what's the difference?

[bednobs]

between cocktail dress, evening dress and ballgown?

[China Doll]

I don't know the proper answer but personally...

A cocktail dress I tend to think of as short and fun and not exactly casual but more of a party dress.

Evening dress is usually more sedate and can be floor length and short but is generally slightly more formal.

Ball gown to me is usually a full length affair, generally with bodice (in my opinion) and should make you look and feel like a princess.

However I'm aware my opinions are subjective on this matter! (It also depends on the type of 'do' you're going to).

[JK2]

China Doll is correct.

A cocktail dress is usually a short - ie mid calf or knee length - dressy dress. Can be as simple as an LBD (little black dress) or lace or even a brocade or sequinned fabric.

An evening dress is usually floor length - or you could get away with a very dressy cocktail dress.

A ball gown is long, more extravagant than an evening dress and only usually worn for balls or very special, very dressy occasions.

[Octavius]

Pretty much as said.

Cocktail dress � as your �little black dress� semi-formal for fun and frolics!
Evening dress � slightly more formal and classy, usually long and sleek to the body, probably more at home on the red carpet at the Oscars.
Ball gown � most formal, think bridesmaid etc. Often as said - a bodice, with a skirt that hoops out, and worn with a stole or similar. Usually only for the most formal occasions or balls.