Many of you are probably still in the crush of the holiday rush. But since I celebrate Hanukkah, my present giving season is complete. My husband and I celebrate our anniversary on Christmas Eve -a spur of the moment elopement – so there’s opportunity for one more give and get, but the real buying, and by that I mean the buying for the kids, is complete.
That means it’s time to move on to planning the perfect New Year’s Eve outfit. Or you might have some holiday parties to attend. I’ll likely cozy up at home. But if I were planning a rocking New Year’s Eve, I’d start trying on dresses right now. There’s nothing worse than buying a party ensemble under pressure. After all this research I may just make a buy so I have a pretty party dress on hand.
I may have gone overboard—there are 75 party dress picks here from StyleCarrot partners and other sources. Lots of lace happening this season. There’s a turquoise lace dress by DVF; a cobalt lace dress from J.Crew, and a one-shouldered navy lace number fromReiss. (Princess Kate should totally dare to wear that.) Of course there are plenty of metallics. Metallic gold and gunmetal dresses, as well as jacquard (big trend right now, especially at Tory Burch), and a sprinkling of sequins. Plus capes. Channel Gwyneth and try a dress with a cape. The white one from Pixie Market is darling. 01
What would I wear? If I were a tiny bit younger and going dancing, I think #3 is really cute, though I’d probably opt for #33, the pleated midi by Rebecca Taylor or #47, the gold wrap dress. The stripey sequin Marc dress, #16 is adorable, especially paired with those studded clogs. The green knotted Lanvin silk shift (#25) is more my style these days, if I could afford it, along with #38, the modern minimalist black gabardine from Ssense. (Everything from Ssense is fierce. For a more festive feel but still considering comfort, I like #49, a black embellished chiffon shift by Velvet.
I like to order a whole bunch and then decide.
1 White Cape Dress, $98 at Pixie Market.
2 DVF Sky Blue Lace Dress, $501 at MyTheresa.
3 Sequin Cage Dress, $150 at Bloomingdale’s.
4 Aster Flower Dress, $495 at Rebecca Taylor.
5 Silence + Noise Lattice Back Dress, $69 at Urban Outfitters.
6 Keepsake Lace Bodycon Dress, $170 at Urban Outfitters.
7 Embellished Mini Dress, $898 at Alice + Olivia.
8 Double V-Neck Fit & Flare Chambray Dress, $79.95 at Gap.
9 Jacquard Sleeveless Dress $595 at Tory Burch.
10 d.RA Blue Hi Lo Dress, $149 at Urban Outfitters.
11 Hot Pink Flutter-Sleeve Dress, $128 at Banana Republic.
12 Floral Print Silk Dress, $198.50 at Club Monaco.
13 Gold One Shoulder Dress, $300 at Whistles.
14 Lovers + Friends Magenta Cape Dress, $178 at Revolve.
15 Bailey 44 Gunmetal Cut-Out Dress, $202 at Revolve.
16 Marc by Marc Jacobs Striped Lamé Shift, $498 at Saks.
17 DKNY Allover Sequin Dress $495 at Shopbop.
18 Blush Sequin Dress, $198 at J.Crew.
19 Red Scalloped Shift Dress, $48.99 at Ruche.
20 Lanvin Silk Dress With Tassel Tie, $1,690 at MyTheresa.
21 Maison Scotch Tulle Skirt Dress, $329 at Revolve.
22 Silver Metallic Sleeveless Dress, $169.99 at ModCloth.
23 DVF L Printed Silk Dress, $468 at Saks.
24 Green Floral Drop-Waist Dress, $138 at Banana Republic.
25 Lanvin Gathered-Front Shift Dress, $1,690 at Barneys.
26 Gray Organza Dress, $470 at Whistles.
27 Electric Blue Lace Dress, $178 at J.Crew.
28 Gray Lace Shift Dress, $148 at Madewell.
29 Metallic Brocade Dress, $398 at J.Crew.
30 MLV Forest Green Embellished Dress, $350 at Cusp.
31 Halston Heritage Blue Cutout Dress, $267 at Bloomingdale’s.
32 Karen Keen Ombre Sequin Dress, $158 at Bloomingdale’s.
33 Lurex Pleated Cami Dress, $479 at Rebecca Taylor.
34 A.L.C. Montana Dress, $495 at Saks.
35 Merlot Velvet Dress, $89.99 at ModCloth.
36 Alexis Starlight Print High-Low Dress , $798 at Cusp.
37 Asymmetric Lace Dress, $360 at Reiss.
38 Enfold Black Wool Gabardine Dress, $865 at Ssense.
39 Topshop Unique Crushed Velvet Dress, $435 at Net-a-Porter.
40 Self Portrait Maroon Dress, $560 at Shopbop.
41 Velvet Studio Dress, $99.90 at Zara.
42 Embellished Blush Shift Dress, $369 at Ted Baker.
43 Ronny Kobo Camo Dress, $336 at Pink Mascara.
44 Black & Gold Fitted dSequin Dress, $595 at L.K.Bennett.
45 Alice + Olivia Sleeveless Floral Jacquard Dress, $398 at Saks.
46 Isabel Marant Chiffon Keyhole Dress, $710 at Net-a-Porter.
47 Bec & Bridge Gold Wrap Dress $320 at Urban Outfitters.
48 Michael Michael Kors Sequined Tank Dress, $325 at Saks.
49 Velvet Embellished Chiffon Dress, $472 at MyTheresa.
50 Maje Stripe Fit & Flare Dress, $376 at Bloomingdale’s.
51 Geometric Jacquard Dress, $375 at Milly.
52 Rag & Bone Silk Shift Dress, $425 at Nordstrom.
53 Cheap Monday Illusion Dress, $90 at Need Supply Co.
54 Bec & Bridge Silver Metallic Dress, $180 at Shopbop.
55 French Connection Black & Blue Lace Dress, $248 at Cusp.
56 Black Fringe Dress, $389 at Club Monaco.
57 Adeline Rae Fit & Flare Dress, $94 at Nordstrom.
58 Metallic Dot Dress, $188 at J.Crew.
59 Keepsake Black Mini Dress, $199 at Pixie Market.
60 Black Graphic Floral Dress, $198.50 at Club Monaco.
61 Floral Print Silk Crepe Dress, $895 at Burberry.
62 Elizabeth & James Red Dress, $365 at Intermix.
63 Rachel Zoe Fringe Cocktail Dress, $495 at Neiman Marcus.
64 Lela Rose Half-Sleeve Fit-&-Flare Dress, $1,095 at Neiman Marcus.
65 White Sequined Fringe Dress, $34.90 at Forever 21.
66 Pink Dot Pleated Dress, $378 at Kate Spade.
67 Sleeveless Sequin Stripe Dress, $598 at Kate Spade.
68 Elizabeth & James Sequin Dress, $465 at Intermix.
69 Open Back Fit & Flare Dress, $548 at Kate Spade.
70 Turquoise Satin Dress, $100 at Topshop.
71 Maje Midnight Sequined Crepe Dress, $229.50 at The Outnet.
72 Silver Lamé Slip Dress by Boutique. $240 at Topshop.
73 Marchesa Notte Strapless Lace Dress, $402.75 at The Outnet.
74 Red Pleated Strapless Dress, $159.99 at Ann Taylor.
75 Black Dolman Sleeve Dress, $775 at 3.1 Phillip Lim.
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