Lea Michele Describes Her Perfect Party Dress

"You can't say, 'If I suck this part in or don't eat,'" she says of finding the perfect look

Courtesy Candie’s

We’re used to seeing her in floor-length gowns on the red carpet, but for a night out, Lea Michele prefers something with a shorter hemline.

“The perfect party dress is a cute mini,” the Glee star told PEOPLE at the Candie’s Virtual Pop-Up Shop launch this weekend in Los Angeles. “But it has to stand on its own, you shouldn’t need a lot of accessories, hair or makeup,” she added. “Something that you can just throw on and it’s fabulous in its own sense.”

And even though she’s the unofficial spokeswoman for skin-tight silhouettes and daring plunging necklines that require strategically placed double-stick tape, Michele says it’s also important to be comfortable. “You can’t say, ‘If I suck this part in or don’t eat!'”

But a mini isn’t appropriate for every occasion — like a black-tie wedding or if you’re a star like Michele, a huge awards show — which is why the actress also says it’s important to dress for where you’re going. “I really loved [my dress] at the first Golden Globes I attended. I had this beautiful black Oscar de la Renta gown that I wore,” Michele said. “I felt like a princess that day and it just felt so perfect for that event.”

If you’re in the market for a Michele-approved number, look no further than the picture above: the pink-and-black Candies dress seen on the actress is available at Kohls.com for just $43.99. Tell us: What do you look for when dress shopping?

–Jennifer Cress

PHOTOS: SEE MORE RED CARPET STYLE IN ‘LAST NIGHT’S LOOK’