Cocktail parties are a great opportunity to show off your glamorous side while also having fun and without being too formal, but they might send any of us in a frenzy over what to wear. Like any occasion, there are some more appropriate styles than others but it shouldn’t give you pre-party anxiety (aside from the excited kind). Cocktail parties are about having fun while still being a little glitzed up and feeling glamorous but it doesn’t need to be stressful.

The fun thing about cocktail parties is that these days it can mean a large, swanky catered to-do or a small get-together with a group of twenty friends at a fancy restaurant. This means there is a lot of room to play with and you don’t have to wear a formal dress. Wear a chiffon dress, mix and match a formal top with a loud patterned pencil skirt, or even sport an elegant romper with heels and a hot clutch purse. Depending on the type of get-together the cocktail party is, you can determine what would be appropriate or not, but some things tend to work for any occasion.

The little black dress should be a staple of any girl’s closet, but it doesn’t have to be the backup. This little number can be dressed up or down depending on how you choose to accessorize it and can be worn to any sort of glitzy party, no matter the level of glam. The little black dress is safe and secure and can be daring and bold if you want it to be, though it doesn’t necessarily have to. But when it comes to wearing anything else, if you aren’t sure what to go with or if you’d be dressing up or down, be sure to go with an upscale fabric. That way you’ll look chic no matter what, whether its chiffon, silk, or lace.

And let’s not forget about accessorizing. Cocktail jewelry seems like a no brainer when it comes to accessorizing for a party and they can be worn with just about anything as well. Depending on the type of dress you’re wearing (color, cut and neckline) a classy statement necklace is also a great addition that can either add some flare or some class depending on the type of eye-catching look you’re going for. If you want to go for bold, try a brightly colored or patterned geometric necklace, and if you want to emit more of a glamorous aura go for a gold and/or beaded piece. Chicastic has a large variety of cocktail party accessories. Buy what suits your style now!