Grabbing an LBD and a bottle of red seems simple, but who are we kidding? When it comes to cocktail attire, there are guidelines I follow while shopping for that cocktail dress the whole room stares at.

1) What information do you have?

“Cocktail Attire” is one of those phrases where you think you know what it means, and 5 hours deep into online shopping, you don’t. Instead of agonizing over what ‘cocktail’ is the ‘right cocktail’, consider the time and consider the place. Double date calls for a much different dress than your best friend’s wedding on the Amalfi Coast. Office fete? Totally different ballgame. Take into account the timing of the event- most often the later the event, the more formal.

2) Don’t forget the host.

Does your boss wear her favorite silver dress every holiday party? Don’t buy silver. If your host will likely end the night with bible verse, it’s that time to buy a-little-more-than-modest dress.

3) Keep the Season.

As much as we all love that bright floral print in a color way that screams ‘pop’, if it’s December, store that puppy in your closet for the spring and pick a more suiting color. And if you’re somewhere cold, even if you like the feeling of frozen toes, put your closed-toed shoes on. Winter is a daunting cocktail season for the gal who likes the wow, so glam it up with some fur and call it a day.

4) Black Never Fails

Tired yet? Day three of shopping? Grab that black slip dress and play your walk-on song. Black is always a home run.

5) Bling It Big (or small)

Whether your style is glam or minimal, bling is always necessary. If you have a sleek look, let a pair of flare earrings top that dress off. And if you’re glam… well, there isn’t much I can tell you that you don’t already do.

6) Keep the Handbag Hand-Sized

There’s nothing worse than getting smacked at a cocktail party with someone’s Neverfull. Less is more when it comes to cocktail handbags.

7) Comfort is only *kind-of* important

No, I’m not saying walk into an event duck taped and turning blue. But that cotton t-shirt dress doesn’t make the cut when cocktail attire is called for. Find yourself a good medium and get your a** into your uber. Your shoes probably won’t make it home, but I never said those had to be comfortable.