What to wear this party season

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If you subscribe to Karl Lagerfeld’s observation that “sweatpants are a sign of defeat”, then sequins are an act of faith. Nothing lifts the spirits like a scratchy paillette, nor conjures up the illusion of festivity, even if you’d rather be on the sofa with a cup of tea. Because that’s the other thing about a good party outfit: contrary to what most people will tell you, privileging aesthetics over comfort is often what gets you out of the door. 

That’s not to say your ensemble shouldn’t fit you well. Josephine Philips, founder and CEO of UK-based tailoring and repairs platform Sojo, still swears by a floor-length red dress she had made from Shepherd’s Bush Market-bought silk for her school prom (she’s 27). “It still fits me perfectly. It’s backless and slit to the thigh, and is reasonably scandalous, and I plan to still be wearing it when I’m 50,” she says of the dress, which she wore last month to a gala dinner. Also in her party arsenal: goes-with-everything gold hoop earrings, black strappy sandals and a liquid lipstick from Mac in a vibrant crimson shade called “fashion emergency”.

Speaking of emergencies: resist the urge to panic-buy when the iCal notification alerts you to an upcoming “intimate cocktail” or winter-wonderland-themed office bash. Instead, spend time amassing a pragmatic base of three to five party looks that make you feel good — whether that’s a gold fringed Dior minidress, an exuberantly tasselled 16Arlington skirt, or a metallic Dolce & Gabbana top — and adapt them to the dress code. “You don’t need something new; you just need a new take on something you love,” advises Sabrina Marshall, co-founder of Paris-based luxury resale site ReSee. A jacket aficionado, she often slips a blazer over a dress. Her go-tos include a single-breasted style from The Row and a fitted ’90s Alaïa velvet jacket that was three sizes too big when she snapped it up. “I brought it straight to my tailor who modified it to my perfect size,” she says. “A great statement jacket with a pair of high-waisted or flared trousers — or even with a flowing skirt — never fails.” And, as this shoot proves, the best way to add insouciance to a sequinned dress is a mannish grey Stella McCartney overcoat.

Rewearing your favourite get-up is no longer a faux pas. Designer Rejina Pyo relies on a dress of her own design that has become a staple of her eponymous line for gallery openings and fashion parties alike. “The Erin dress has ruffled sleeves and a fitted waist, making it incredibly flattering on all body types. It’s been so popular that we’ve done it in multiple colours over the years,” she says. (This season’s take is pink taffeta with adjustable straps.) 

Similarly, versatile accessories will help to take the stress out of a do-I-have-to RSVP. Erdem’s glossy leather Bloom bag, paired here with a gloriously crinkled Miu Miu dress (perfect for travelling as there’s no need for steaming), sports an elegant hammered-brass handle created using the lost-wax casting technique more commonly used in fine-jewellery making. Sculptural but sturdy, it pulls double duty, transitioning from a festive lunch to an evening event. Camille Perry, co-founder of the London brand Tove, whose slinky long-sleeved maxi dresses are a fashion-insider favourite, advises investing in a bag from Savette for the same reason. “Clever details” such as transformable straps mean styles can be adapted from cross-body to clutch, while their compact size means they don’t need to be checked into a cloakroom, allowing for a speedier getaway should the party fall flat. She adds: “The polished hardware feels like jewellery in its own right.” 

A final word on shoes. Jimmy Choo’s metallic pointed flats, as this shoot also attests, pair well with anything. But if you can bear it, go vertiginous. I know, I know. Your sensitive knees have become accustomed to round-the-clock Hokas. But stepping out of your comfort zone in heels so high they require a Martini can be good for you. You’ll avoid having a conversation with someone’s armpit, and you’ll immediately be forced to stand up straight. That’s the other thing about making an entrance — or an exit. Good posture is everything. 

Model, Yar Aguer at Next London. Casting, Piergiorgio Del Moro and Helena Balladino at DM Casting. Hair, Ryo Narushima at Saint Luke using Bumble and Bumble. Make-up, Aurore Gibrien at Bryant using Victoria Beckham Beauty. Manicure, Chisato Yamamoto at Caren using Chanel Le Vernis in Songe D’Été and La Crème Main. Photographer’s assistants, Andy Broadhurst and Federico Covarelli. Stylist’s assistant, Roshni Sukhlecha. Post-production, Rapid Eye and Art Post. Production, MMX artists. Shot at House of Koko, London. Special thanks to Laura Martin and Serena Swire