Dazzle At Cocktail Parties With Sequins, Saris & Mini Dresses Under INR 3,000

If it’s a glitzy dress you’re after, this navy blue one will do the trick. Especially since the likes of Aliya Bhatt and Jennifer Aniston have both spotted very similar looks on the red carpet. Make sure you pair this one with high heels to show off those legs as the waist-tie will already accentuate your waist for that effortless elegance. The fact that it’s a sleeveless dress means you don’t have to worry about your sleeves getting into your food plate. Also, it means you can throw on a bolero or a sheer shrug for when it’s chilly and you want to add layers. 

Check out shoes that you could pair this outfit with here. 

If you can’t find anything perfect, you go straight to Zara. Somehow, without going overboard - on design nor on price, you will find something. And we found a sexy midnight blue outfit that is versatile. Wear it with a jacket to get that runway look, or without if you want to show off a bit. The V-neck makes it easier to add on a necklace. But accessorising too much will take away from the jazzy, shiny applique, which is why I recommend just a pair of edgy earrings. Like this pair of Swirly Earrings from Berserk. 

Nothing like a saree, paired with a fancy, cut-out blouse to nail the cocktail party look. This one from Suta is pure mul cotton making it easy to handle with champagne in one hand and clutch bag in the other. Priced at INR 2,100, you can easily throw in a glam top. Since this one has polka dots on the bright pink, to add drama, pair it with a black blouse, crop top, or glittery black top, to keep it jazzy but not OTT. Make sure you drape it such that the pom poms on the pallu are seen. That adds a playful effect. Check out clutch bags here. 

H&M isn’t perfect for all cocktails, but this sequined mini party dress will work well for cocktail parties, especially in the summer. What I love most about this one is that while it does have slinky strings for straps, they have a tie-up back to ensure they don’t keep sliding off those shoulders. For a pop of colour pick the purple. To keep it classy, there is also a black number; after all, you cannot go wrong with an LBD. And then there’s the beige one which is sparkly as perfect if you like the attention on you. Since this one’s only INR 2,000, you can easily pick up shoes or a bag to glam up the look.

The cold shoulder trend on formal attire really adds some playfulness to a look and this blush bodycon dress by Peach And June is practically a staple. Sitting right above the knee, this is the only dress you should look at when you’re unsure of how formal the dress code is for the cocktail party. Also available in black and navy, just accessorise this with sparkly heels, a gold clutch and some pops of colour in your jewellery, and you’re set for wine coolers and conversations (and possibly dancing the night away if it comes to that). Obviously, this dress works beautifully for any other fancy occasion before or after wedding events.

Can’t go wrong with a red gown, right? This pretty butterfly sleeve number will work perfectly well for more formal cocktail parties. If you accessorise it with stone encrusted accessories (or keep it minimal with just gold accents, because less is more) you can freely flutter around in this without worrying about wardrobe malfunctions while enjoying the evening. This gown by Thread Number is also available in black, and a great option for dressing up without upstaging the bride or her tribe. 

When Eastern aesthetics are met with Western silhouettes, magic is made. This gold dress by Abhishti has been a hot favourite at LBB (team and users!). Look at it! It’s fancy, blends Indian design elements like soft, silky fabrics, free flowing flares, and the Mangalgiri border, with an easy A-line cut, and pockets! Elegant, practical, and budget friendly at a cool 1899, this dress is available in three other colours (maroon, green, black), and goes just as well with a pair of stilettos as it does with Mojaris, so for cocktail events that allow both Indian and western options, this ticks both boxes. Take your pick of shoes from this list of Best Shoes To Wear To Weddings. We've got sneakers too!