How to dress up this party season
It can be tempting to go overboard in silly season. Fashion insiders advise the right amount of sparkle to ensure you make an entrance.
Should you be intending to make an entrance (or indeed an exit) this festive season, then the recent fashion seasons have you covered. After all, ’tis the season for a little glitz.
Inspiration abounded at the likes of Rabanne, where gleaming goddess warriors wore the fashion house’s famous chain mail worked into going-out tops that resembled breastplates and molten-gold disco trousers. Rabanne creative director Julien Dossena, who has turned a once dusty fashion house into a powerhouse in his 10-year tenure, told reporters in a preview to his spring-summer 2024 collection the vibe was “Ibiza in the ’70s, which was very Paco Rabanne. There was always this thing (in his work) where it could be mystical priestesses for some kind of temple, but you can never tell which age it comes from.”
Who wouldn’t want to channel that energy for the party season? Incidentally, the brand’s disco-ready collaboration with fast-fashion retailer H&M last month is, as expected, almost entirely sold out.
Also this year, supermodel Christy Turlington was the ultimate glamazon at Ralph Lauren, closing the show in an unforgettable gold one-shoulder gown, while metallics were a key trend at Sabato De Sarno’s debut at Gucci where shimmering fringe made skirts swish. For creative director Sarah Burton’s last show for Alexander McQueen, supple leather corsets were worn with gilded and slashed midi skirts. Miu Miu, awarded shopping search platform Lyst’s hottest brand of year for the second year running in its 2023 Year in Fashion report, may well make you seriously consider a pair of bedazzled underpants or crystal-embellished crop tops.
Meanwhile bright red, the unmissable hue of the festive season, is undoubtedly the colour of the year. The high-impact red dress (it is impossible to wear a red dress and be a wallflower at a party) could be found at Fendi and Balenciaga, and who could forget Kendall Jenner at Schiaparelli in a dress that at first looked like beads but on closer inspection turned out to be crafted from vermilion varnished fake nails?
When it comes to shoes, the most wanted style of this year was Alaia’s crystal-studded Mary Janes, sold out practically everywhere, which gave new meaning to the descriptor twinkle toes.
The end of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists strike in Hollywood means glamorous red-carpet events are back in swing, so take notes from the likes of Lupita Nyong’o, who made the case for party shorts with a glitzy Chanel suit at the Academy Women’s Luncheon presented by Chanel in Los Angeles.
Eva Galambos, director at Sydney luxury boutique Parlour X, says customers are embracing high-voltage outfits this party season. “This season more people are turning to shiny, shimmery, sparkly looks,” she says. “Whether it be sequins and lurex, or metallics and chain mail, people certainly want to shine, or at least add shine, this season.”
Galambos says her best-selling pieces for the party season have been Rabanne’s chain mail bags, sequined trousers from Dries Van Noten, metallic evening bags from Published By and gold and silver shoes from Bottega Veneta.
Bridget Veals, general manager of womenswear, footwear and accessories at David Jones, says another key look this year, sheer, has been a trend for the retailer this party season, as has the miniskirt – selling well for Australian labels Anna Quan and Rebecca Vallance – and off-the-shoulder silhouettes. Conversely, she says tailoring is also a strong look for the season and colourful print dresses from the likes of Aje and Alemais are selling well and suit daytime parties in the summer sun.
Ultimately, Veals says, people are looking for party clothes they can wear again long after the mistletoe has come down.
“I think last year we saw a lot more of really ‘party party’ high, high heels and a lot more on the dresses being much the kind of thing that you wear once because people would recognise it again. It’s probably more (about) investment party wear,” Veals says.
“I think do continue to buy investment pieces because you want them to last past party season and be something that you feel comfortable to wear again. Make sure you’ve got that mix of glamour and comfort this year.”
Stylist and shoe designer Lana Wilkinson says she’s seeing plenty of partygoers turn to all shades of red and a preference for shorter silhouettes.
“Wearing something shorter also gives you the opportunity to hero a fabulous pair of shoes. A knee-high boot is a great way to toughen up any miniskirt,” especially in Melbourne where it’s a little colder, she says.
Wilkinson says brands she turns to include Rebecca Vallance, Rachel Gilbert for special events and Zimmermann on warmer days and nights “where you can lean into the whimsical resort style they do so well”.
As for her party season muse this season?
“Anne Hathaway, she is absolutely killing it at the moment and has been taking some risks with major pay-off,” Wilkinson says. “I think we all could push the boundaries a little bit more and have some fun with our dressing this party season.”
Dialling things up a little, but still dressing like yourself, is something The Outnet style director Sinead Cutts says she loves most about party season dressing. “The best thing about party season dressing is the chance to be the ‘extra’ version of yourself,” she says. “A minimalist in daily life, I love to add sparkle to my wardrobe during the festive season.”
Cutts suggests adding an oversized bow or a sparkling statement headband for a little pizzazz. This doesn’t mean you need to go full razzle-dazzle, though. As Cutts notes, it’s possible to amp things up without feeling like an over-trimmed Christmas tree.
That said, a truly statement piece can help break the ice during mingling hour.
“I keep things simple in terms of the pieces and silhouettes that are my ‘go to’ throughout the year, instead adding a twist to the classics,” Cutts says.
“Rather than my everyday oversized black blazer, for the festive season I will put a spin on it and wear a metallic one. Rotate Birger Christensen is one of my favourite brands for eveningwear pieces. (The brand’s) bow-trimmed LBD is the ultimate cocktail dress, simple in essence but also a guaranteed conversation ice breaker.”
Anyway, notes Gabriella Pereira, co-founder of Australian label Beare Park, an ultimate party outfit is more about a vibe than anything.
“There is a sense of ease and playfulness, which is unique to this time of year,” Pereira says.
“I love the feeling of optimism that comes with dressing during the holiday period, the joy in dressing is so clear.”
To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register
Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout