SHOP: TOP 9 PARTY DRESSES

Shop the top 9 dresses that you can buy now – fit for any one and any party this holiday season!

RUNWAY DELIGHTS

Sarah Burton delves deep into ancient Cornish traditions for Alexander McQueen’s AW17 collection, and this black knit silk dress is the enchanting result. It’s crafted in Italy with knife pleats across the blouson sleeves and midi skirt, each of which are finished with metallic-gold zigzag embroidered red piped wool trim inspired by rags tied to Cloutie trees. Ground it for the evening with pin-thin stilettos. Be the alternative bell of that ball this fall.

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN – Contrast-stitching high-neck silk dress £3,275.00 www.matchesfashion.com

SUBTLE SILVERS

Gucci’s midi dress is made from shimmering silver lamé woven with silk that “speaks to the dreamlike quality of the collection.” Framed by pleated ruffles, it’s embellished with crystal buttons and ties at the neck in an elegant pussy-bow. Equally glamorous and statement-making shoes are a must.

GUCCI Pussy-bow ruffled lamé midi dress, £4,040.00 www.gucci.com

PLEATED BEAUTY

Maria Lucia Hohan’s Briella gown is crafted from metallic-silver pleated lamé for foil-like shine that won’t be overlooked at any party. It’s shaped with a deep V-neckline and back that mirrors the high side-seam slit, and features asymmetric pleated tiers that fall from the wide waistband – another defining detail. Counter the fluid volume with a small box bag.

MARIA LUCIA HOHAN – Briella pleated lamé Gown, £1,605.00 www.matchesfashion.com

GLITTER BALL 

Balmain’s figure-hugging mini dress is cut from tulle and satin and detailed with silver studs and reflective embellishments. It has a low neckline and exaggerated shoulders. Pair yours with a black clutch and stiletto style sandals.

BALMAIN -Embellished tulle and satin dress£3,840.00 www.net-a-porter.com

COLD SHOULDER ELEGANCE 

Elizabeth and James’ crepe de chine ‘Fynn’ dress is designed in the season’s favorite cold-shoulder silhouette – we love how the crystal-embellished straps highlight and frame the cutouts. The loose fit and spliced midi hem means you can move – and dance – around comfortably. Swept-up hair is a must for this one.

ELIZABETH AND JAMES – Fynn cold-shoulder embellished crepe de chine midi dress, £495.00 www.shop.nordstrom.com

Y / NOT?

For Fall 2017, Y/PROJECT designer Glenn Martens is inspired by historical royalty – think Henry VIII and Marie Antoinette. This plush plum velour dress from the runway collection is ruched and padded at the yoke, and detailed with corset-style lacing along the skirt. It’s cut extra short, so try layering it over jeans or slim pants.

Y/PROJECT – Ruched velour turtleneck mini dress, £1,200 www.net-a-porter.com

FIREWORK MAGIC 

Attico’s Giorgia Tordini and Gilda Ambrosio are inspired by the vivacious female characters in Pedro Almodóvar’s movies for Fall 2017. This ‘Suzanne’ midi dress is cut from black satin and beautifully embellished in jagged spikes with gold sequins and silver bugle beads. The buttons stop mid-waist – the perfect point above high-rise jeans.

ATTICO Suzanne embellished satin midi dress, £1,110.00 www.net-a-porter.com

HOLIDAY SPARKLE

Shimmering embellishments are everywhere right now, even Preen by Thornton Bregazzi has swapped some of its signature prints in favor of sequins. Inspired by the flamboyance of the ’80s New Romantics, this red ‘Clarissa’ midi dress skims your curves and falls to a sharp asymmetric hem. Match the bold hue to your lipstick, as seen on the Fall 2017 runway.

PREEN BY THORNTON BREGAZZI Clarissa asymmetric sequinned mesh midi dress, £930.00 www.lyst.co.uk

BLUE BEAUTY

The high neck, puffed sleeves and nipped-in waist of Emilia Wickstead’s dress nod to the ’40s, but the backless cutout adds just the right amount of edge. It’s embellished with electric blue sequins, which change colour when you brush them backwards. Style it up or down to suit the occasion – try it with sandals or ballet flats?

EMILIA WICKSTEAD Cutout sequined tulle dress, £1,600.00 www.emiliawickstead.com