These parties usually began after 5:00 p.m.[2] Since guests are expected to walk around and meet people, clothes made for these occasions are often functional and comfortable.
However, unlike the strict, professional cuts of American-styled dresses, the French designed much looser and free flowing beach pajamas,[3][4] consisting of a silk top and palazzo pants, usually paired with a mid-calf-length wrap jacket or sheath.
American clients wanted a single dress that could be modified to fit several times of the day with the use of accessories.
After the Wall Street crash of 1929, private cocktail parties became more popular than corporate gatherings, as luxurious lifestyles were no longer seen as fashionable.
[3] After World War II, Dior came out with the "New Look", which consisted of a tight waistline, long hemlines, and fuller skirts.
[3] As French women traveled to wealthy resort cities, the designs of their cocktail dresses spread among the American elite.
[3] In addition, the jewelry would be worn along with hats: velvet, lace, or horsehair; little turbans or close-fitting caps of brocade, taffeta, or satin.
[7] Shoes were usually high heels, but evening satin sandals were also common and could be dyed to match the color of the dress.