January 12, 2011 (Sampurn Wire): Cocktail attire is considered to be one of the most innovative ways of dressing up in modern times. Gone are the days, when one could dress up casually for office and then come back home for a leisurely bath and dress up in all finery before leaving for a special party, event or get together.

Well, modern lifestyles have brought about an enormous amount of pressure on all to look good at all times despite being anywhere at any given point of time.

Thus it is very important to live life with utmost confidence and being dressed just right at every event possible. So, the term cocktail attire has been derived which is actually dressing up just a little bit more than the usual office look and something a little less than the party look.

Now what exactly should be worn to give the right cocktail look?

Well to begin with, men can get into their formal trousers and shirt during the day and adding up a tie and a blazer in the evening to give a more formal look. However, if a coat or a blazer is too much of a headache then a good jacket would also be a great idea, provided the jacket has some added classy look to it.

Shoes should be well polished, socks should be washed and fresh and handkerchiefs should be neat and clean. To add a little zing cuff links can be added to give a dressier look. A great wrist watch looks simply dashing, so do invest in one which has a classy look.

Women can choose between the trousers, skirt or the dress depending on the comfort and the look of the outfit. Knee length skirts or dresses look quite chic at any given point of time. If that is not your comfort zone stick to trousers and a dressy shirt or top preferably in fine fabric with a little embroidery and some great stitching. Footwear should be chosen with care though. Stick to as much comfort as you can.

The trick is to choose a pair of shoes with slight heels which add poise as well as are comfortable at all times. Winter months allows the closed shoes to be worn with lan just have a blast with flashy footwear during these months, which are womans priority!

--Niky Sharma / Sampurn Wire