- Worn by fashionable women to usher in the holiday season, a red cocktail dress is a late autumn favorite. During the Christmas and New Year party seasons, red evening dresses are prominently featured in celebrity style magazines and department store window displays. The best time to buy a red cocktail dress is during late October through early January when jewel tone dresses are plentiful.
- Red cocktail dresses range in color from crimson and deep red to ruby and garnet. Dress shapes can vary from empire to strapless, while fabric choices range from chiffon and silk shantung to velvet and taffeta. To extend the value of the dress and allow for more wearings each year, select a cocktail dress in a fabric--like silk or rayon--that is seasonless. Cocktail garments designed in velvet and wool crepe are best worn during late fall and early winter.
- Determine a firm budget for your red dress purchase. Before shopping in department stores or boutiques, peruse this season's selections of dresses online to determine the retail price of the dress. Cocktail dress prices can start at $75, if purchased at a consignment store or off-price retailer, but can cost in the low thousands of dollars if purchased at a high-end department store.
- Consider your makeup when buying a red cocktail dress. Find a shade of lipstick and blush that complements your dress rather than matching it exactly. Prevent buyer's remorse by trying on the cocktail dress with your heels and accessories in the store. Pay close attention to your hair, eye color and body type; buy a dress that not only flatters your figure but matches your skin tone beautifully.
- Shop in bridal stores and designer outlets to find a wide selection of cocktail dresses at low prices. If your dress requires alterations, use your neighborhood dry cleaner as a low-cost option for tailoring. Purchase a shawl or pashmina to use as an evening wrap or as an evening coat alternative. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully when cleaning your red cocktail dress to extend the life of the garment and prevent discoloration.
