Festive season is upon us, and with it the scramble for the best party dresses to wear. Every year, the struggle is the same. Where does one find something stylish, sparkly and that – God forbid – won't be seen on someone else?
Thankfully, after years of experience, and my fair share of scouring the internet and shop floors for last-minute party dresses, I've discovered some gems that I always turn to for the perfect party look. These brands, some of whom you've probably heard of, have come to dominate the party dress space with their fashion-forward designs that continue to evolve and elevate with the trends of the season, so you're not stuck with yet another sequinned slip dress.
Number one has got us really excited for turtleneck weather.
From cult Turkish evening wear labels to a resortwear label turned ready-to-wear, these brands have become the go-to for those in fashion who always have some place to be and nothing to wear. Now, you have them to turn to too.
Below, take a look at these nine brands all fashion insiders swear by that answer all their party dressing woes.
1. THE NEW ARRIVALS
A relative, well, new arrival on the fashion scene, The New Arrivals by Turkish designer İlkyaz Özel was launched during the height of the pandemic in 2020. But as the world emerged from isolation, so did people's appetite for parties, and The New Arrivals was there to dress them. Hedonism and glamour are part of their DNA, and the dramatic and sometimes-risqué looks from extreme cutouts to capes prove that the brand is for the woman who's not afraid to turn heads at a party. It's no wonder supermodels Ashley Graham and Heidi Klum are fans.
2. OSÉREE
You've likely seen Oséree's bejewelled swimwear on A-listers like Rihanna, but did you know their flamboyant resortwear pieces also make for fantastic party dressing options? Founders Isabella Cavallin and Jannine Vinci have always conceived the brand to cater to the woman who lounges at a Ibizan beach club by day and swans into an elegant dinner at night, so Osereé's pieces are made to be layered. A sheer, bedazzled corset top sits comfortably under a shimmering robe with feathered cuffs. These pieces are meant to be worn late into the night.
3. RAT & BOA
Another brand beloved for their slinky, sheer slip dresses, Rat & Boa has been a fashion-girl fave since their dresses were seen on the likes of Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid while they were yachting in the Mediterranean. But the British brand founded now has an equally loyal following for their eveningwear. This season, Paris is the inspiration for their latest collection of lace-panelled dresses, animal print jackets, and shimmery gowns that evoke the sensual charm of the City of Lights.
4. ANNIE'S IBIZA
Few islands in the world know how to party as hard as Ibiza, and when it comes to the fashion, Annie Doble is their queen. Annie's Ibiza, her namesake shop and label, became a destination for all who holidayed on the island looking for the glitziest, vintage wares – from 1930s lace gowns to a 1960s Rabanne chain dress. Now, the brand has an outpost on London's Carnaby Street, where you can find everything from flapper-style frocks, chinoiserie embroidered jackets.
5. THE ATTICO
The fact that this fashion label's name comes from the Italian word ‘attico’, which means ‘penthouse’, tells you almost everything you need to know. Lavish, exclusive, fabulous are all words that describe a penthouse experience – as well as the dresses by Italian influencers and founders Gilda Ambrosio and Giorgia Tordini. While the brand has heavily expanded its everyday-wear offering, and hosted its first-ever on-calendar runway show at Milan Fashion Week in September, it's still the sexy, sparkly and at times outrageous party dresses the brand is known and loved for.
6. SHUSHU/TONG
Founded by Liushu Lei and Yutong Jiang, Shushu/Tong has become one of China's biggest fashion labels in the last few years – and has recently expanded its footprint across the rest of the world. Fans love the brand for its edgy-feminine designs. Think: playful bows and frou-frou frocks made high fashion, with refined tailoring and unexpected details. Even Blackpink's Lisa is a fan, and who are we to argue with the style goddess?
7. CLIO PEPPIATT
If a single dress can embody a party, it'd have to be Clio Peppiatt's heavily-embellished stretch-mesh mini. You've likely seen them on all your favourite influencers, but the brand has now expanded its flirty mini range into plenty of black-tie-worthy gowns. Adwoa Aboah, Lady Gaga and Miley Cyrus have all been spotted wearing the Alexander McQueen-trained designer's dresses, so needless to say, these exquisite pieces are meant to be worn with confidence – preferably with a dirty martini in hand.
8. Liberowe
Not a fan of sheer or revealing dresses? French label Liberowe has got you covered — literally. Central Saint Martins-trained designer Talia Loubaton has carved a niche for herself in party wear with her luxe line of dreamy jackets – inspired by 1970s Paris and her trips to India – that have since been translated into a robust offering of lush, velvet party dresses.
9. ILA
Turkish designer Burcu Erguvan spent most of her childhood surrounded by beautiful fabrics thanks to her dressmaker grandmother, and she's since applied these precious memories to her line of glamorous evening wear. Strategic cutout dresses and faux fur jackets form the lineup of her latest collection – perfect for those who fancy a little more coverage and structure for the festive season.
