Perfect Party Dresses For Christmas & New Year
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6 minutes ago
We’ve lined this year’s festive edit with plenty of options to get you through party season
Party season has finally arrived – but is your wardrobe ready for the influx of invitations? From work dos to friendmas, family gatherings to NYE celebrations, this is the time to go all out. And when the usual ‘jeans and a nice top’ combo doesn’t cut it, you’ll want to pick up one of these party dresses. Whether it’s streams of sequins, flirty frills or a classic little black dress you’re after, we’ve got you covered.
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The Edit: Party Dresses 2025
Secondhand Saviours
Have more parties lined up than dresses in your wardrobe? No problem. You can keep up with your calendar (and avoid breaking the bank) with something secondhand. Whether rented or preloved, vintage or charity shop find, there are plenty of options out there that will ensure your wardrobe looks fresh throughout party season.
Dolce & Gabbana
Camellia-Print Tulle Bustier Midi Dress (Size UK 8), rent from £33.71 for 7+ days
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Sequins & Metallics
Rebecca Vallance
What says ‘festive season’ more than sophisticated sparkle? Metallics always have a habit of coming back into fashion come December, so it’s no surprise to see them pop up in the collections of our favourite designers again. Tap into the tradition palette – gold, silver, bronze – or push the bounds of your party wardrobe with multi-coloured sequins, beads and metallic threads.
Velvet Moment
ME+EM
Besides sequins, there’s one fabric we can’t help but covet when the temperature drops below 10 degrees: velvet. Perfect for adding texture to an otherwise ‘flat’ outfit, velvet rolls out beautifully across all dress lengths (and even an accessory or two). And while it looks especially festive in shades of red, you’ll also get plenty of wear in black, green or blue velvet.
Festive Reds
Never Fully Dressed
The colour of the season. There are plenty of ways to wear Christmas’ one true colour – shades of candy cane, mulled wine, holly berries and sugar plum spring to mind – which means the options here are pretty endless. And this season, we’re seeing people dress up their festive reds with metallic fringe, soft velvet, dainty embroidery and even a bow or two.
Little Black Dress
Nadine Merabi
The ultimate party hero. Whatever the occasion this season, you can’t go wrong with a little black dress – it’s the versatile mini that can be styled up or down wherever you go. Christmas work party? Pull on a cardigan and a pair of kitten heels. Winter wedding? Go full cocktail attire with a colour pop clutch and heels. The New Year’s bash to end them all? You’ll want glitter, and plenty of it.
Flirty Mini
Kitri
Speaking of little – there’s always the classic mini to fall back on. Make a statement with a bold pop of colour, opt for fun and flirty with a splash of sequins, add a festive twist with swathes of velvet, or keep it (Christmas) classic with an LBD (see above) or all-red ensemble.
No Dress? No Problem
Suzannah London
Need to break up the string of party dresses? Not to worry, there are plenty of suits and separates on the market (both new and preloved) that should help justify that breather. You can apply many of the rules above to a good party suit – a red velvet blazer? It might be Santa Claus adjacent, but it’s also a style no-brainer when it comes to festive dressing – so you can take what you’ve learned wide and far. Happy shopping.
