A formal dress is an elegant outfit intended for use in a range of social settings. Whether you're attending a black-tie cocktail party, going out for a night at the opera, or hosting an upscale New Year's Eve bash, you may want to keep the following strategies in mind when shopping for formal dresses.

First of all, vintage goddess gowns have recently come back into vogue. These designer label dresses buck trends by offering 'one shoulder' cuts and so forth. If you want to go for a more flirtatious and girly look, consider a ruffled formal dress. An audacious pattern or splash of color can leave your admirers awestruck.

On the other hand, if you are looking for something conservative and classic, get a little black dress. This most formal of formal dresses has been popular for decades. If you are uncertain about the style of an event or if you do not feel comfortable just going with the latest trend, you can find relief with a simple, unadorned black outfit. Alternatively, you can go all out in a glamorous sequined formal dress. Add beads and glitter, and and your outfit will come alive and captivate!

Shopping for a formal dress can be a fun and educational experience. Designers like Liz Claiborne, Dsquared, and Roberto Cavalli all make exotic, unique, and stylish formal dresses. You may also consider Michael Kors and Marni. To streamline your shopping experience, it may make sense to choose a general style before looking at individual brands. If you know you want something classic (or something fun and funky), you can narrow down the designers to look at.