Everyone loves a good party dress no? My favourite was when I was seven. It had a thick black taffeta skirt and a beautiful red top with polka dots and a sash. I accessorised it with black Start-Rite patent mary janes and white ankle socks. It was a stylistic masterpiece and I must produce a photo of it when I retrieve it.
By the by, as I dropped the C-bomb last week in Friday Flash Lust I am going to continue and mention Christmas. Christmas is the season of the party dress, its the season where sparkles and high heels are mandatory. So if you have a special Christmas party, now is the time to start looking to avoid the night-before panic shopping while covered in fake tan or late for a waxing appointment.
I love love love this little number from River Island. Gold lamé = Party Princess right? At first I thought the exposed stomach might be a bit much, but after discussions with Jen and a perve at Konnie Huq, I realised this dress can and does work. To pare back the ostensible glamour, I would team with chunky black ankle boots, a black leather jacket and some big-ass jewellery.
I also love this cream ruffled number from River Island. I love the fact it can be worn as a cutsey pie number with black peep toes and a nice, ladylike clutch or it could be funked up with black tights and some edgy shoe-boots.
A-wear also have some nice little numbers – one actually called the Princess Dress which is what every party dress really is – its only €45, so a nice reasonable party dress for anyone on a budget. And look how it sparkles.
I love this pink bandeau dress from A-wear as it utterly rejects the usual colour palette for A/W, so it will really pop at the office party when everyone else is in black, gold or silver.
At the more high-end of the market there is some fabulous investment party frocks. I love the this bandeua number from Manoush. This is the gold version and it also comes in black, silver and candy pink!There’s some excellent frillage around the boob region, but I think it’s the sash that sold it for me. I love a good sash.
I adore this one-shoulder dress from Vivienne Westwood and it is my MUST have for the Christmas Party (if the money fairies leave some fifties lying around). It is striking and dramatic with a bold colour contrast – a real showstopper for a party dress.
Regardless of what sort of party dress you like to rock, make sure you hit the shops asap to find it. Recession or not, most rails will be bare come December.
