DRESSCODE: COCKTAIL CATWALK

"I am the world's last barman poet!
I see America drinking the fabulous cocktails I make.
America is getting stinking on something I stir or shake.
The Sex On The Beach, the Schnapps made from peach!
The Velvet Hammer, the Alabama Slammer!"
- Brian Flanagan

Enjoying the art of an expertly crafted cocktail is a lifestyle. And also one of our favorite movies. It's an aesthetic that demands to see and be seen, one that calls for attitude, style, and a little leg. Shortened hemlines, sculptural silhouettes, luxe fabrics, and a little flair all help get us in the mood to imbibe in style. From pre-dinner drinks to after-hours partying and wedding vows, these shorties work double shifts for you. Keep scrolling through to see our fave short sidecars worthy of Cocktails and Dreams.

VICKY TIEL Floral Watercolor Cocktail Dress
SAINT LAURENT Red Satin Heels *Available In-Store

This spicy little floral off the shoulder frock by Vicky Tiel is a complex cocktail, at once both sweet and sassy, flirty and demure. Full of sexy innocence, we're in love with the longline boned bodice that hugs the torso like a long drink of water. Silk charmeuse classes up the tight silhouette, and we'd love to wear this to our beach wedding on Kokomo or sipping tiki drinks in Jamaica, peeping out Tom Cruise.

EMANUEL UNGARO Parallèle Sequin Lace Cocktail Dress
RICHARD KERR Silver Heart Earring *Available In-Store
DOLCE & GABBANA Patent Slingback Heel *Available In-Store

A Little Black Dress should be in every woman's arsenal, and is the unofficial uniform of cocktail hour. This classic LBD by Emanuel Ungaro is elevated with metallic lace, sequins, and rhinestone straps- but let's not forget that absolutely perfect silhouette. Cut and fit are EVERYTHING- especially in an LBD. Take this timeless, ageless wonder to a classy joint where the barmen are poets.

VICKY TIEL Sweetheart Polka Pouf Dress
RICHARD KERR Crystal Zebra Drop Earring
 

This sweet polka dotted pouf dress by Vicky Tiel announces your arrival and tells everyone that the night can finally begin! Perfect for an offbeat 80's wedding, we think this dress makes the perfect rehearsal dinner dress for today's fun-loving bride. Not getting married? We'd top it with a leather jacket and hit up our favorite spot so we can soak up the attention.

ESCADA Satin Contrast Tuxedo Jacket
RICHARD KERR Black Rhinestone Tassel Earring
DOLCE & GABBANA Patent Slingback Heel *Available In-Store

Bigger IS better, especially when it comes to this baby pink satin tuxedo jacket by Escada. We especially love it paired with a mini or hot short to show off those legs, though of course would look amazing with a tuxedo trouser or leather pant. We can imagine Bonnie rocking out in this power piece, flitting around to friends' art shows and gallery openings.

EVA CHUN Strapless Lace Cocktail Dress
VINTAGE Red Crystal Earring *Available In-Store
SAINT LAURENT Red Satin Heels *Available In-Store

The very straight and minimal cut of this strapless boned lace tube dress by Eva Chun is timeless. We could imagine one of Brian Flanagan's bar babes rocking this little dress at one of the trendy NYC bars, or even at the beach bar down in Jamaica- but could just as easily picture it in Cher's closet in Clueless or Carrie's NYC walk up. We bet you can picture it in yours as well.

ROBERT-DAVID MORTON Diamonds & Pearls Silk Dress
VINTAGE Beaded Spike Drop Earring
SAINT LAURENT Red Satin Heels *Available In-Store

This pearl and rhinestone studded silk dress by Robert-David Morton is our obvious choice for a fun wedding dress. This strapless silk jersey works as a fabulous low-key wedding sheath or fun after party dress and short enough to move in, yet long enough to keep it classy. The fitted sweetheart style is also perfect for date night with a few accessory swaps- we'd love it with a crossbody chain bag and leather jacket.

LEONARD Carnation Cocktail Dress
VINTAGE Rhinestone Flower Earring *Available In-Store
 

Any cocktail lover needs to have a great show-stopping piece in their closet; you never know when you'll need to make any entrance or steal the show at a new hotspot. This carnation-trimmed strapless dress by Leonard is a little bit sculptural and gives us Bjork vibes- and while it's a bona fide cocktail dress, we'd love to wear this to our own flower-covered fantasy whirlwind wedding. (and of course would wear it later for drinks!)