We asked stylists to crack the cocktail dress code.

Naturally, this calls for a cocktail dress.

But what are cocktail dresses, and how are they different from every othertype of dressout there?

woman in cocktail dress

Photo:Phamai Techaphan/Getty Images

What Are Cocktail Dresses?

Cocktail dresses are shorter, semi-formal dresses that typically range from mini skirt length to just below the knee.

Expert Tips for Styling Cocktail Dresses