By Indya Brown
last updated
(Image credit: @slipintostyle)
Winter comes with its hardships, but at leastthere's a slight reprieve whenparty seasonfallsupon us. If you didn't have an excuse to go all out in an over-the-top dress, there are a million and one reasons to do so now. From office holiday parties to galas and soirées with family and friends, the calendar of events won't be slowing down for another few months. What to wear is often the biggest question I get as a fashion editor, so I thought I'd make it easy and curate a list ofstunning party dresses that I fully endorse.
As evident by the selection below, my personal motto when it comes to holiday dressing is the more the better—more sequin, more glitter, and more feathers will never bea faux pas (at least during this two-month stretch). Another pro with going for adramatic dress is that you can ease up on the accessorizing. Each of the pieces below is a powerful statement on its own, so it's as easy as throwing it on and stepping out. Convenience will always win!
To browse and shop my selection of compliment-inducing party dresses, keep scrolling below.
Staud
Irie Dress
While there's a certain level of commitment that comes with wearing a minidress in the dead of winter, this one is too cute to pass up.
& Other Stories
Multi Ruffled V-Neck Dress
For those still in their Barbiecore era.
Mango
Chiffon Ruffle Dress
This piece plays on the ruffled-chiffon trend that's currently peaking.
River Island
Black Bow Detail Bodycon Midi Dress
A dress that's winning the award for "most deceptively affordable."
Rotate Birger Christensen
Nunni Paillette-Embellished Recycled-Tulle Midi Dress
Rotate's selection of party garments has beenso good lately.
Norma Kamali
Diana Gown
Norma Kamali's Diana dress is a faithful staple. Here, it's imagined in silver for a flashy take.
Lovers + Friends
Nikolina Ruched Dress
Pair this with crystal-embellished pumps or patent-leather knee boots to up the ante.
Astr The Label
Quinn Maxi Dress
This is certainly quieter than the rest, but there's still a fancy midriff cutout for some pizazz.
Mango
Long Asymmetric Dress
Go for a dark floral print if you're aiming for the unexpected.
Leau
Essence Diamante Crystal Halter Mini Dress
Be the star of the show.
Sau Lee
Jillian Dress
I can't stop staring at this beauty.
Retrofête
Doss Dress
Pure elegance.
Meshki
Sera Diamante Maxi Dress With Low Back
I always love Meshki for cool and affordable party dresses.
Likely
Imani Dress
This side slit is everything.
Nookie
Tayla Long Sleeve Gown
Since see-through pieces are circulating right now, here's a cool take onthe trend that's not too revealing.
Nana Jacqueline
Viviana Dress
Personally, I can't remember the last time I wore a minidress, but I'd wear this in a heartbeat.
A.L.C.
Edie Dress
Tailored and tactful.
Saloni
Camille Bow-Embellished Velvet Midi Dress
And suddenly, I'm into bows.
NBD
Dana Midi Dress
You could easily repurpose this for fancy occasions during the spring and summer too.
16arlington
Solaria Keyhole-Neck Sequinned-Tulle Maxi Dress
Quite literally my dream winter party dress.
Giuseppe Di Morabito
Crystal Chain Embellished Dress
If flashy details like sequins and rhinestones scare you, here's a way to make an entrance that doesn't involve either.
Coperni
Embellished Cutout Stretch-Jersey Maxi Dress
The gown version of Coperni's cutout It top.
Misha
Constantina Gown
A high-neck dress will always scream sophistication.
Aje
Laurier Wave Maxi Dress
An all-black dress absolutely doesn't have to be dreary and boring.
The Attico
Rue Open-Back Embellished Mini Dress
In this dress, you are officially the party.
Taller Marmo
Ubud One-Shoulder Feather-Trimmed Crepe Gown
A ticket to best dressed of the night starts here.
Roksanda
Asymmetric Draped Silk-Satin Gown
For those big galas on the horizon.
16arlington
Luna Sequined Stretch-Tulle Mini Dress
Should you be spending your holidays somewhere tropical, here's a piece definitely worth considering.
Simone Rocha
Puff-Sleeved Organza-Insert Cotton-Velvet Dress
From a designer like Simone Rocha, I wouldn't expect anything less than showstopping.
Next up: I Always Aim to Be the Best Dressed at the Party—I Love These Types of Dresses
Explore More:
Style Tips
Indya Brown
Fashion Market Editor
Indya Brown is a fashion editor, stylist, and writer living in Los Angeles. While going to school at Columbia University in New York City, she got her feet wet in the fashion industry interning at Elle magazine, Harper's Bazaar, and New York magazine's The Cut. After graduating in 2016, she joined The Cut as a fashion assistant, eventually working her way up to fashion editor. There, she worked on a multitude of projects, including styling inbook feature stories for New York magazine's print issue, writing and pitching market stories for The Cut, and serving as fashion lead for The Cut's branded content. While New York has been her home for over 10 years, she moved to Los Angeles in the midst of the pandemic in 2020 for a new chapter. Now she is a fashion market editor for Who What Wear, focusing on emerging designers, rising trends on and off the internet, interior design, and BIPOC creatives and brands. Aside from her duties as a fashion market editor, Brown is also a freelance stylist and writer, working on national print and video commercial campaigns for Sephora, The Independent, and Cadillac. Her bylines also include Harper's Bazaar, Vox, and The New York Times. But once the computer goes down and the emails turn off, she's likely eating her way through Koreatown, hunting down vintage furniture, scoping out new outrageous nail designs to try, or taking a hot cycling class.
SPONSORED_HEADLINE
SPONSOREDSPONSORED_STRAPLINE
SPONSORED_BYLINE
