Semi Formal vs. Cocktail Attire: The Key Differences Explained The Ultimate Guide to Cocktail Dress Attire for Women Adrianna Papell The Girlfriend's Guide to Cocktail Attire: A semi formal dress code for evening events, weddings, and upscale gatherings. Think: dressy but not stuffy. Cocktail attire has fewer rules than Black Tie and White when in doubt, dress for cocktail attire! a midi length cocktail dress is perfect for so many events. if you ever receive an invitation without a dress code, cocktail attire should be your go to. Decode the dress code: Festive Cocktail!, This is a dressier code, combining the elegance of cocktail attire with elements of holiday festivities. Its typically for evening events or parties