Investing in formal and cocktail dresses doesn’t have to feel painfully expensive for a one-time occasion – you can style your piece casually to get the most wear out of it possible! Cocktail dresses are the on the informal side of evening wear, which makes them perfect for integrating into your day to day outfits! Dressing a cocktail piece down isn’t all that complicated, it just takes a little tweaking and a few of the right accessories to get right. Read on for some seriously stylish casual cocktail dress outfits that will get you itching to pull yours out of the depths of your closet…
Oversized denim
An oversized, bomber cut denim jacket works wonders for making anything look casual! Grab a classic, mid-wash, vintage-looking jacket to throw on over your dress. Add a pair of chunky white sneakers and a cross body bum bag to channel a little bit of street style into your look. Some slick, thin cat-eye sunnies, a messy bun and a swipe of lip balm and you’re done! The perfect weekend look in seconds!
College Chic
Your cocktail dress can look stylishly casual, pretty and polished all at once! To channel the college chic look, reach for an oversized corduroy jacket or boyfriend fit blazer in a moody neutral or a creamy caramel tone. Next, grab your cutest pair of ankle height white socks – the more lace detailing, the better!
Slip into a pair of platform chunky dress shoes or some sophisticated brogues, put your hair in a ponytail and add a velvet black ribbon for an extra fashionable element. A satchel bag or leather backpack is the perfect finishing touch to this adorable yet chic outfit.
Night Vixen
Casual looks are perfect for fun nights out on the town or a dinner date! To make your cocktail dress night-time-yet-casual appropriate, start with some awesome knee-high boots. Avoid too much of heel to keep the look more low key and, if you can, try to find some wide fitting, looser boots in a vinyl black or burgundy.
Put on a leather biker jacket, slick your hair into a sleek low ponytail and swipe on some wine colour lipstick. A choker necklace or statement silver cuff to finish, and you’re ready for an unforgettable night!
Natural Accents
Natural materials and tones are perfect for giving a dress a softer, more daytime appropriate edge. Slip your feet into some hessian style woven sandals or Birkenstocks, carry an oversized basket bag, pile on the resin bangles and add some large tortoise sunglasses. Loose, mermaid waves, shimmering nude makeup and even a rope style belt tied around your waist will finish this beautifully elegant outfit off nicely.
Cosy Knitwear
You can absolutely wear your cocktail dress casually in the winter! Layer some sheer black tights, chunky heeled boots and a thick cashmere jumper for a cosy and cute outfit. If you need more protection, add a snuggly snood, knitted beanie and a dense wool jacket.
These are just some of the ways that you can totally transform your favourite cocktail dress to work for basically every occasion! A stunning, high-quality dress should be an investment piece, and knowing that you can style it for your everyday life means that you can feel more comfortable indulging a little bit. Styling is all about being thoughtful, conscious and staying true to your own personal tastes. Try out these options to see what feels the most you, you want to feel comfortable, fashionable and confident, always!