Cocktail Attire?

How do you define cocktail attire? That is a question I have been asked at least 15 times in the past 2 weeks.

Well......A cocktail is defined as....any of various short mixed drinks, consisting typically of gin, whiskey, rum, vodka, or brandy, with different admixtures, as vermouth, fruit juices, or flavorings, usually chilled and frequently sweetened.

Attire means....clothes or apparel, esp. rich or splendid garments.

Therefore, I define "cocktail attire" as a splendid garment to be worn while drinking a short mixed drink that is frequently sweetened. That is what I will now tell my guests for Saturday's shindig....aka my brother and future sister-in-law/best friend's couple cocktail shower party fiesta.

I've heard several variations on the question at hand. Do I have to wear a tie? Can I wear pants if I'm a woman? Is a tophat cocktail appropriate? What about an ascot and smoking jacket? It's interesting to me since this is a topic of fashion in the 21st century. Back in the day...everyone wore hats, women never even thought of wearing pants and I'm fairly certain cocktail attire was ballroom-esque. I would love to go back to the 20's fashion era when Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaperelli designed for women who loved to dress up. And if only men still loved to put on their fancy pants like they used to. It seems like suits and ties are strictly reserved for job interviews, my current place of employment and funerals. How do we get back to a time of dressing for the ultimate occasion?

I'll have you know that while Jackie O created an amazing trend of the put-together woman in the 60's...JFK ruined dressing up for the menfolk. He hated hats and therefore refused to wear one. It all went downhill from there. Maybe if I send Obama and Biden some fedoras, they can re-introduce the man-about-town trend for the U.S.

My point is.......wear what you want to my fabulous cocktail party because there is nothing a man hates more than being told what to wear. However, my suggestions are...

1. Pleated pants are no man's friend
2. If you can't wear white shoes after Labor Day (dumb rule), you shouldn't be able to wear LINEN either
3. Do not overshadow the bride....she's vicious.