What Is the Difference Between a Ball Gown and a Cocktail Dress?

A ball gown and a cocktail dress are alike in that they are dresses made of high-end, sometimes luxury fabrics, but, in many ways, that is where the similarity ends. Each is worn for a different occasion, falls to a different length and is complemented with different accessories.

Ball Gown

A ball gown is a dress with a full skirt, sometimes with an open back and low neck line, and it reaches at least to the ankles. A ball gown is the appropriate female clothing for social occasions calling for white tie apparel.

Cocktail Dress

A cocktail dress is a shorter-length dress that ranges from just below the knee to 2 inches above the ankle (tea length) or touching the ankle (ballerina length). A cocktail dress can be worn to a semi-formal event.

Where to Wear

Cocktail dresses are appropriate for parties, the theater, banquettes and other venues where less formal attire is acceptable. Ball gowns can be worn at formal evening weddings, diplomatic events, charity and debutante balls and award ceremonies.

Fabric

Ball gowns are made from such fabrics as velvet, silk, taffeta and brocade. Cocktail dresses are crafted from such materials as satin, chiffon and silk.

Accessories

Ball gowns are usually worn with a stole, opera-length gloves and a clutch bag. The must-have accessory for a cocktail dress is a clutch purse.

References

• Apparel Search: Ball Gown
• "Luxury Magazine": Cocktail Dress History
• Apparel Search: Cocktail Dress