dior handbag. I dont know you but I'm totally in love and OBSESSED with this Add!   

Happy Styling!! 

5 Spring Beauty Trends

Hello Fashionistas!!!  Today I want to let you on 5 spring beauty trends!!  You will find from orange lips to luminous skin.

•       Orange Lips – Like I mention in a previous post orange lips is SO IN for this season.  It may be a bold color for a lot of people but you need to think of it as a citrus hue or as classic red’s cool younger sister.  This shade is vibrant, playful and perfect for the warmer months that are to come.  You can find it in various brands such as Revlon , Dior, Maybelline, Sephora and even Elizabeth Arden.  How to know your perfect shade??? Well according to beauty experts there are no rules.  Orange makes such a statement that you an basically pull of whatever and whichever you want.  When wearing an orange lipstick remember to balance your lips and eyes wearing shadows and liners that are in the neutral side this way your eyes wont compete with your awesome lip color. (Please check out my previous posting A Little Pop of Orange)

 

•        White nails – In case you don’t know white is a neutral.  From opalescent to true white is cool, modern and flatters every skin tone.  When choosing your “white” keep in mind that true white is eye-catching, while pinkish white is more understated and chic.  Add some sparkle for a night out.

      

• Messy hair – Perfect straight hair is “passé”! Right now, it’s all about texture that’s loose, wavy and undone.  In order to get this look the trick is prep prep prep.  Get a product fro straight or wavy hair; use a texture-enhancing spray on damp strands of hair.  If you hair is curly, control the frizz by applying a smoothing cream to wet hair.  No w to get the natural effect, SKIP THE BRUSH, create a part with your fingers and blow dry with a hair diffuser until its 75% dry, then let it air dry!

•      Blue eye make up – YES you read right, BLUE! From teal to cobalt and sea foam, all the blue and aquatic inspired shadows and liners feel fun and flirty and a good thing Is they make any eye color stand out.  If you are not a fan of blue eye shadow you can get the look in an easy way and easy to wear way. Simply use eyeliner. Bright colors like teal are great when applied on the bottom lash line only.  Also on thing to know it’s that darker shades like sapphire can even be a substitute for black on both top and bottom.  One of my faves teal eyeliner is from the brand Jordana and of course the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On eye pencil in Deep end. 

•       Luminous Skin – this season calls fro glow. A glowing complexion is the perfect complement to every makeup trend this season.  When trying to achieve a luminous look, always PREP your skin, the smoother your skin looks the brighter it will appear, so exfoliate your skin first and then follow with a luminizing primer to minimize pores and create a “shine from within” kind of look. For me the best way to achieve this without making your face look “caky” or even greasy is mixing an illuminating tinted moisturizer or a simple illuminator with your regular foundation or bb cream.  The fact that you took the time to blend them both and then putting them in your face, will make the your face glow in a natural way.  For an extra glow you can go ahead and use powder or liquid highlighter an use on your nose, on top of your eyebrows, cheeks and cupid bow.