Formal Party Dresses

Formal party wear for women requires a bit of thought, considering the wide range of styles, colors and fabrics available. Work out what suits your body shape, and how you can dress for a formal event.

How to Dress for a Formal Party

Formal parties are lots of fun, and most high street and designer shops will stock formal party dresses in plenty of sizes, including plus size and petite stores. There are plenty of special occasion that might warrant you wearing a formal dress, prom, Christmas, a cocktail party, a wedding or a graduation party.

Basic rules are that if it's a day event, you wear a brightly coloured dress, perhaps with a print, probably in a natural fabric. Then if it's a night event, you'll want to wear something a little more figure hugging, in a darker colour with no print.

But these are just the basics. Next, you need to consider your body shape and buy something that is appropriate for it, that will show it off to it's greatest advantage. Short formal party dresses might not look great on everyone, but make sure that you find a length that is flattering for you.

Different Types of Formal Parties

- Christmas - Formal Christmas party dresses don't always need to be red, but a little bit of sparkle is important to create a festive feel. Choose something that is rich and luscious, that you wouldn't wear any other time of the year. And top it all off with a Christmas party hat!

- Wedding - If you are not the bride in the wedding gown, then you might find it a challenge to choose an appropriate outfit. Stick with something ultra feminine, pretty and romantic. The mother of the bride should start thinking of the perfect outfit from the day the date is set, as choosing a hat and hairdo, formal skirt and jacket as well as helping your daughter will otherwise prove a little too difficult.

- Baby Shower - So much fun, baby showers vary in formality, some take place at a friend's home, some will be at a posh hotel, so dress accordingly. If you're the guest, make sure that the mother-to-be has the perfect maternity party dress; and take her shopping if she's really stuck for what to wear.

- Prom - Fun and a great chance to express your personality, choose a dress that's flirty and luxurious. Try on loads until you find the perfect style for you, and make sure it fits properly so it looks just perfect on your special night.

- Graduation - Graduation parties vary entirely from a formal modest garden party, to a slightly more sexy club party. So, choose wisely! To your actual graduation wear a skirt that's just above knee length, and layer a shirt over your sparkly tee for later, keep heels in your car to change into for any evening events.

- Cocktail Party - Fun and flirtatious dresses are the best thing to wear, including your very own figure flattering Little Black Dress of course. If you've got a lot of cocktail parties to attend every year, check out the twice yearly sales on the high street for cheap discount party dresses. Choose fashion forward dresses that really show how on trend you are, and shop in stores you are intimidated by.

Decoding the Dress Code

One of the most confusing occasions to choose an outfit for; deciding what to wear to a semi-formal party is notoriously difficult. Start by decoding the dresscode, this will take all your ingenius spy skills! Start by checking photos of the event from last year, this will give you clues on how dressy you will need to be.

Then, ask your friends what they are going to wear to the event, so at least you won't be the only one who thought that smart jeans were ok (they rarely are, by the way)! Then, check with the host and hostess about the dress code, as they will know what level of formality they want at their party.

If you are still stuck, then choose a smart, but not glitzy, dress that you can accessorize up or down. Make sure your hair is gorgeous, but not in a complicated updo, instead choose simple and sleek straight hair, or big glamourous curls. Choose shoes rather than boots, that compliment the outfit well; remember heels are always ok. Take a little shrug, waist belt and sparkly necklace that will instantly change your outfit up a level, and keep it from looking too informal.

Whatever you do, don't pick a floor length gown (with the slight exception of summer maxi dresses at garden parties) and don't wear silk or other expensive looking materials, which might looking too dressy. Keep the look practical and modest...perhaps a vintage day dress, which will look special but not over the top.