Please dress me in "Lite Cocktail"

July 1, 2018 4:04 PM

My cousin got married! Yay! Her wedding reception is requesting a dress code of "lite cocktail". I am completely stumped!

I find myself vacillating between funeral (slightly large black wrap dress with tulip hem that I last wore at my mom's funeral), eccentric (envision the first dress in the 2nd row down in bright yellow) or 30's slinky. None of them seem quite right for a reception in Manhattan in mid-July.

And I really HATE most of the dress styles I see in the stores these days. Budget is $300.

Reception location is Otto Enoteca.

Please hope me.

posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (20 answers total)

i think either one of the dresses you linked would be fine.
posted by poffin boffin at 4:12 PM on July 1, 2018 [4 favorites]

I think your "eccentric" choice is probably along the right lines. (Was your cousin at your mom's funeral? She likely wouldn't notice, but if it were me, I'd feel odd wearing that one.)
posted by lazuli at 4:13 PM on July 1, 2018 [4 favorites]

Love the eccentric choice! Go for that and have fun!
posted by tipsyBumblebee at 4:28 PM on July 1, 2018

Best answer: "cocktail" for dresses means hemlines closer to the knee than the ankle. but "lite" means they won't kick you out or give you disapproving looks no matter what and nobody really minds.
posted by queenofbithynia at 4:55 PM on July 1, 2018 [24 favorites]

I agree with queenofbithynia. Otto is, ultimately, a pizza joint.
posted by praemunire at 5:09 PM on July 1, 2018

Either "eccentric" or "30s" would be good.
posted by airmail at 5:14 PM on July 1, 2018

Best answer: Whenever someone gives a made-up "quirky" dress code without any further direction, it means you should be as eccentric as you can be. If they don't like what you decide to wear, they should have provided a more conventional dress code.
posted by kevinbelt at 5:22 PM on July 1, 2018 [12 favorites]

Best answer: I think they just don't want anybody to think pizza and dress casually. You obviously have a solid understanding of what's required. The dresses you linked would work well.
posted by theora55 at 5:23 PM on July 1, 2018 [3 favorites]

Response by poster: Linked options are what I already have in my closet. Absolutely open to sleeveless and shorter lengths!
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 5:30 PM on July 1, 2018

I hesitate to recommend a specific dress style not knowing your body type, but, say, a Boden summer wrap dress would be suitable, or any of their less casual dresses, really. They're having a big sale through this weekend (?). Should be within your budget.
posted by praemunire at 5:38 PM on July 1, 2018

Both links are great & you couldn't go wrong with either. I'd go with the 30s slinky one -- that's just lovely! Better to wear something you already have and feel comfortable in, I think.

You would not be out of place in Manhattan on a July evening in either one. Cocktail does not always mean a dress above the knee -- you can even wear dressy trousers for cocktail! Mid-length dresses are totally fine.

Also that restaurant looks dark, so... it'll be dark!
posted by mochapickle at 5:41 PM on July 1, 2018 [5 favorites]

For a summer NYC wedding cocktail party that has “lite” attached to it — sleeveless and shorter definitely. That location implies a pretty mainstream fashion sensibility for your cousin’s social set. At a beer garden in Greenpoint your illustrated options would be cute but at this event they’d seem a bit frumpy.
posted by MattD at 5:51 PM on July 1, 2018 [3 favorites]

Every wedding I've ever attended as a guest, I did so in a dress from Rent the Runway. Essentially every cocktail appropriate dress they rent will cost you less than $300 (the majority significantly less), and the range of what's available is far more broad than what's currently in stores. I agree with others that "lite cocktail" probably means cocktail type dresses or outfits (I agree that stylish trousers and blouse would be acceptable) but erring on the side of slightly more, rather than less, casual.
posted by telegraph at 5:52 PM on July 1, 2018 [1 favorite]

Those are both great and look perfectly appropriate.
posted by otherwordlyglow at 6:28 PM on July 1, 2018 [1 favorite]

Those are cool dresses and I think the "lite" is just to assure people they can adjust "cocktail" to their comfort level, like not wear heels or jackets if they don't want to.
posted by fingersandtoes at 7:35 PM on July 1, 2018 [4 favorites]

You're stumped because "lite cocktail" is kinda not a thing. I mean, it's not a recognized dress code with rules that have Ramifications for Your Place In Society. Look, basically, wear whatever you want that's neither formal nor jeans but looks like you're trying to make an effort.

All the things you to which you linked are fine. Do you and your sense of style.
posted by desuetude at 11:41 PM on July 1, 2018

To me, "lite cocktail" seems to want you to wear a cocktail-level of formality dress, but that they're aware that it's July in concrete Manhattan and you can take steps to ensure your comfort in the heat. Of the options you present, I would choose the 30's slinky because it's more form-fitting, and wear sheer makeup and sandals.
posted by Liesl at 7:00 AM on July 2, 2018 [1 favorite]

Since you said that none of these are appropriate for Manhattan mid-July (I'm assuming you meant in terms of weather and comfort), I would suggest you get a new dress that will be comfortable for Manhattan mid-July. Your examples are fine, so I think you have a good grasp of what the occasion calls for, so let your instinct lead you and I agree with others you can stay sleeveless and you can go shorter if you wish.

But if you are struggling with gravitating towards anything in the shops, I would vote for whatever makes you most comfortable given the weather because all three are fine. I would keep hair, shoes, makeup and jewellery styling minimal in keeping with the "lite" and that it's a pizza place.
posted by like_neon at 8:59 AM on July 2, 2018 [2 favorites]

Though Otto sells pizza, I wouldn't call it a "pizza place." It doesn't have fluorescent lighting and linoleum like the corner pizza joint. I agree with the above comments that "lite cocktail" seems to imply wear something a little nicer and sexier than what you'd wear to work. That may mean a shorter dress, one with more flounces, or a racier neckline. Just remember that it's a wedding reception, so perhaps not quite as fancy as what you'd wear to a wedding, just a little more casual (think daytime vs nighttime).
posted by honey badger at 7:47 AM on July 4, 2018

Response by poster: Thanks everyone. I am notorious for not being able to read a room (or a dress code) well, so the confidence boost is very welcome. I also consulted the host of the party (my aunt) and will be going with the 30's style dress.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 2:53 PM on July 7, 2018 [2 favorites]