In the following years, this dress was sometimes concurring fashion positions, sometimes instead forgotten: in 1956, a similar silhouette dress was part of the collection at Christian Dior, in 1964 with it experimented Pierre Cardin, while in 1986 it was embraced by Christian Lacroix; since then many other famous designers created a balloon dress, from the latest SS-2022 Collection look at Carolina Herrera and Oscar de la Renta, just to name some of my favorites.

Younger designers also embraced this silhouette dress, keeping its main characteristics as elegancy, complex cut, and defined shapes, but using other materials and transforming its concept from gown to casual style.

The balloon dress looks very romantic and feminine because of the lightweight voluminous fabric and playful cuts. It is a unique model, looking like no other. The bottom of the dress is inflated, and afterwards narrowed down. The “balloon” shape is given either from the waistline, or from the bust/shoulders along the entire length kept by the inner construction.

For a successful design of the balloon dress, matters not only the type of the material, which must be stiff enough to hold the shape, lie down softly, and flow with movement, but also how it is folded, pleated, and the lining underneath. All these aspects help keeping the shape of the dress and not loose the volume. The length of the dress can be from mini to maxi, but the knee length is considered to be the most harmonical and proportionate.

This dress is perfect for tall ladies. It hides very skillfully massive hips and a rounder belly, accentuating the chest line and legs. The fluffier and longer the skirt is, the shorter will look your legs, therefore the higher and thinner high heels you shall wear. Complete the look with a small purse on thin strap or a clutch. To keep the graceful and youthful look, wear unusual jewelry, like a unique cocktail ring, some delicate earrings, some original hairpins.

The balloon dress will be the perfect choice for different occasions, from events to cocktail hours, ballrooms, weddings, official dinners at the restaurant, clubs, and more. Pay attention on two aspects: one is the material, it must be qualitative, and second, it must fit your figure perfectly. Complete the look with a pair of open-toe high heels, a small and elegant handbag, and stylish jewelry. Choosing the dress for an evening event, follow by the unspoken rule: the more you uncover on the bottom, the more covered you shall keep the upper part.

It seems like, the name “cocktail dress” was introduced in the forties of the last century by Christian Dior. It was the outfit wear by ladies at semi-official events held at the end of the working day. Usually, it was a dress long to the knee, with deep décolleté, bold jewelry, and a sophisticated fur or a bolero. This was the outfit a lady was expected to wear at cocktail events, and afterward go to the theater or to dance clubs. The motto of the cocktail dress: femininity, elegance, and seductive.

Best wishes,

Nadiya 

MetropolitanMe Blogger