So you have a nice place to go and you’re looking for the perfect outfit? What better way to go than designer cocktail dresses. Chic yet elegant is the look to go for. Even if you are looking for plus size cocktail dresses, there is a lot out there to choose from which will make you look absolutely stunning, so have fun searching and here is some advice to help you get just the right look.

To begin with are there any designers in particular that you personally prefer? It may save time to go directly to their website and see what they have on offer.

There are so many designers out there these days, but here are a couple of suggestions to get you started:

Karen Millen Cocktail Dresses
Jovani Cocktail Dresses

Even if you don’t have the budget to afford what they have on offer, you will at least be able to get a good idea of the style you like and then search other stores to see if they have something similar in your size.

Next, give some thought to what type of fabric you’d like. Especially when you are searching on the internet it pays to be specific and it saves plenty of wasted time sifting through irrelevant results.

Here are some ideas of the types of fabrics available to you:

•    Silk
•    Chiffon
•    Satin
•    Velvet

Once you have decided you can direct your search accurately by entering “silk cocktail dresses” or “satin cocktail dresses” for example, into Google or whichever is your preferred search engine to find instantly what shops are currently stocking these types of designer cocktail dresses.

The length for cocktail dresses is usually knee-length or just above. Any shorter and it becomes a mini! So saying, cocktail dresses can also be ankle length, but these are referred to as ‘ballerina length’.

If you have been invited to a Cocktail Party either length of these semi formal dresses will suffice.

If you choose a plain style of designer cocktail dresses you might want to jazz it up a little by choosing an elegant purse that stands out from the crowd, perhaps in the same color, but with some intricate beading or even sequined design.

Shoes in black or similar colored to your dress will go nicely. Remember that your shoes will stand out noticeably in a cocktail dress so you will want to be sure that if they are not new, they have been nicely polished and looking on top form.

High heels look great with designer evening dresses, but if that is not your thing don’t be shy about wearing flats or something with a smaller or wedge heel. Cocktail parties are not usually sitting down affairs and being kind to your feet will certainly pay off in the future! If your feet are not used to high heels you will be in for a night of agony so I hope that you won’t be tempted.