cocktail dress

Spring is here, and that means it's time for lots and lots of college formal events. Whether attending your school's formal or a sorrority or fraternity formal, it's definitely a time to be dressed to the nines! Before you even begin to start shopping, double-check the dress code and determine if the event is a formal or semi-formal. One great way to make sure you're buying the right outfit is to talk to upperclassmen who have attended the events before and ask what they've worn. If it's a semi-formal event, a cocktail dress is a great option. If the invitation says formal or black tie, it may be more appropriate to wear a full-length gown. Either way, it's always fun to dress up!

Below are four dresses that we love for college formal events: two cocktail dresses for a semi-formal, and two full-length gowns for a formal event.

Spring Semi-Formal Event

Shail K. is a great designer to look at for cute, sexy cocktail dresses. The designer has two dresses that we absolutely love for spring formal events: style SK3195 and style SK3823.

Shail K. style SK3195 has a hand beaded ombre pattern that's just gorgeous. The black, blue, purple color makes it perfect to wear any time of the year, so you can definitely get multiple uses out of this dress.

With pastels being so in this season, Shail K SK3823 couldn't be any more perfect for Spring with the two colors it comes in: Peach (shown above) and Nude. The flowing layers and satin accentuated waist give the look of beauty and power, and the translucent fabric around the neck and sides let enough sexy peek through while keeping the untouchable aura of a goddess!

Spring Formal Event

For sexy formal gowns that aren't as glitz and glam as prom dresses can be, there are two designers that we love: Sherri Hill and La Femme. Both have evening gowns that are so perfect for a variety of formal or black tie affairs.

Sherri Hill style 8510 is our favorite evening gown for Springtime. It's a simple yet elegant strapless sweetheart dress that has intricate beaded detail. We especially love the subtle high-low look on the dress. You'll also have a variety of colors to choose from that are all so perfect for springtime: Strawberry (shown above), Ivory, Pink, Purple, Turquoise, and Yellow!

La Femme style 18713 is a beautiful figure flattering dress with intricate beading on the bodice and soft gathers at the waist. The beading gives it such an elegant look, while not being over the top. The dress comes in a variety of different colors, such as Peacock (pictured above), Purple, Nude, Light Lime, and Peach. If your event is a black tie affair, this dress in Black is a perfect option.

Do you have any Spring Formals to attend? Leave us a comment below and let us know!

Move over winter, Spring is officially here, and it's time to celebrate Easter and Passover to ring in the warmer weather! Even though it's still a little nippy out, there's no better time to get in the Spring spirit than Easter and Passover time. While it's always necessary to look fashionable, it's also important to wear ensembles that are reasonably conservative since you'll be around family members.

Pastel hues, florals, and lace are so in this Spring, so we picked our favorite looks for Easter and Passover. The dresses we chose are from Sherri Hill and Dave & Johnny because these designers always make great dresses that are perfect for a variety of different occasions. No matter where your spring holiday plans take you, these fancy frocks will not only have you in perfect fashionista form, but you can easily wear them right through the rest of the season (and even into summer!).

Our absolute favorite dress for the Spring holidays is Sherri Hill style 2941. Of course, Kylie Jenner looks amazing in it, but that's not the only reason we love this dress so much! This ornately embroidered mini dress is so perfect for Easter - the cap sleeves make the dress family appropriate and the lace gives it such an elegant look. We especially love the Blush color it comes in for Spring, but it also comes in plenty of other colors, too, if pink isn't your first choice.

Another dress that we love from this designer is Sherri Hill style 21131. This short, banded dress is so perfect for any occassion - from nights out with friends, to formal events. If you plan on wearing this for Easter, we just recommend that you pair it with a cardigan to give it a more conservative look.

Dave & Johnny style 8679 is a short pink dress with lace overlay throughout that's easy to dress up or down depending on the event you're attending. It's a simple, but feminine look that's perfect for the Springtime.

Dave & Johnny style 8472 is another cocktail dress that's great for Easter and Passover. The dress is covered with a floral lace overlay, and the waist is accented with a ribbon detail that ties to the side. It's such an on-trend feminine look, and works especially well if your event is on the more formal side.

No matter which number you choose, we recommend pairing the dress with a cute cardigan. Depending on how formal your event is, it's always good to have the option of covering up your shoulders. And, of course, since it's still a little cold out, it will keep you warmer!

St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner, and that means it's time to put lots of green on! We love this holiday of course because it's a perfect excuse to wear a cute dress. When it comes to showing some St. Paddy's Day pride, your look doesn't have to be head-to-toe green, but with Emerald Green being the 2013 Color of the Year, could you ask for a better time to show off your on-trend style? We didn't think so. Nothing says St. Patrick's Day better than a Little Green Dress, so check out our favorites for the holiday below!

Our favorite dress for St. Patrick's day is Sherri Hill style 21131 in lime green. The neon green color is so perfect for standing out in the sea of green that you're bound to be in on this day, and the bandage fabric is super figure flattering. Best of all, since neon is so on-trend right now, it's the perfect dress to wear time and time again in the spring and summer months.

If neon isn't your thing and you'd rather go with a darker green dress, La Femme style 15907 is a great option.  It's a net pleated short dress with a V shaped front and back. The toned-down green color makes it easy to wear for any other event you may have once St. Patrick's Day has come and gone.

Want to rock the Color of the Year, Emerald Green? Sparkle style 71192 is not only good for that, but also for getting two looks in one! This fun and flirty hi-lo cocktail dress features a strapless neckline, all over sequin body and a removable short tulle over-skirt with a satin bow at the waist. What a perfect way to not only have a dress for St. Paddy's Day, but to rock the on-trend look at Prom, too!

Hopefully this St. Patrick's Day will be a warm one, but if it's cold, wearing black stockings with your dress is a great way to finish off the look and stay a little warmer for the day.

Finding the perfect dress to wear to a winter wedding can be difficult; you want to wear a cute dress, but it's cold out! Whether a formal or semi-formal wedding, here's some ideas that are perfect for showing off your fashion sense during the one month when dresses aren't quite as easy to wear.

Formal Wedding

This type of wedding usually means it's good to wear a long dress, since it's the winter time. Black is the perfect color for winter because the darker color is always appropriate, no matter what the setting.  It can also always be dressed up or down with accessories, depending on just how formal the black-tie affair is.

The first dress is La Femme style 18928, an elegant and classic jersey gown with satin accents and criss-cross satin straps under the bust. The back also has satin straps that criss-cross with a rhinestone brooch in the center. Since it's a simple black gown, you can have a lot of fun changing the look with accessories.

The second dress is a fancier number that's perfect if you know the event you are attending is on the more formal side. It's Alyce Jean De Lys style 29602, a satin and lace gown with a scoop-neck. The cap sleeves and black lace make is so perfect for the colder months!

 Semi-Formal Wedding

If it's a semi-formal wedding, a cocktail dress is the perfect choice. This type of wedding allows you to be much more flexible with your outfit and more easily show off your style. Our two favorite cocktail dresses for a winter wedding are below - the longer sleeves make them so perfect for the winter time. And, since they're just classic cocktail dresses, they can be worn for a number of other occasions, too!

For a funkier look, we love Jovani style 74207. It's a short cocktail dress with 3/4 length sleeves and illusion detail that shows off just enough skin, while still having that classy look for a wedding.

for a cocktail dress on the more formal size, we love Alyce Jean De Lys style 29524. This chic and classy short dress has a lace over satin fabric with a scoop neckline and 3/4 length illusion sleeves. Best yet, it's a classic little black dress that can be word to many different events!

Do you have any weddings coming up soon? What do you plan on wearing? Leave us a comment below!

Red, pink, purple, and hearts always have a special place in the fashion world, and they are of course especially on-trend on the sweetest holiday of all - Valentine's Day! With February 14th right around the corner, we picked out some of our favorite on-trend looks that are perfect for showing some V-Day love next week!

The Little Red Dress

February 14th immediately changes the classic Little Black Dress into the Little Red Dress and Little Pink Dress for one special night. Whether you're going on a hot date, or just having a night out with your closest friends, you can never go wrong with wearing a sexy red or pink dress on this day! This La Femme 18110 cocktail dress is made up of fitted stretch net fabric that will be sure to show off your curves.

Love is in the Air

Wearing clothes and accessories that say "Love" on them have been all the rage lately, so they'll definitely be the hot thing to wear on Valentine's Day! We thought this ring was simple, but so cute - a great way to show your love (no pun intended) for the holiday without going overboard. And, once you put it on, you'll probably never want to take it off!

Valentine's Day time of course also means it's Sweetheart Dance time! Having trouble figuring out what to wear to your Sweetheart Dance? Since it's an event to celebrate Valentine's Day, we recommend picking a red or pink dress. Purple or white are also great colors to choose if you want to show some Valentine's Day love but don't like the traditional red or pink. If those four hues don't work for you, black is always a staple color that you can wear to any event!

As far as the type of dress goes, choose a strapless/sleeveless cocktail dress. You can either go with the traditional fitted cocktail dress, or choose one that flares out at the waist for a more flowy look. We picked out our favorite Valentine's Day dresses for a Sweetheart Dance below and put them into a cute Polyvore set to give you some ideas on what to wear! You can also click here for more Valentine's Day dresses.

Source: rissyroos.polyvore.com via Rissy Roo's on Pinterest

From Left to Right:

1. Sherri Hill style 1403 - This fabulously glitzy dress is a perfect way to turn heads! It has a low-cut corset-like bodice with beautiful embellishments all over it. Tulle floats around the skirt, creating a flirty look.
2. Sherri Hill - A sexy beaded short cocktail dress from Sherri Hill that screams Valentine's Day! Best of all, since it's a classic fitted cocktail dress, there's a number of occasions this dress can be worn to.
3. Jovani style 74156 - A classy cocktail dress with a lace overlay. With lace being such a popular trend right now, you can never go wrong showing off your keen fashion sense with this number!

Whatever dress you choose, we're sure you'll look like a true sweetheart at your Sweetheart Dance!

With New Year's Eve only 4 days away, it's definitely time to get your party plans together! Whether you're holding your own party, or attending someone else's, it can be fun to have a theme. Party City recently put together a list of NYE party themes that we thought were cute ideas to spice up the normal New Year's party. Whether you're looking for a theme for your own party, or if you know that one of your friends will be having one at theirs, we paired some sexy cocktail dresses with our favorite Party City NYE party ideas.

Want to stick with the classic New Year's Eve look? You definitely can't go wrong by keeping with tradition and going with a black, silver, and gold party theme. As far as dressing for the occasion, a classic little black dress is always perfect, but it can be fun to dress it up a bit with silver or gold accenting either on the dress or with your accessories. We love Primavera style 9625 for a traditional NYE look - it's a cute strapless dress with silver and black sequins.

Looking for something a little more funky for New Year's Eve? There's definitely no better night to let your wild side out! Don't be afraid to shake things up with fun spots and stripes in your party's theme and on your outfit. Animal print dresses are always a sexy staple for any girl's closet, so it's a dress you won't have trouble finding multiple uses for. We love Xcite style 30375 and Jovani style 9866 cocktail dresses to get the animal print look for NYE.

Just want to add some bright colors to your New Year's Eve? Go with a "Midnight Mystery" theme and fill your night with bold blues, purples, oranges and reds. There's plenty of multicolor dresses you can pick from, but we love Hannah S. style 27781 for a fun and flirty look.

What are your plans for the biggest night of the year? Leave us a comment below and let us know!

Happy Holidays to all of our Roo friends & family! With the Holidays in full swing, we wanted to have a special post for a celebrity that's been keeping us in the Holiday spirit - RaeLynn! She's been participating in Holiday events and seen wearing some very pretty Holiday-inspired Jovani dresses this month, and we can't get over how  beautiful she looks in them!

RaeLynn first became famous on the second season of The Voice, where she finished third on Blake Shelton's team. If you're a fan, I'm sure you didn't miss her returning to the stage two weeks ago on December 11th - she came back to perform her first single 'Boyfriend.' She looked absolutely beautiful wearing a royal blue strapless sequin cocktail dress from Jovani (style 1954), and her performance was amazing!

She was also recently seen wearing a short baby doll Jovani dress (style 2933) at jcpenney's "Holiday Giving Tour" in LA. The tour began on #GivingTuesday on Nov. 27th and lasted for 12 days, visiting a new city each day throughout the US. The goal was to bring a touch of Christmas cheer to cities across the county, "through simple, humble acts of generosity that pay homage to classic American holiday traditions...from Christmas tree lighting and ice skating to Santas and tobogganing." Blake Shelton and RaeLynn joined the retail store in LA for the final day of the tour to give an exclusive, free holiday performance outside their store in Westfield Culver City. It doesn't get much more in the Holiday spirit than that! 

Are you a RaeLynn fan? Leave a comment below and let us know!