The first party dresses were formal gowns that were worn by women of means during the 17th century. These dresses were designed specifically to wear at Court (in the presence of a monarch) and they took hours to "slip" into. The sack back, for example, was made of heavy, luxurious fabrics that were arranged in a series of box pleats that reached the floor and terminated in a modest train. The gown was so heavy that it required a hoop skirt (crinoline) to give it shape.
Styles became a lesser amount of conservative, as time handed. It was during the reign of Queen Victoria that the term "evening gown" first appeared. Again, there seemed to be no typical classification, but many designers agreed that evening gown had prolonged sleeves together with a hemline that went along to the ankles or carpet. Though it was still quite formal, these gowns were made of lighter materials and had fewer layers than their predecessors. Fashionable women even started to show some skin.
Formal gowns were readily available in sleeveless versions and with plunging, décolleté necklines. Strapless numbers came along a bit later as comfort and ease and efficiency started to sell. Women wanted party dresses they could actually party in. They wanted to dance the night away in fun and flirty gowns that could be worn to multiple events.
The Right Dress
Believe it or not, it's harder than ever for a woman to find the right dress for a specific event. After all, there were only a few dresses in earlier eras and dress codes were more clearly defined. When a woman received an invitation to a party at Court in Versailles, she knew exactly what to wear. But today, she must match her dress to each social occasion and event. Let us take a moment to review a few of the most popular dresses that can be worn to elegant and relaxed affairs.
Black Tie & White Tie
A black or white tie invitation calls for formal attire at all times. The guys must wear tuxedos and the girls must dress in formal evening wear. Friends should pay off shut down interest their hemlines, despite the fact that sleeveless or strapless gowns are simply okay. Ideally, the dress should fall to the floor (full-length), though tea-length dresses that reach the ankles are perfectly acceptable. But what truly sets the evening gown apart from a lesser dresses are the materials. An evening gown should be made from luxurious fabrics likevelvet and silk, chiffon or satin.
It is important to note that an evening gown is different from a ball gown. Ball gowns are typically sleeveless, strapless and still have skirts. They are often seen at high school proms and at formal dances. The evening gown, on the other hand, may have sleeves, halters, even straps. It is available in every silhouette, including mermaid, trumpet, A and sheath-line.
Office Party
Many working women agonize over what to wear to a party held at work. Someone really should attire conservatively if business clientele and employees will undoubtedly be enrolling in, as a rule. Formal business attire or evening wear is appropriate. Having said that, in case the party is relaxed, i.e., merely the team are going to be attending, someone can use more or less everything she would like. The classic little black dress often makes an appearance at casual business parties, especially during the holiday. Cocktail dresses are also welcome, as are shirts, sweaters, blouses, pants and many more informal attire.
Semi-Formal
The most popular semi-formal events are dinner and cocktail parties with friends. Dress regulations are typically comfortable at these get-togethers, though a t-tee shirt and denim jeans will be totally unsatisfactory. Super short skirts would also be out of bounds. The top dress to put on towards a cocktail party is usually a cocktail costume, as you may just imagine. The hemline should really go down under knees, but apart from that, there are really no guidelines. A girl should feel free to wear a dress that makes her feel comfortable, even sexy. meal and Cocktail parties are also the perfect time to break out a few tasteful accessories, since cocktail dresses tend to be a bit plain. Designer shoes, clutch purses, jewelry and colorful shawls can all be used to complement an understated dress
