LaPointe Cocktail Dresses: Minis and Midis Worth Owning

LaPointe is best known for floor length gowns, but some of its most useful pieces are shorter. The cocktail dress is where the house signatures, the feathered cuff, the bias satin, the cowl neck, the rhinestone fringe, turn up on a length you can wear to a party on a Tuesday. This guide covers the LaPointe mini and midi dresses in stock at Luxury Shoes , and how to wear each one to a cocktail dress code.

What does cocktail attire mean?

Cocktail attire means a dress between the knee and the mid calf, a dressy jumpsuit, smart separates in a festive fabric. It sits between business wear and black tie: more polished than a day dress, less formal than a gown. The fabric matters as much as the length. Satin, silk, crepe, sequin and lace all read as cocktail; cotton jersey and linen usually do not.

For the full rules, read our guide to cocktail attire for women.

The LaPointe satin shift with feathers

This is the dress most people picture when they hear the name. The Satin Shift Dress With Feathers in Black is a straight, knee length satin shift with deep feathered cuffs. The shape is simple, so the feathers carry the whole outfit. It is easy to wear: no waist to fit, no neckline to manage.

It comes in a wide colour range, including Dark Teal, Sand, Cinder and Berry. Sand and Cinder are the most versatile; Dark Teal is the strongest colour for an evening party.

The bias satin midi

A midi in bias satin is the most flattering cocktail length there is, because the bias cut follows the body without gripping it. The Satin Draped Neck Bias Dress With Feathers in Emerald has a cowl neck at the front and feathers at the hem. The Satin Draped Neck Bias Dress With Slit in Mahogany is the plainer version with a slit for walking. Both suit a cocktail wedding, a gallery opening and a dinner.

For a sleeveless midi, the Satin Drape Neck Sleeveless Dress in Cinder is a draped neck slip in a grey mauve that works year round.

The embellished mini

For a party where you want to be noticed, the Rhinestone Fringe Boatneck Mini Dress in Black / Bronze is a boat neck mini covered in rhinestone fringe. It is the most festive dress in the range and it needs no jewellery. The Lightweight Satin Layered Mini Dress With Feathers in Mulberry is softer: layered satin with feathers at the hem.

The jersey and mesh dresses

Not every cocktail dress needs to be precious. The Mesh Draped Mini Dress in Mulberry is a draped mesh mini that packs into a handbag and does not crease. The Printed Mesh Off Shoulder Midi Dress in Leopard is an off shoulder leopard midi that works with a heel and a leather jacket. The Matte Viscose Halterneck Dress in Black is a clean halter in a matte jersey: the closest LaPointe gets to a little black dress.

Which LaPointe cocktail dress should you buy first?

If you want one dress you will wear ten times, choose the satin shift with feathers in a neutral such as Sand. If you need a cocktail wedding dress, choose a bias satin midi in a colour. If you want a party dress, choose the rhinestone fringe mini. If you travel, choose the mesh.

How do you style a LaPointe cocktail dress?

Keep the accessories quiet. The feathers, fringe and drape are the decoration, so add a simple heel, a small bag and one pair of earrings. With a feathered cuff, skip bracelets; they catch in the plumes. A sheer black tight works with the black shift and the fringe mini in winter.

For colder evenings, a tailored blazer over a slip dress works well. LaPointe makes the Satin Double Breasted Blazer in Black in the same satin as the dresses. Read about the LaPointe satin suit for more on the tailoring.

How do LaPointe cocktail dresses fit?

The shift dresses are straight and roomy; take your usual size. The bias satin pieces have ease through the hip. The jersey and mesh dresses stretch and sit closer. LaPointe sizes on the US ladder; Luxury Handbags shows UK sizes on every product page, and the LaPointe sizing guide has the full chart.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most popular LaPointe cocktail dress?

The Satin Shift Dress With Feathers, a straight knee length satin shift with deep feathered cuffs. It comes in many colours, including Black, Sand, Cinder, Dark Teal and Berry.

What length is a cocktail dress?

A cocktail dress falls between the knee and the mid calf. Minis are acceptable at most cocktail parties, and a midi is the safer choice for a cocktail wedding.

Are LaPointe dresses good for a cocktail wedding?

Yes. The bias satin midi dresses, such as the Satin Draped Neck Bias Dress, suit a cocktail wedding in colours such as Emerald, Mulberry and Mahogany. Avoid the cream and ivory pieces as a guest.

Does LaPointe make a little black dress?

The Matte Viscose Halterneck Dress in Black and the Satin Shift Dress With Feathers in Black are the closest LaPointe pieces to a little black dress, one plain and one with the house feather cuffs.

How should I accessorise a feathered dress?

Keep accessories minimal. Wear a simple heel, a small bag and one pair of earrings, and skip bracelets on a feathered cuff because they catch in the plumes.

How do LaPointe shift dresses fit?

The shift dresses are cut straight with room through the body, so most women take their usual size. LaPointe uses US sizing and Luxury Handbags shows the UK equivalent on each product page.

Read next

• LaPointe wedding guest dresses
• LaPointe feather dresses
• The LaPointe satin suit

Written by Gemma Deeks, Fashion Editor at Luxury Shoes .