The Origins of The Cocktail Dresses
The Origins of The Cocktail Dresses By Jesse Love Designer Christian Dior is credited with coining the term cocktail dress during the late-1940's, using the term in reference to early evening wear. Yet the style had actually been around since the mid-1920's. Cocktail parties first emerged during Prohibition, and were held in private homes or speakeasies. Contraband liquor was expensive, so of course most of the attendees were wealthy individuals who viewed the gatherings as chic social events. For the women attending, these drinking get-togethers were too formal for regular daywear, but too informal for true evening wear, so a new fashion evolved that was initially inspired by flapper dresses. Originally designed for younger women, the new cocktail dresses were short, and typically made from silk and layered chiffon. This allowed for the women to still look fashionable, without having to get too dressed up. These new dresses then prompted the development of unique cocktail acce...