What Exactly Constitutes "Cocktail Attire?"

Not only did fashion It Girl Alexa Chung follow the short-dress rule, but she defined it with her own style. Instead of wearing a garment that was tight or sultry, she went for a feminine piece with decorative florals and a quaint little bow. The metallic material and cage heels give the outfit its party-ready stamp.

When I think of cocktail party–appropriate pantsuits, I immediately picture a sleek and clean blazer with matching trousers. Enter Kourtney Kardashian with her plunging neckline. The oversize fit and tapered pants are sexy without exposing too much. (Though, if you're going to a party that is a little more conservative, you might opt to wear a silk camisole underneath your blazer.) Accessorize with a pair of heels.

Fancy, elaborate gowns like this are best saved for galas and occasions that require a strict and formal dress code. There's no need to be this extra because at a cocktail party, you simply want to move from the dance floor to the bar easily without having to pick up your dress's train. Or, is this just me?

You'll find many women choose neutral or dark colors for cocktail parties since they're easy to wear, but give brighter garments a try. I recommend using Emma Roberts' Vanity Fair outfit as inspiration. The cap sleeve red minidress is eye-catching and bold. Her shoes match the dress perfectly. And a red lip seals the deal. Roberts' party attire is proof red on red on red is a powerful ensemble.

Yara Shahidi masters the quintessential cocktail look: the little black dress. The LBD works especially well for company parties or your friend's last-minute birthday celebration. Make your dress stand out with a statement shoe. Shahidi chose a cutout stud embellished heel, but you can go for something feathered or colorful, like this Sam Edelman red pump.

A cocktail party isn't the place to flash your bralette and abs. Save the NSFW outfits when you're at a bachelorette party or on vacation.

Cocktail attire has widened beyond the scope of just dresses. Jumpsuits, like this satin emerald-colored option Blake Lively is wearing, work when the fabric is fancy and the look, rich. We also recommend black one-pieces with cutouts or sequins. Switch it up at your next office party with a jumpsuit.

You want to above baring too much at the party. Tiny skirts and barely-there tops, even when worn under a blazer, aren't the appropriate pieces for a cocktail party where you might run into your boss or worst, your boss's boss. Even if the invite list is friends-only, these pieces don't bring the level of sophistication a semi-formal event demands.