off the shoulder wedding dress Nox Anabel E1043W Long Satin Picture Color Glamorous Mermaid Off-the-Shoulder Chapel Train

And while you could easily pull a color from the cheerful print to coordinate your accessories with, a neutral accent as the royal proves with her timeless espadrille wedges is another foolproof way to go

If the event is a little too casual for cocktail attire, but not quite so casual that you could get away with overly casual or festive attire, its a good candidate for the dressy formal dress code

For a classic look, opt for black tights or brown opaque tights paired with a knee-length dress and ankle boots

Short formal dresses with open-back details remain especially popular for cocktail parties because they combine ease of wear with a refined appearance