History of A Cocktail Dress

The cocktail dress must be the most versatile garments available to women. Sometimes known as a cocktail gown, this style defines a semi-formal dress that’s perfect for parties and black tie occasions. The cocktail dress has a hemline that ranges from above the knee to the ankle. Modern variants on the cocktail dress usually have hemlines that fall around the knee; gowns with hems that brush the ankle are usually considered maxi-dresses or evening gowns.
Variations on this semi-formal style have existed since the 1920s. In the beginning, these gowns were considered “late afternoon” attire. Christian Dior pioneered the use of the term “cocktail dress” in the late 1940s to describe the stylish outfits that women donned in the early evening. Since this was the time of day that work ended and cocktail drinking began, the term stuck as a succinct description of the style.
By the mid-20th century, cocktail dresses were sold as ideal costumes for semi-formal dances. While the short hemlines made these garments unsuitable for balls and formal dances, they caught on as party clothing. Full-skirted gowns looked elegant without restricting dancers’ legs.
By the 1980s, the cocktail dress had become a nearly ubiquitous style for semi-formal events. While short hemlines were worn during all hours of the day, the cocktail dress was still recognizable as a stylish and chic outfit. Modern cocktail dresses are recognizable not only by their length but the materials they are made with. While casual skirts are made of comfortable materials like cotton, denim and rough-spun wool, cocktail dresses are generally considered to be constructed of higher-quality fabrics. These gowns may include brocade, silk, superfine wool, metallic cloth, lace, satin, velvet and synthetic fabrics. Instead of creating a garment that is designed to be worn all day, modern designers strive to create variants on the cocktail dress that look sumptuous without the stiff formality of evening wear.