cocktail dresses 50s 1950s Dresses: Party Cocktail parties were big in the 1950s Women Retro Style 1950s Cocktail

The classic oxford and derby dress shoes are obvious choices, but you can also mix in brogues, as well as casual dress shoes such as loafers and monk straps

So shorts dont need to be consigned to the no pile for cocktail wear

Christian Dior popularized the modern cocktail dress concept in the 1940s, creating elegant knee-length garments that became staples in womens wardrobes

Our picks include navy sequined gowns and blue mother-of-the-bride dresses with sleeves, as well as sleeveless styles to help you find the perfect navy blue gown for the Mother of the Bride

For a more advanced technique with a lined finish, view the illustration guide below step eight

I have to say, I hadn't known it was the dress' 20th birthday - that was news to me