A cocktail dress is a dress that is suitable for semi-formal occasions, sometimes called cocktail parties, usually in the late afternoon, and usually with accessories. The term "cocktail dress" was first used by Christian Dior in 1948 to describe a business-casual dress, which allowed department stores to advertise specifically "cocktail" garments and accessories, increasing the growth of fashion stores. Cocktail attire is chic, sophisticated, and polished, but not full-on formal. It is meant to bridge the gap between day and night and is a blend between casual and formal. Cocktail wedding attire is a slightly more elevated dress code than semi-formal attire but is less formal than formal wedding attire (also known as black-tie optional) . For both dress codes, a suit is preferable for men, while women should opt for a cocktail dress or formal jumpsuit. A cocktail dress traditionally skews on the formal side, but it doesnt mean you need to wear a floor-length evening gown. While you might want to leave the mini skirt at home, its perfectly appropriate to wear a midi cocktail dress or something that hits just above the knee. To modernize the dress code, consider wearing a sleek jumpsuit, a chic suit, or a trendy skirt-and-top combo.