Exclusive Cocktail Dresses by Talbot Runhof
Another invitation has just landed on your table – an elegant cocktail event, dress required. As soon as the dress code is announced, panic often sets in: instead of an everyday look, short, festive cocktail dresses are suddenly in demand! But don’t worry – fortunately, there are so many incredibly beautiful, elegant cocktail dresses to choose from. At Talbot Runhof, we offer a wide range of styles in this category: from sexy party dresses and cocktail dresses for more conservative occasions to understated styles for weddings and family celebrations – all crafted from beautiful, glamorous materials. Shimmering jacquards with striking patterns, sequins or fluid, elegant satin looks – everything here is decidedly festive. Be surprised by a classic designer cocktail dress and inspired by other glamorous styles. This is how you’ll celebrate perfectly styled, even in a longer cocktail dress, late into the night and enjoy unforgettable moments. You can find out how to always strike the right note in our styling tips below.
Styling Tips – How to Style Cocktail Dresses Elegantly
- Let’s swing! Cocktail dresses and dancing events simply belong together. Especially when there is dancing involved, knee-length, festive cocktail dresses are an absolute joy to wear. You will look particularly elegant while still being able to dance late into the night – without the risk of tripping. Our tip: Make sure your shoes have a secure and comfortable fit!
- Beautiful cocktail dresses alone are sometimes not enough, especially in cooler seasons, when the right accessories become essential. While a cocktail dress may look festive, it rarely provides enough warmth. A matching stole can replace a jacket, especially if you choose a warming material. How about, for example, our one-arm cashmere stole?
- Contrasts: Of course, simple cocktail dresses look elegant on their own, but when it’s time to celebrate, at least the accessories can make a statement. A reserved dark blue cocktail dress, for instance, gets a cool twist with accessories in vibrant turquoise.
- Less is more: When your cocktail dress is sparkling and eye-catching, simple sandals are usually the better choice. In this case, avoid overly opulent jewelry and opt for a sleek, minimal look. If you’re celebrating New Year’s Eve in a chic cocktail dress, however, a little more glamour is of course welcome.
- For cooler days: When cocktail dresses are required even in autumn, the question arises: how to style them? An unusual mix of materials can be both a practical and stylish solution. A knitted stole or a uniquely cut, short chunky-knit cardigan creates an exciting contrast to an elegant look.
- Wedding day: Evening dresses, cocktail dresses or day dresses – as a guest at a wedding, any look can be a success as long as you respect a few guidelines. High-quality cocktail dresses impress when they are not cut too low, remain refined and leave the spotlight to the bride. Delicate pastel tones or subtle floral prints will still make you glow. A pink cocktail dress highlights bridesmaids and maids of honor beautifully, especially in flowing fabrics. The chiffon cocktail dress is a true classic here. The mother of the bride, on the other hand, makes an excellent choice with a cocktail dress in satin or lace – as long as it’s not black. This color is generally considered taboo for such occasions unless explicitly requested in the dress code.
- Jewelry matters: Especially when celebrating a wonderful summer party in a cocktail dress, color is more than welcome. A tip: Even striking pieces like a cocktail dress in orange or yellow appear elegant when styled with jewelry in a similarly warm gold tone.
Which Cocktail Dress for Which Occasion?
Styling elegant dresses for a special occasion or evening always works best when you keep a few criteria in mind. The first is the dress code. Are there specific instructions to follow? Sometimes a color is required – at a white party, for example, a white cocktail dress is expected; at a Spanish-themed night, a red cocktail dress may be obligatory. Of course, you can choose to go your own way and wear the universally valid black cocktail dress, but a little spirit of experimentation is always welcome.
If there is no official dress code, common sense applies. Is it a private gathering, or are you attending a more conservative event? Depending on the atmosphere, your look can be more relaxed or more refined. A sexy backless sequin cocktail dress is perfectly fine for a Christmas party with friends, whereas for a formal art society dinner, a short, elegant black dress may be the better choice.
Whether party dresses, cocktail dresses with a subtle neckline or playful tulle and lace styles – cocktail dresses always make women shine when they are made from special materials. Even a beige cocktail dress will turn heads if it is crafted from satin duchesse and beautifully shimmers. This is how even softer colors gain a glamorous touch, and suddenly a gray or brown cocktail dress can easily rival one in vibrant red.
Occasions Where a Cocktail Dress Is a Must
Prom or Graduation Ball: Strictly speaking, wearing a cocktail dress to a prom is not an obligation – it’s more of a relief. Even though floor-length evening gowns are very popular, the knee-length version is simply easier to dance in. A halter-neck cocktail dress is a modern and youthful choice. Feel free to embrace color in this setting: a pink or bright green cocktail dress is striking and stands out from the crowd. Flowing slip dresses or a sleek, silk sheath dress are real classics, perfect for graduation ceremonies and award events.
Christmas Party: Ho ho ho – the festive season is approaching, along with the perfect opportunity to make an entrance in a cocktail dress. At a celebration with clients and colleagues, your styling should be more reserved: opt for a classy and elegant look with a subtle neckline and darker shades such as a cocktail dress in wine red or purple. At more conservative events like these, a long-sleeved cocktail dress is also more comfortable to wear – especially since a sleeveless dress can feel quite chilly on the way home in winter. A shimmering velvet cocktail dress with long sleeves is a beautiful and particularly stylish choice for the cold season. For a party with friends, on the other hand, your look can be more daring, show more skin and sparkle more boldly.
Wedding Celebration: Whether you are the mother of the bride, a maid of honor or an enthusiastic wedding guest – here, the cocktail dress can and should be celebrated in an understated way. You never want to upstage the bride, so always choose a cocktail dress that is eye-catching yet still restrained. Excellent options include a pastel satin cocktail dress, a feminine A-line dress with fresh floral prints or more unconventional looks such as an elegant jumpsuit. A V-neck cocktail dress is also perfectly acceptable. However, you should avoid overly deep necklines and extremely high slits if you want to stay in the bride’s good graces for many years to come.
Cultural Event: Here the atmosphere is somewhat more conservative, but even high-necked looks can become true statement pieces through exceptional materials and the right accessories. Especially with darker fabrics, shoes and bags in vibrant colors become true highlights at any vernissage. Another safe choice for all kinds of occasions is the iconic little black dress – understated and sophisticated. This classic will accompany you for years to come: in minimalist cuts, with a high neckline, long sleeves and a slim skirt, it can be styled in new and exciting ways time and time again.
Are you looking for an elegant cocktail dress, sheath dress or day dress? Visit us in one of our boutiques in Munich, Berlin, Düsseldorf or Zurich – or shop conveniently from home. Our customer service team is also happy to assist you online in finding your perfect new glamour look.