The Ultimate Partywear Wardrobe For Every Persona
Minimalists and mini-dress devotees alike can find their look of the season in NET-A-PORTER’s evening edit. By ALICE NEWBOLD-SMITH
While we’re led to believe that a calendar full of cocktail events calls for swathes of sequins and costume jewelry, there are several chic personas to embody for the festivities filling your diary. Not one of them errs into novelty-fashion territory.
Cocktail attire
Was there ever a more perfect marriage than Carolina Herrera and cocktail hour? The aperitivo aficionado looks to Wes Gordon, who helms the house, for color-pop confections that combine wow-factor silhouettes with a sense of effortlessness. Gordon’s work is bold yet ultra-wearable – a no-brainer for women who want a feel-good dress to do all the talking.
CAROLINA HERRERAStrapless draped silk-chiffon midi dress
CAROLINA HERRERAStrapless embellished tulle mini dress$3,957.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size0 - out of stock2 - out of stock4 - out of stock6 - out of stock
CAROLINA HERRERAStrapless sequined tulle midi dress
CAROLINA HERRERACrystal embellished tulle-trimmed crepe midi dress$2,798.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size2 - out of stock4 - out of stock6 - out of stock8 - out of stock
Tuxedo dressing
Another Tomorrow is the first port of call for luxe-tux fans. Why commit to a dress when founder Vanessa Barboni Hallik’s louche suiting delivers the same impact? Anyone harboring doubts about a suit’s sensuality clearly hasn’t felt Another Tomorrow’s fabrics, which are heaven to the touch. Defined by the vision of creative director Elizabeth Giardina, whose cuts are as exacting as they are effortless, one great suit can take you anywhere – making Another Tomorrow’s tailoring a truly modern investment.
ANOTHER TOMORROWDouble-breasted satin-trimmed wool-blend twill blazer
ANOTHER TOMORROWDouble-breasted asymmetric jersey blazer$1,959.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size36 - low stock38 - out of stock40 - out of stock4244 - out of stock46 - out of stock
ANOTHER TOMORROWArchitectural satin-crepe midi skirt
ANOTHER TOMORROWStretch-jersey straight-leg pants$1,097.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size36 - out of stock38 - out of stock40 - out of stock42 - out of stock44 - out of stock46 - out of stock48 - out of stock
Statement jewels
Bauble lovers have one name in mind for jewelry: Jesse Marlo Lazowski. The Marlo Laz founder’s origin story of transforming one of her grandmother’s beloved brooches into a necklace immediately captured our imagination – and the pieces Laz has crafted since, after training in Jaipur, are just as special. Precious stones are an instant conversation-starter over the holidays, when everyone digs deep in their jewelry box for treasures – so why not pick a new gem with an interesting story to tell?
MARLO LAZAlexandra 14-karat gold, diamond and aquamarine pendant
MARLO LAZ4.0 Rolo 14-karat gold necklace
MARLO LAZSardinia II 14-karat gold necklace
MARLO LAZStarburst 14-karat gold, rhodium-plated, diamond and garnet necklace
“Picking pieces that really feel like ‘you’ is key to having a good time
”
Dancing shoes
Is it even party season without party shoes? High-heel devotees swear by Paris Texas for standout, versatile styles that have longevity (translation: you can wear them all night). There’s a reason why the brand, which fuses Parisian elegance with Texan toughness, keeps the likes of Dua Lipa and Hailey Bieber in its stilettos – because they are actually wearable and, most importantly, outlast the trend cycle.
PARIS TEXASLidia mirrored-leather slingback pumps$1,115.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size36 - out of stock36.53737.538.539 - out of stock40 - low stock40.5
PARIS TEXASLida patent-leather mules$1,055.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size36 - low stock36.53738 - low stock38.5 - low stock3939.5 - low stock40 - low stock40.541 - out of stock42 - out of stock
PARIS TEXASLidia mirrored-leather slingback pumps$1,115.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size3636.5 - out of stock3737.5 - out of stock38 - out of stock38.5 - out of stock39 - low stock39.5 - low stock4041.5 - out of stock42
PARIS TEXASLidia metallic leather mules$1,240.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size36 - out of stock3737.538 - low stock38.539 - low stock39.540 - low stock40.5 - out of stock41
Mini masterpieces
The party girl knows exactly which masterpiece to turn to. From November to January, every invite is an excuse to slip on a favorite Self-Portrait mini dress and head out into the night. Malaysian-born, London-based founder Han Chong imbues his brand with an inherent sense of playful femininity that’s perfect for this time of year. No embellishment is too heavy for this dance-floor diva, who commands a serious presence in her ruched and cinched occasionwear.
SELF-PORTRAITEmbellished satin-crepe mini dress
SELF-PORTRAITGeorgette-trimmed draped satin midi dress
SELF-PORTRAITAppliquéd satin mini dress
SELF-PORTRAITTie-side asymmetric polka-dot satin-crepe mini dress
Simple sophistication
Last but by no means least: the minimalist, who leans on LA brand Staud for her evening dresses. With subtle points of difference (check out the neckline on that must-have column dress) to spark questions of “who are you wearing?” over the canapé tray, Sarah Staudinger and George Augusto’s clean-lined designs are imbued with a subtle sense of playfulness that’s perfect for those who are usually allergic to sparkly dress codes. Classic yet contemporary, Staud and its loyal following do formalwear on their own terms.
STAUDCadence faux pearl-embellished satin maxi dress$740.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size000 - low stock24681012 - low stock14 - low stock16 - low stock
STAUDJoy cotton-blend faille maxi dress$855.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size00 - out of stock024 - low stock68 - low stock10 - out of stock12 - low stock1416 - low stock
STAUDLaura button-detailed linen-blend mini dress
STAUDEllie paneled cotton-blend faille mini dress
As everyone RSVP-ing yes to events from now until the new year knows, it’s the art of playing the long game that counts. Picking pieces that really feel like you is key to having a good time – but if you’re after experimentation, why stick to one persona? PORTER has you covered.
THE ULTIMATE PARTYWEAR WARDROBE
9 items
- CAROLINA HERRERAStrapless draped silk-chiffon midi dress
- PARIS TEXASLidia mirrored-leather slingback pumps$1,115.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size36 - out of stock36.53737.538.539 - out of stock40 - low stock40.5
- ANOTHER TOMORROWDouble-breasted satin-trimmed wool-blend twill blazer
- SELF-PORTRAITEmbellished satin-crepe mini dress