What EXACTLY is a cocktail dress? Can it be floor length?

Question

my friend says they are short, knee length, and fancy.

Answer 1

Your friend is right. Most floor length dresses aren't considered a cocktail dress.

Answer 2

Cocktail Dress Definition

Answer 3

Your friend is right, a Cocktail dress is knee legth or shorter. A floor length is an evening dress. If you do a google search for Cocktail Dresses you will get an idea what they look like.

Answer 4

Your friend is right and you are (almost). Floor length is a tad too long but ankle can pass.

A cocktail dress or cocktail gown is a dress worn at cocktail parties, and semi-formal but not "black tie" occasions.

The length of cocktail dresses varies depending on fashion and local custom. The length ranges from just above the knee to touching the ankle. When it is about two inches above the ankle it is called tea length and when it is almost touching the ankle it is called ballerina length, although ballerina length dresses usually fall into the evening gown category.

At semi-formal occasions, less elaborate, shorter-length cocktail dresses may be worn, when gentlemen are in dark suits. When men are in business suits, ladies also wear dress suits or "good" afternoon skirt and dresses.

In general, a dress was considered to be cocktail less by where the hem fell, but more by the level of sumptuousness the garment attained. Nowadays, this usually means a shorter dress but hemlines can change as does the fashion.

Answer 5

A cocktail dress or cocktail gown is a lady's dress worn at cocktail parties, and semi-formal but not "black tie" occasions.

The length of cocktail dresses varies depending on fashion and local custom. The length ranges from just above the knee to touching the ankle. When it is about two inches above the ankle it is called tea length and when it is almost touching the ankle it is called ballerina length, although ballerina length dresses usually fall into the evening gown category.

At semi-formal occasions, less elaborate, shorter-length cocktail dresses may be worn, when gentlemen are in dark suits. Prior to the mid 20th century this type of dress was known as 'late afternoon'. When gentlemen are in business suits, ladies also wear dress suits or "good" afternoon skirt and dresses.

At black tie occasions, a longer, full-skirted cocktail dress may be worn, although in the late 1960s and early 1970s short cocktail dresses were acceptable black tie attire.

By the 1980s a dress was considered to be cocktail less by where the hem fell, but more by the level of sumptuousness the garment attained.

In the mid-20th century, some couturiers began describing full-skirted cocktail gowns as "dancing costumes". These are suitable for formal dances but not for balls, or other white tie affairs, where ball gowns are worn.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocktail_dress

Answer 6

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What EXACTLY is a cocktail dress? Can it be floor length?
my friend says they are short, knee length, and fancy.

Answer 7

For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/axmzQ

Black tie means you would be required to wear a formal (floor-length or close to it) or a cocktail dress. I would go with the shorter, lace dress - sounds like a cocktail dress and sounds beautiful.

Answer 8

usually never floor length. I normally wear kneelength dres or dress pants and top. The attached article might be helpful. it has descriptions of what all the different types of attire are.

Answer 9

short, knee length, and fancy is just the way to put it! floor legth would not be your best bet! something fun, flirty, fancy!LOL:-) Wetseal has fabulous cocktail dresses!

Answer 10

check these cocktail dresses out
http://www.edressme.com/cocdres.html