A cocktail party dress should transform you from a business executive to a smart looking person who loves to party. These days, you have many different choices of attires to choose from. It all depends on the kind of party you are going to have. You need to check the invitation to look for terms like "semiformal", "black tie party" and choose your cocktail party attire accordingly. To sort out your confusion, we have compiled these cocktail party dress ideas. These ideas are sure to help you out to look perfect and make heads turn as you strut across the room. So go through our tips for cocktail party dress.

* The best bet for men is a decent pair of black trousers and a formal shirt. You can always team it up with casual blazers and dinner jackets. It depends on what kind of cocktail party you are going to. If it is an afternoon party, dresses are a bit casual and light. One can wear linen, cotton and other light fabrics for an afternoon party. Ladies can opt for off-shoulder dresses in cotton or linen.
* An evening cocktail party requires you to be much more classy and dressy. Guys can opt for a shimmery shirt with black, blue or any other dark colored pair of formal trousers. You can also go in for a black tie along with this attire. Accessorize with a good leather belt. Shoes have to be clean and shiny. Dirty or shabby shoes are a big no-no.
* Ladies can go for classy straight gowns or skirts of any length. The best option is to go for a knee length skirt with a dressy top. Do not choose a really formal long gown for an evening cocktail party. Keep it for wedding cocktail parties. Accessorizing is the key to make any costume look glamorous. Opt for a nice pair of earrings and an elegant neckpiece. Apply some make up and you are set to rock the party!
* In case of a dinner cocktail party, be at your formal best. It could also be a wedding cocktail party. Stick to your formal attires and you can never go wrong. If you have a color theme, stick to it. If the attire is mentioned on the invitation, plan accordingly and wear what is stated.