How to wear the party dress s
As the festive season kicks off, Meadhbh McGrath celebrates the return of high-octane glamour
Af ter years of streamlined minimalism, we’re finally dressing up again. For autumnwinter, fashion wants you to layer sequins on velvet with statement furs, sparkling sandals and diamond dazdazzlers — and nowhere is this more apt than at CChristmas time. So abandon your familiar smsmart-casual staples and go all out with the nnew high-octane evening uniform. PerhapPerhaps in response to the rise of street we street wear in recent years, the autumnwinter winter cc at walks heralded the return of highly sstylised glamour. At Saint Laurent, AnthonAnthony Vaccarello celebrated 80s New York hehedonism with gleaming vinyl, frothy lace and blinding rhinestones. There were chain-mmail dresses at JW Anderson and Paco RabRabane, ultra-luxe velvet at Chloe and Gucci, anand all-over sequins at Emilia WicksteWickstead and buzzy new brand Halpern, already spotted on Amal Clooney and Kylie MinoguMinogue.
ChrisChristmas party season is the ideal momenmoment to embrace fashion’s new mood of os tent os tent at io usglamou rand thankfully the high streets is alight with sparkling festive pieces.pieces
SuchSuc sequin-smothered party wear is the polarpol opposite of the understated ease of athleisureathlei and the clean lines of modern workweworkwear, so the invitation to dazzle can be under sta understandably intimidating. But fear not — considconsider the party dress the ultimate escapismescapism. Cover yourself in luscious velvet or glittering crystal sand you can’t go too far wrong.
If you lelean towards an LBD every year, now is the time to obliterate that old reliable. Try a modern updateup on classic black like The Kooples’ crcrepe pencil-cut dress with elegant lace insertsinsert or M&S’s asymmetric hem midi, and up theth bling factor with some bejewelled courts.
Velvet is always a festive favourite and this seseason the sumptuous fabric is reimaginedr with power shoulders. Robin R Wright( left) opted for one of SaintS Laurent’s shimmering velvet mini-dresses ata Cannes and you can pick up a similar number with 80s-esque paddingadding and silver y sparkles running through at & Other Stories.
Texture is big news this season,, whether you go for frivolous feathers or thee baroque opulence of a jacquard dress. Thee metallic shine and jewel-toned palette is perfect for Christmas. Amp up the look with a faux fur stole and rich velvet pumps orr tone it down with ankle boots and a bikeriker jacket.
Cate Blanchett ( right) offered a masterclass in how to wear sequins in gold Gucci at the recent Thor: Ragnarok premiere. Warehouse has an excellent range of long-sleeved, high-neck sequinned dresses or if you’d prefer more length, tr y Studio by Preen’s dazzling violet midi dress from Debenhams. A pair of barely-there sandals is all you need to complete the look.
Red is the hottest colour of the season and is fabulously festive for Christmastmas too. Oasis has just launched its Reded
Dress Collection of seven rich redd designs — our top pick is the entrance-ancemaking pleated midi, which is guaranteed to turn heads. Take yourour cue from Max Mara and go red-to-toee with tonal pumps and a red coat, or styleyle with black tassel earrings and heeled sandals.
Of course, this isn’t to say you should throw all caution to the wind. If you want to show some skin, choose wisely.. In your 40s and 50s especially, a little skinn goes a long way, but forget the shrill cr y for attention of abundant cleavage andnd take your pick between bare arms or legs,egs, á la Robin Wright.
If you’re keen to wear tights, stickick to 20 denier, and a matte sheer black will look much more elegant with sandals or courtsrts than an opaque pair. No matter what age you are, life is too short to endure agonisingly highigh heels and most of the time you end up lookingng like you’re tr ying too hard any way. Instead, opt for something comfortable and let yourour dress do all the hard work for you.