Party Dressing Made Easy
Half the battle of picking a party outfit is knowing how to dress for the occasion. We broke it down by the three scenarios you’ll likely encounter this time of year, and the outfit combinations that go with each.
Home Cocktail Party
Whether you’re hosting or attending, home-based gatherings are arguably the most fun of the bunch. Fittingly, they call for cocktail dresses (here, cut the Barbie factor with soft metallic accessories) and elevated iterations of loungewear classics: elegantly louche pajama suits in particular are great if you’re playing hostess.
NILI LOTAN Strapless Jumpsuit, goop, $645; DELFINA DELETTREZ Piercing Single Earrings, Stylebop, $890; MARNI Floral-Python-Appliqué Pochette, Barneys, $1,089; TORY BURCH Torino Pump, Tory Burch, $395
VALENTINO Printed Silk Crepe de Chine Blouse, Net-a-Porter, $1,690; VALENTINO Printed Silk Crepe de Chine Wide-Leg Pants, Net-a-Porter, $1,890; SPINELLI KILCOLLIN X GOOP Solarium Ring, goop, $640; ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Jewel-Embellished Silk Smoking Slipper, Bergdorf Goodman, $1,195
ELLERY Dandelion Matte-Satin Dress, Matches Fashion, $902; VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Sweet Alhambra Bracelet, Van Cleef & Arpels, $1,500; CALVIN KLEIN Brushed Platinum Box Clutch, Calvin Klein, $675; TABITHA SIMMONS Champagne Pleated Leather Kali Platform Sandals, Moda Operandi, $775
Significant Other’s Work Party
Work parties are tricky: You don¹t want to OD on the glitz and glitter but you want to look nice. The key lies in cool-girl separates (a prim high-waisted skirt is prime opportunity to introduce just a little bit of sparkle) and polished one-pieces. Playing it safe? A slick LBD is always a sure thing.
EQUIPMENT Curtis Washed-Silk Turtleneck Blouse, Net-a-Porter, $210; A.L.C. Metallic Pleated Gates Midi Skirt, Moda Operandi, $595; M.GEMI The Alto, M.Gemi, $228; CLUB MONACO Bing Bang Shard Earring, Club Monaco, $58; SARAH CHLOE X GOOP Square Pinky Ring, goop, $130
PREEN BY THORNTON BREGAZZI Athena One-Shoulder Dress, Matches Fashion, $1,343; PIERRE HARDY Suede and Metallic Leather Stiletto Sandals, Stylebop, $1,095; NINA RICCI Arc Detail Clutch, Intermix, $1,290; MIU MIU Earrings, Miu Miu, $520
TORY BURCH Textured Georgette Top, Tory Burch, $295; MACKAGE Navy Black Leather Legging, goop, $695; COACH Margherita Star Heel, Coach, $245; ZARA Long Earrings, Zara, $19.90
Black Tie / Formal Event / Wedding
Winter weddings and galas are the ultimate opportunity to bring out the sartorial big guns. Floor-length gowns in dramatic florals, basic black punctuated by thigh-high slits, and full-sleeved dresses‹made sexy by way of lace panels.
ERDEM Lucetta Hibiya Orchid-Print Gown, Matches Fashion, $2,652; GIVENCHY Cocktail Ring in Palladium-Tone Brass, Crystal and Faux Pearl, Net-a-Porter, $765; OSCAR DE LA RENTA Black Satin Saya Minaudiere, Oscar de la Renta, $1,390; JIMMY CHOO Rosana Velvet & Leather Ankle-Tie Pumps, Saks Fifth Avenue, $595
