This approach can equally be used to excuse yourself for sporting a Lanvin cocktail dress to the office, when you are merely showing off ("I have a party later and can't be bothered to change").

WSJ: Tina Gaudoin on Style: Don We Now Our Gay Apparel

If it's a cocktail dress, wear the diamond studs, strip off your tights and jacket, put on the Louboutins and go.

WSJ: Tina Gaudoin on Style: Don We Now Our Gay Apparel

Taylor Swift wore a prim gold metallic floral cocktail dress by Jenny Packham to the pre-telecast awards before changing into something a bit more revealing for the red carpet.

NPR: AP Photos: Grammy Awards Feature Plenty Of Skin

Wearing a black cocktail dress, Sally Field said she believed the story of Lincoln appealed beyond America.

BBC: Stars come out for Lincoln European premiere

Despite having seen other women looking good in Topshop, I'm dubious that they can offer what I require cool, good-looking separates, plus a coat and a cocktail dress but I'm banking on the fact that Phelan, a fellow, ahem, middle-ager, knows what she's doing.

WSJ: Tina Gaudoin on Style: How to Wear Topshop Past 25

Meanwhile, Clinton's advisers tell CNN the president has not been informed of test results on Lewinsky's dark blue cocktail dress, which she claims has a stain proving a sexual relationship.

CNN: Lewinsky Prepares To Take Center Stage Thursday