Effortless Allure
With
Abby Champion
The secret to a day-to-night wardrobe that will see you through the holidays in style? Keep it simple yet striking in pieces that will last well beyond party season, explains LAURA JORDAN. Discover pared-back bodysuits, sleek little black dresses and luxe leather layers by Alaïa, Gucci, Saint Laurent and more, showcased by model ABBY CHAMPION
Whether you’re a three-engagements-per-night social butterfly, or a one-event-per-quarter type, party season brings the perfect excuse to wind down, dress up and go out. After all, surely we’ve all earnt a generous helping of glamour, following the grind of the year?
Still, for many of us, the invites can bring a looming sense of pressure, as anyone who has ever fallen foul of a sequin overload or novelty knit will know all too well. “I think party season can seem like a sartorial struggle as, for many of us, we’re stepping so far outside of our comfort zone,” says Gillian Brett, NET-A-PORTER’s head of fashion content. “My week is spent yo-yoing between the loungewear I work from home in, and the more polished version of myself that I bring to the office (jeans, boots, good knits and occasionally a blazer), so getting into a glitzy dress can feel like a real departure.”
She finds that the solution is to seek out pieces “that still feel inherently ‘me’”. But what ‘me’ looks like to, well, you, is subjective. But one thing to keep in mind is this: can you see yourself wearing this again? Does it have mileage beyond party season? Can you mix it with pieces you already own and love? Answer yes to all of the above and you’ve likely got a winner on your hands for seasons to come.
And the best thing about feeling like yourself? Confidence, which equals enjoyment. Because the real beauty, the innate power of dressing up and making an effort is as much about offering joy to others as it is about feeling it yourself. As Alaïa’s Pieter Mulier – the man who proves that functionality and fabulousness are not mutually exclusive (see the viral embellished ballerinas, playful bags and nip-tuck knits) – said in this season’s fashion show notes: “I always want Alaïa to be about more than the clothes. Because it is about more than the clothes. It’s about life, about being together.”
Here, American model Abby Champion shows us how cool girls do party season.
THE STATEMENT COAT
Don’t just think of a coat as something to wear over a look; think of it as the look. From chunky faux-furs to lean, tailored floor-sweepers, talking-point outerwear is party season’s most-valued player. See Róhe’s double-breasted leather trench, which will look as good come spring as it does right now. The “balloon sleeves and a cinched waist […] make it ideal for evening when you want to elevate your look,” says the Amsterdam-based brand’s co-founder and creative director Marieke Meulendijks. “It’s equally suitable for daytime, pairing beautifully with knitwear and classic double-pleated tailored trousers.” Go on, skip the coat check.
RÓHEBelted double-breasted leather trench coat€745.00View Product DetailsSelect a Sizesmall - out of stockmedium - out of stocklarge - out of stock
THE ELDER STATESMANDelicash cashmere and silk-blend turtleneck sweater€363.00View Product DetailsSelect a Sizesmall - out of stockmedium - out of stocklarge - out of stock
GUCCISignoria embellished patent-leather slingback pumps€950.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size3434.53535.53636.53737.538 - low stock38.53939.54040.5 - out of stock4141.542
VALENTINO GARAVANIBelted faux fur-trimmed embellished cheetah-print wool coat€4,740.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size36 - out of stock38 - out of stock40 - out of stock42 - out of stock44 - out of stock46 - out of stock
BODY WORK
Luxe layering pieces are the industrious hard workers of many a wardrobe. And this year, why not let them have the spotlight moment they deserve? Alaïa’s impeccably cut, precise bodies are proof that pieces typically considered a support act are more than capable of exuding main character energy. The boldest will pair this perfectly with nothing but sheer tights and high heels, but you’ll also find they perform a star turn worn underneath tailored pants, ruffled skirts and even a favorite pair of jeans.
ALAÏARuched wool bodysuit€1,300.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size34 - out of stock36 - out of stock38 - out of stock40 - out of stock42 - out of stock44 - out of stock
WARDROBE.NYCOpaque tights€165.00View Product DetailsSelect a Sizexx small - out of stockx small - out of stocksmall - out of stockmedium - out of stocklarge - out of stockx large - out of stock
ALAÏA90 patent-leather pumps€1,238.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size35 - out of stock36 - out of stock37 - out of stock38 - out of stock39 - out of stock40 - out of stock41 - out of stock42 - out of stock
WARDROBE.NYCFlocked stretch-tulle bodysuit€270.00View Product DetailsSelect a Sizexx small - out of stockx small - out of stocksmall - out of stockmedium - out of stocklarge - out of stockx large - out of stock
“Don’t mistake classic for QUIET; the LBD is more than capable of stirring up DRAMA (if desired)”
LUXE LITTLE BLACK DRESS
Your closet’s fail-safe haute hero, the little black dress, earns its classic status wear after wear. But don’t mistake classic for quiet; the LBD is more than capable of stirring up drama (if desired). The beauty is in its blank canvas possibility – go as pared-back or ‘Pow!’ as you wish, with considered accessories. Another bonus? That versatility also transcends seasons and dress codes. “I like to shop with longevity in mind and Bottega Veneta’s black ribbed-knit maxi dress is a true closet classic that can be styled in multiple ways,” says Brett. “I’d pair it with over-the-knee boots and a cardigan in the office, then, to take it out on the town, Saint Laurent’s patent pumps and Alaïa’s gold-tone and resin bracelet will elevate it perfectly.”
SAINT LAURENTLee patent-leather slingback pumps€1,050.00View Product DetailsSelect a SizeEU 34EU 34.5EU 35EU 35.5EU 36EU 36.5EU 37EU 37.5 - low stockEU 38EU 38.5EU 39EU 39.5EU 40EU 40.5EU 41EU 41.5 - out of stockEU 42 - out of stock
TOTEMET-Lock leather clutch
RABANNEGuipure lace maxi dress€534.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size34 - out of stock36 - out of stock38 - out of stock40 - out of stock42 - out of stock44 - out of stock
CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTINApostropha 80 satin mules€745.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size3436 - out of stock36.5 - out of stock37 - out of stock37.5 - out of stock38 - out of stock38.5 - out of stock39 - out of stock39.5 - out of stock40 - out of stock40.5 - out of stock41 - out of stock42 - out of stock
TEXTURE PLAY
With their swish of drama – fluffy, fringed, feathered or furry – tactile textiles rise to any sense of occasion, and unapologetically own the dancefloor. Consider Alaïa’s major mini; animated by cascades of wool fringing, it demands a shimmy and a shake from the wearer. Team with the matching top for a chic, tonal look or play it down with minimal accessories and pared-back separates.
ALAÏAFringed wool-blend mini skirt€1,900.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size34 - out of stock36 - out of stock38 - out of stock40 - out of stock42 - out of stock
ALAÏA90 patent-leather pumps€1,238.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size35 - out of stock36 - out of stock37 - out of stock38 - out of stock39 - out of stock40 - out of stock41 - out of stock42 - out of stock
RABANNECropped fringed chainmail top€645.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size34 - out of stock36 - out of stock3840 - out of stock42 - out of stock
SPINELLI KILCOLLINLumin 18-karat gold diamond bracelet
“The innate POWER of dressing up and making an effort is as much about offering JOY to others as it is about feeling it YOURSELF”
THE NEW ‘NAKED’ DRESSING
Thank Anthony Vaccarello for heating up even lukewarm invites this holiday season. The Saint Laurent creative director brings lashings of sex appeal to winter’s after-dark dress code via his vampy FW24 collection. Equal parts bold and bourgeois, most of the collection’s 48 runway looks were executed in sheer stocking-style fabrics – not as scary as it might sound, however. The grown-up way to do ‘naked’ dressing? Limit it to one piece – preferably on the bottom half – like this opaque pencil skirt. “I love how it’s been styled for this shoot with platform heels and a strong-shouldered leather jacket, putting a powerful spin on party dressing,” says Brett, who also makes the case for the ‘appropriate underpinnings’. What counts as ‘appropriate’ depends on your confidence threshold – although a pair of high-waisted briefs is the best jumping-off point for the new-to-naked-dressing.
CARVENStretch-jersey midi skirt€145.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size34 - out of stock36 - out of stock38 - out of stock40 - out of stock42 - out of stock
SAINT LAURENTLa Scandale patent-leather mules€990.00View Product DetailsSelect a SizeEU 36EU 36.5EU 37 - out of stockEU 37.5 - out of stockEU 38EU 38.5EU 39 - low stockEU 39.5 - out of stockEU 40 - out of stockEU 41 - out of stockEU 42 - out of stock
LOEWEFlamenco leather clutch
LA LIGNECelia satin-trimmed padded velvet jacket€395.00View Product DetailsSelect a Sizexx small - out of stockx small - out of stocksmall - out of stockmedium - out of stockx large - out of stock
POWER PASTELS
A soft, sugary palette might seem synonymous with summer days on first consideration, but powdery, pastel tones are equally adept at refreshing a winter night look. Want proof? Consider Alaïa’s ultra-fine knit turtleneck dress in sherbet yellow, which looks sassy rather than overtly sweet thanks to its second-skin silhouette. Add sheer stockings and spiky shoes to dial up the drama.
ALAÏAGathered wool-blend turtleneck midi dress€1,800.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size34 - out of stock36 - out of stock38 - out of stock40 - out of stock42 - out of stock44 - out of stock
ALAÏA90 patent-leather pumps€1,050.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size35 - out of stock35.53636.5 - out of stock3737.5 - out of stock38394040.541 - out of stock
RABANNEOff-the-shoulder twist-front guipure lace midi dress€445.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size34 - out of stock36 - out of stock38 - out of stock40 - out of stock42 - out of stock44 - out of stock
LIÉ STUDIOThe Sonya silver earrings
LEATHER FOREVER
The refined rebel – a must-invite guest to any party that promises to go on too late (not that she thinks there is such a thing) – takes her glamour with a hefty dose of attitude. Trust her to reveal the wild side of even the most ladylike of accessories: opera gloves. In buttery leather, Toteme’s ultra-sleek gloves are elegant and edgy in equal measure. Contrast textures by teaming with sheer underpinnings and slinky tailored separates, like Balenciaga’s sateen wide-leg pants. Extra bonus? Befitting the chic pragmatism of its Swedish founders, Toteme’s gloves are cashmere-lined – meaning they feel as cosy as they look cool.
TOTEMELeather gloves
KIKI DE MONTPARNASSEIllusion silk-blend satin-trimmed tulle underwired balconette bra€180.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size32A - out of stock34A - out of stock36A - out of stock32B - out of stock34B - out of stock36B - out of stock32C - out of stock34C - out of stock36C - out of stock32D - out of stock34D - out of stock36D - out of stock36DD - out of stock
LE MONDE BERYLLuna metallic leather ballet flats€267.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size35 - out of stock35.5 - out of stock36 - out of stock36.537 - out of stock37.5 - out of stock38 - out of stock38.5 - out of stock39 - out of stock39.5 - out of stock40 - out of stock40.5 - out of stock41 - out of stock41.5 - out of stock42 - out of stock
YVONNE LÉON18-karat yellow and white gold diamond hoop earrings
“Does it have mileage BEYOND party season? Can you mix it with pieces you already own and LOVE? Answer yes to all of the above and you’ve likely got a WINNER on your hands for seasons to come”
IN THE RED
Burgundy, merlot, cabernet: not (just) your wine list order, but FW24’s big color news story. Plummy rouges plucked straight from a wine cellar look as good as center stage shades as they do a new neutral – effortlessly complementing camels and greys, brights and classic blue denim. Leading the charge is Gucci’s Sabato De Sarno, who introduced the shade Gucci Rosso Ancora for SS24, a deep, rich red inspired by the interior of the Savoy elevators where Guccio Gucci worked as a porter – it has been made it into something of a signature shade. A lacquered cherry jacket – debossed with the GG logo – serves up a versatile, cool-girl spin on party season dressing. Chuck on with anything, everything or even nothing underneath. The burgundy moment shows no sign of slowing down for SS25 – see Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta and Victoria Beckham – this is an investment that will far outlast the party season hangover.
GUCCIDebossed patent-leather jacket
ALAÏALayered low-rise wide-leg jeans€1,500.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size34 - out of stock36 - out of stock38 - out of stock40 - out of stock42 - out of stock44 - out of stock46 - out of stock
AEYDEHallie patent-leather sandals€198.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size353636.5 - low stock37 - low stock37.53838.5 - out of stock39 - out of stock39.5 - out of stock40 - out of stock40.5 - out of stock41 - out of stock42 - out of stock
ISABEL MARANTNatalia double-breasted wool-twill blazer€594.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size34 - out of stock36 - out of stock38 - out of stock40 - out of stock42 - out of stock
