
RAG & BONE Windsor Blazer, goop, $495; ALEX MILL End on End School Shirt, goop, $80; STELLA MCCARTNEY Cross-Body Bag, goop, $985
What to Wear to a Cocktail Party:
The No-LBD Edition
As opposed to a one-and-done dress, building an on-point cocktail look from separates allows for ample creativity opportunities. The four techniques below guarantee a strategically chic, stealthily comfortable, and unexpectedly cool LBD alternative—all the better to party in.
Nº 1. In the Mood
The floral-print skirt—with its dramatic silhouette and rich color palette—sets the stage for romance, but you needn’t go over the top: The blazer’s waist-cinching bow-belt and the heels’ dainty ankle-tie get the message across perfectly.
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THEORY Lanai
stretch-wool blazer Net-a-porter, $395 -
GIVENCHY Floral-Print
Asymmetric-Hem Cady Skirt Matches Fashion, $1,557 -
MIANSAI
Bar Bracelet goop, $205 -
VAPOUR BEAUTY
MESMERIZE EYELINER goop, $20 -
LOEFFLER RANDALL Ellie
Ankle-Tie Sandal goop, $350 -
ATM ANTHONY THOMAS MELILLO
Crew Sleeveless Tank goop, $98 -
PRADA Corolle Bag Prada, $1,790
Nº 2. White Gold
Here, an all-white pairing of culottes and an elegant silk blouse provides a polished yet relatively low-key blank canvas to pile on a bit of glitz in the form of gold-trimmed accessories.
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THE ROW Vivian
Chiffon Blouse The Outnet, $675 -
CO Wool
Cotton Culottes goop, $269 -
KOSAS
WEIGHTLESS LIP COLOR goop, $24 -
LENA WALD
LARGE GOLD PYRAMID RING goop, $3,400 -
FENDI Sandals Fendi, $800
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RACHEL KATZ Mini Triangle
Studs with Diamonds goop, $1,200 -
LITTLE LIFFNER Tiny Box Lizard-Effect
Leather Shoulder Bag Net-a-porter, $395
Nº 3. Power Structure
Think of this as a next-level going-out top—it’s a power-move in its own right. To anchor the avant-garde ruffles, keep the rest simple with perfectly tailored trousers, elevated ballet flats, and a classic box clutch, which stays true to the structured, architectural theme of the overall look.
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JOHANNA ORTIZ Dama Danzante One-Shoulder Ruffled Cotton-Poplin Top Net-a-porter, $850
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TORY BURCH
Stacey Pant goop, $185 -
Ariel Gordon
PAVE DIAMOND HUGGIES goop, $695 -
kjaer weis
MASCARA COMPACT goop, $38 -
ANN TAYLOR
Alda Velvet Flats Ann Taylor, $118 -
TAMMY FENDER
ROSE GERANIUM & TANGERINE
BODY LOTION goop, $75 -
CHARLOTTE OLYMPIA
Decorative Pandora Charlotte Olympia, $497
Nº 4. Smarty-Pants
Consider opting for one high-impact statement piece (in this case, metallic sequined evening pants) to make classic, tried-and-true separates like a pristine white blouse, strappy stilettos, evening clutch, and classic diamond jewelry instantly more modern.
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TIBI Savanna
Crepe Tie Back Top Tibi, $295 -
ZARA
Sequinned Trousers Zara, $99.90 -
ADINA REYTER Diamond
Baguette Flower Posts Adina Reyter, $935 -
JUICE BEAUTY
PHYTO-PIGMENTS
LAST LOOKS BLUSH goop, $24 -
GIANVITO ROSSI
Ankle-Strap Pumps Barneys, $359 -
KJAER WEIS
EYE SHADOW COMPACT goop, $45 -
THE ROW Mini Satin
Tassel Wristlet Bag Neiman Marcus, $1,090