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The Best Party Dresses For All Your Christmas And New Year's Eve Needs
ELLE's pick of the most fabulous sequinned, feather-trimmed, puffball and cut-out party dresses from Reformation, Mango, 16Arlington and more.
Festive season is in full swing, which means our social calendars are increasingly packed with parties, Christmas drinks, work events, meals out and long overdue catch-ups with friends. Not forgetting New Year's Eve, of course, that's just around the corner too... Besides rugged determination and a seriously strong stomach, the thing you'll need above all else to get you through is an excellent party dress – and we've scoured the internet to find all the best ones to shop now.
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To fit the festive bill, designer brands like 16Arlington, Clio Peppiatt, Rabanne and Taller Marmo are offering sparkles, frills and feathers galore, while over on the high street, Zara, Mango and Reformation are serving up a plentiful supply of little black dresses, with some OTT designs thrown in there for good measure.
Of course, party dresses aren't just for Christmas, and if you choose wisely (think about versatility, quality and wearability), you could well score yourself a dress you can wear for many a birthday party and wedding to come. A classic LBD, for example, is always a great investment, and can be easily dressed up or down depending on the accessories you style it with.
So, without further ado, these are the party dresses to add to your wardrobe and wear into 2025 – and beyond...
The best party dresses to shop now:
While sequins are the star of the Christmas show, feathers surely come in second place. This Mango mini is effortless chic incarnate.
Styled as it is on the model, with contrasting sheer black tights and heels, this dress is giving serious Twenties vibes but with a modern twist. Chic.
This is the only time of year when dressing up as a literal Christmas gift is not just acceptable, but actively encouraged.
Red is undoubtedly the colour of the season, so why not go bold with this COS maxi? You can dress it up with mega heels and crystal jewellery, or keep it more low-key with knee-high leather boots.
A well-chosen black dress can be just as impactful as something super-bright and sparkly – if not more so. The low back adds a touch of intrigue, and you can invest safe in the knowledge that this will see you through many party seasons still to come.
If you're no fan of subtlety, then let Clio Peppiatt's glitzy gold dress do all the OTT talking for you.
Satin slip dresses can be one of the hardest-working items in your wardrobe if you have enough imagination. You could toughen this particular one up with boots and a biker jacket, or keep it sleek with strappy sandals and a blazer. Either way, you'll be party-ready.
Sequins and fringing for less than £40? We're sold.
16Arlington is a go-to for party dresses for good reason. The shimmer on this dress is nothing short of mesmerising, while the semi-sheer material allows for a sultry flash of leg too. The fact it's half price right now only makes it all the more appealing...
At less than £16, this embellished LBD is pretty much a no-brainer.
Brown is officially the shade of 2025, so what better way to ring in the new year than in this coffee-coloured beaded beauty?
Annie's Ibiza is the place to go for rare vintage, one-of-a-kind and special-edition party dresses beloved by the likes of Kate Moss, Amal Clooney and Margot Robbie. This beautiful beaded silk-chiffon design is a favourite from Annie's own line, that would work as well for a Christmas party as it would next summer on the beach in Ibiza.
If you prefer your party outfits to be on the more daring side of sheer, then Rat & Boa will be an instant favourite. The British brand is known to take the concept of naked dressing quite literally, but if you're after a more subtle effect, we'd recommend layering with a bodysuit.
Another 16Arlington stunner, because this dress is frankly too good not to include – not to mention the price-point is pretty irresistible, especially for a designer that shows at London Fashion Week.
Skin-tight and slinky styles are all well and good, but there's something to be said for wearing a party dress with enough space to actually eat and dance in.
There's something about a kaftan that just oozes glamour, and no one does them better than Taller Marmo.
You quite literally cannot have a bad night in a Rabanne chainmail dress. It's just fashion law.
A dress that brings the drama in all the best ways.
A design from Nicky Hilton's special capsule collection for Rebecca Vallance, this red and crystal mini-dress has Christmas party written all over it.
Semi-sheer and sequinned seems to be the vibe du jour and we aren't mad about it.
Clementina Jackson is Acting Site Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, working across news and features, trends, e-commerce and SEO. She was previously Fashion Editor at Cosmopolitan and Women’s Health, and Acting Digital Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, where she was named as a PPA 30 Under 30 award winner for her work on size inclusivity. An experienced fashion, travel and luxury lifestyle journalist, Clementina has also written for Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair, Condé Nast Traveller, Tatler, Red and Italy Segreta.
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