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The Cocktail Dress

'If there is no woman, there is no dress'
By ELLE UK and None
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Coco Chanel once famously said, 'Look for the woman in the dress. If there is no woman, there is no dress.'

The essence of elegance, a good cocktail dress should be devoid of frippery and frills, and should highlight only the woman wearing it.

Understated in detail but ultra-luxe in fabric, the perfect cocktail dress cuts a striking silhouette. Wear it to exude a quiet femininity; one that doesn't shout, but that leaves a lasting impression.

It's how to stand out in a room without saying a word. Just as Coco would have done.

Shop our 100 best party dresses

See who made it into our best dressed of the year

1
<p>Zara frilled cocktail dress, £69.99 </p><p><a href="http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/uk/en/zara-neu-W2012/269185/1050453/COMBINATION%20FRILLED%20DRESS">BUY NOW</a></p>
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Zara frilled cocktail dress, £69.99

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2
<p><a href="http://www.elleuk.com/star-style/celebrity-style-files/alexa-chung-s-style-file">Alexa Chung</a> wears YSL</p>
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Alexa Chung wears YSL

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3
<p>Balenciaga Spring Summer 2013</p>
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Balenciaga Spring Summer 2013

4
<p>Proenza Schouler shantung silk dress, £1560 at Browns </p><p><a href="http://www.brownsfashion.com/Product/Women/Clothing/Dresses/Shantung_Silk_Dress/product.aspx?p=4543417&amp;cl=4&amp;pc=1949762">SHOP NOW</a></p>
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Proenza Schouler shantung silk dress, £1560 at Browns

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5
<p>Roksanda Ilincic 'Ayaka' colour block dress, £925 at Browns </p><p><a href="http://www.brownsfashion.com/Product/Women/Clothing/Dresses/Ayaka_Colour_Blocked_Crepe_Wool_Shift_Dress/product.aspx?p=4409148&amp;cl=4&amp;pc=1949762">BUY NOW</a></p>
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Roksanda Ilincic 'Ayaka' colour block dress, £925 at Browns

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6
<p>Calvin Klein Spring Summer 2013</p>
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Calvin Klein Spring Summer 2013

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7
<p>Carven structured satin dress, £565 at www.brownsfashion.com</p><p><a href="http://www.brownsfashion.com/Product/Women/Clothing/Dresses/Structured_Satin_Dress/product.aspx?p=4506251">BUY NOW</a></p>
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Carven structured satin dress, £565 at www.brownsfashion.com

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8
<p>Cos A-line organza dress, £89</p><p><a href="http://www.cosstores.com/Store/Women/Dresses/A-line_organza_dress/46881-1004860.1">BUY NOW</a></p>
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Cos A-line organza dress, £89

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9
<p>Givenchy alpaca knit-trimmed dress, now £1018 at Matches</p><p><a href="http://www.matchesfashion.com/product/129886">BUY NOW</a></p>
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Givenchy alpaca knit-trimmed dress, now £1018 at Matches

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10
<p>Christopher Kane Spring Summer 2013</p>
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Christopher Kane Spring Summer 2013

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11
<p>Kenzo drop waist sleeveless dress, £333.25 at Farfetch</p><p><a href="http://www.farfetch.com/shopping/women/kenzo-drop-waist-sleeveless-dress-item-10233570.aspx">BUY NOW</a></p>
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Kenzo drop waist sleeveless dress, £333.25 at Farfetch

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12
Lanvin bks A RS13 1308
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13
<p>Lanvin sheer layered dress, £2093 at Farfetch</p><p><a href="http://www.farfetch.com/shopping/women/lanvin-sheer-layered-dress-item-10227969.aspx">BUY NOW</a></p>
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Lanvin sheer layered dress, £2093 at Farfetch

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14
Lanvin RS13 0040
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15
<p>Ulyana Sergeenko at <a href="http://www.elleuk.com/style/street-style/milan-fashion-week-sept-2012">Milan Fashion Week</a></p>
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Ulyana Sergeenko at Milan Fashion Week

16
Paris str M RS11 9141
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17
<p>Yasmin Sewell at <a href="http://www.elleuk.com/style/street-style/paris-fashion-week-sept-oct-2012">Paris Fashion Week</a></p>
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Yasmin Sewell at Paris Fashion Week

18
<p>Topshop limited edition dotty V back dress, £90</p><p><a href="http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=21&amp;viewAllFlag=&amp;catalogId=33057&amp;storeId=12556&amp;productId=6723799&amp;langId=-1&amp;sort_field=Relev
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Topshop limited edition dotty V back dress, £90

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