Choosing women party dresses is always a daunting task, especially with the range and variety available at any brick-and-mortar or online store.

But before selecting one, consider these factors and the task will be made that much easier for you.

· Dress for the occasion: The formality of the occasion is the most important criteria for selecting women party dresses. Certain basic rules determine the formality of party dresses. Length, color, and fabric are the most critical ones. On one side of formality are the floor-length sweeping evening gowns. On the opposite end are the knee-length dresses for casual parties. Cocktail parties fall somewhere between the two.

· Color: Color is another factor that governs formality or otherwise. Dark and solid colors are generally reserved for evening wear while prints are more informal and casual. Certain colors like brown and grey are versatile and can be worn for almost any event or occasion. But certainly, the most flexible of all dresses for any event is the little black dress, made famous by Audrey Hepburn in the movie “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”. It is formal for most events while being chic and sophisticated.

· Fabric: Pay very close attention to the fabric of the dress. Cotton and denim are very casual and a strict no-no for not only cocktail parties but even semi-formal occasions. The fabric for women party dresses is usually satin, silk, rich brocade, or any other glossy synthetic fabrics. The quality of party dresses is usually judged by the fall and texture of the cloth and hence, you should be prepared to spend more if the party is formal.

· Cost and versatility: It is not every day that you will splurge on women party dresses. Hence, the cost and versatility (how much the dress will be appropriate for later parties as well)are factors to be considered. For example, a short black dress is worth more in value as you can wear it for many different occasions. On the other hand, if you buy a bright red dress, it will be hard to repeat it without people remembering and noticing it.

Try out these tips for buying women party dresses and you should be able to make your dollars go much further.