24 best party dresses for New Year’s Eve and beyond

Free People is nailing it this party season. Case in point: this mini dress is available in a sleek black finish or playful pink, and features a strapless body and back crossover detailing. Complete with an inner lining, it fits comfortably, while inner gripping ensures the bandeau top doesn’t fall down.

A no-brainer for sparkly soirées, the dress is finished in sequin fabrication and the body-skimming A-line silhouette is super flattering. Style with knee-high boots and an oversized blazer for the perfect cool-girl party look.

A red-hot dress for your New Year’s Eve party, H&M’s affordable mini will set you back less than £30. Cut into a very short hem (something to bear in mind if you’re on the tall side), the dress boasts a bodycon silhouette and Nineties-style spaghetti straps. Elevated by the voluminous floral applique, you’ll turn heads at your next festive soirée. It comes up a little small, so we’d suggest sizing up for extra manoeuvrability.

Boasting golden silk sleeves, a cupped bodice and a contrasting black velvet body, we were instantly enamored by this Rixo dress. Festive without being too in-your-face, the metallic blouson sleeves add just the right amount of seasonal style and shimmer when they catch the light, while the gold bust and sweetheart neckline give the dress structure.

The empire waistline and bias-cut skirt help the dress contour to your body, while there’s even the addition of handy bra holders inside the shoulders, so you don’t have to forgo support. You’ll see us matching the mini with stiletto metallic ankle boots and a faux-fur coat, for maximum decadent effect.

Reminiscent of Realisation Par’s cult dresses, Asos’s maxi dress is a fraction of the cost, at less than £40. Red’s everywhere this season, and this angel sleeve maxi is a statement way to embrace the hue. The sleek style features a sweeping long length, subtly flared long sleeves and a delicate wide neckline.

Complete with a flattering low back, the body-skimming dress hugs you in all the right places, while the sheen design provides just enough coverage to get away with wearing a bandeau bodysuit underneath. Plus, we were seriously impressed with the quality, considering the price. It’s sold out multiple times since launching, so sign up for email notifications and grab it while you can.

We felt like a walking glitter ball in this Nobody’s Child mini dress. Crafted from recycled polyester, it ticks the sustainability box and is finished in a fun and festive metallic silver hue. Cut into a relaxed and roomy fit, the tiered skirt, V-neck bust and voluminous sleeves give the dress structure. The tie design at the back adds detailing and allows you to customise the fit.

A jazzy option for party season, team with matching silver stilettos or cowboy boots for an effortlessly put-together ensemble. For those who steer clear of anything too figure hugging yet still want structure to their dress, look to Nobody’s Child’s frock.

We’d suggest sizing down if you’re between sizes, as it comes up quite large.

An LBD with a difference, House of CB’s Lavinia mini oozes glamour, with its velvet body and feathered hem and cuffs. Complete with a rounded neckline that’s great for layering necklaces over, the plush black stretch fabric is fully lined, for a smooth and flattering bodycon fit, while there’s a zip at the back for ease.

The simple black design looks just as good with knee-high boots as it would with barely there stilettos – simply add a sparkly clutch, oversized long coat and a glass of champagne.

This luxurious velvet party dress is finished with sequins, coming in both festive red and green shades. We particularly like its high neck, fluted sleeves and exposed-zip detailing, with the cut-out back also providing extra party pizzazz. Because of its velvet composition, we found this dress adds a little extra warmth on chilly evenings, too. We paired the piece with black tights and heeled boots for dinner out with friends, and loved how much the frock sparkled in the light.

The fit is true to size, and its shape achieves the perfect balance between creating a smooth silhouette and not being too figure-hugging. While the dress has an investment price tag, it’s sure to be a go-to for many special occasions to come.

Astra’s Augusta dress is effortlessly glamorous. Featuring a party-season feather trim on the cuffs, the mini is crafted from a soft satin fabric that’s comfortable and expensive-looking.

An LBD with a difference, we love the off-the-shoulder neckline and asymmetric seaming on the body – both working to accentuate your figure. Available in classic black or a dopamine-heavy purple, it’s a timeless style you’ll wear again and again.

Aligne’s Kelly dress is perfect if you’re after a little more coverage this party season. The glamorous piece is shaped into a figure-defining cut, while the gunmetal grey finish boasts a high sheen.

Cut into a sweeping maxi length, the dress boasts a fabricated waistband, and split in the cuff. We love the addition of a tie belt that cinches in the piece. Elegant and sleek, pair it with platform silver heels and your favourite sparkly bag.

You really can’t go wrong with this universally flattering Omnes dress. The classic style features an elegant midi hem, body-skimming cut, a deep neckline and soft satin-like sheen that belies its less-than-£100 price tag. Elevating the simple design, we love the open back and tie detailing, which you can adjust, for the perfect fit.

As part of the label’s sustainability commitment, the dress is made using deadstock fabrics. Plus, you can choose from seven colourways, from timeless black to coral or statement cobalt.

If you don’t fancy a dress this season, jumpsuits are an equally stylish partywear option. Case in point: this sleek Mango one-piece. The velvet style oozes elegance and class, while the sweeping long design was even sufficient for our 6ft tester.

Complete with a flattering halterneck and deep V-neck, the piece is fastening with a concealed zip (though it fits true to size, the label is missing a trick by not making the halterneck adjustable). Style simply with a pair of mega heels, a glitzy shoulder bag and a glass of fizz.

An elegant take on an LBD, Mint Velvet’s black dress is cut into a mini silhouette with a sophisticated high neck. The main event, however, is the dramatic pleated batwing sleeves, which are trimmed in satin. Easily styled, thanks to the black finish, wear with silver boots and a rhinestone bag for a quiet luxury look.

Characterised by a statement ruffle trim, tie back fastening and open back, Asos’s LBD is one we’ve fallen for. The straight neckline is super flattering – especially with your favourite necklaces layered over the top – while the asymmetric hem adds interest. An easy piece to throw on this party season, keep the styling simple with a pair of black stilettos or kitten heels and a bold bag for a pop of colour. It comes up slightly large, so we’d recommend sizing down.

Aligne’s Hilton dress delivers understated elegance. Feminine yet tailored, the slim midi cut is complete with a strapless fit, a functional front button placket and mock-pocket detailing.

The dress stays in place nicely, thanks to the silicon grip, while the thick polyester blend fabric is comfortable and creates a smooth silhouette. A statement piece in itself, we’ll be styling it with knee-high boots and an oversized tailored coat. Owing to the cut and button fastenings, we’d suggest sizing up, for a more comfortable fit.

While Albaray’s dress is undoubtedly an investment piece, it’s great quality, and very wearable, so you can’t argue with its value for money. Nodding to the classic prairie silhouette, it features long sleeves cinched at the cuff, a flowy midi-length skirt, and a round, high neckline with a keyhole and button fastening.

As comfortable as it is flattering, the dress cinches with a belt that ties around the back with a bow. But what really elevates this dress for us is the high contrast of the cream piping against the black, which trims the belt and neckline. A twist on a classic style.

Smart, stylish and timeless, a blazer dress is a fail-safe investment for party season and beyond. This H&M piece costs less than £50, but feels far more premium, thanks to the tapered waist, wrap-over front, fitted cut and statement shoulder pads. Fully lined for extra warmth, the trims in shiny satin elevate the style.

The thick shoulders, cinched waist and mini hem create a super-flattering silhouette, while both the black and white options are equally wearable. Style with platform Mary Janes to lean into the blazer’s preppy feel.

A fashion editor favourite, Kitri has a party dress style for everyone (think sweeping maxis, satin minis and velvet midis). This vintage-inspired black chain dress is certainly festive, with metallic jasquard detailing, while the scoop neck, mini length and long angel sleeves make it very wearable.

Made from knitted lurex, it’s got a subtly sparkly sheen to it (great under a glitter ball) while the lightweight fabric is a dream to wear. Style with your favourite knee-high boots and gold hoops for a Seventies look.

Embodying the feeling of party season, Whistles’s embellished mini dress is practically a walking disco ball, thanks to adorned mini disk sequins. Boasting a retro feel, yet still modern, the piece features a short hem, A-line silhouette, adjustable spaghetti straps and a playful high-shine silver finish.

A dress like this requires the accessories to remain netrual, so style with platform black boots and black overcoat. Better still, the dress has been reduced to less than £100.

A glitzy gown for any evening soirées, Oh Polly’s Verona dress boasts a delicately embellished finish, dual lined mesh fabric and floor-sweeping length (it’s a great option for taller women). Elegent yet flattering, thanks to the plunge neckline, the halterneck is adjustable, so you can customise the fit depending on your bust. Finished with waist-cinching ruched panelling, the dress is heavy and has impressive quality.

A playful style for Christmas or New Year parties, Anthropologie’s pilcro mini dress is designed in a smart shirt silhouette with a fun blue sequin finish. Cut into a boxy but flattering shape, it features a short length and inner lining, so there’s no friction with the sequins. A more casual occasion-wear option, it’s easily dressed up with heels and accessories or dressed down with loafers and chunky socks.

This chic dress adds Seventies-style glamour to party-season proceedings, thanks to its pussy bow detailing. The gold and black material glitters in the light, and we particularly love that the dress features pockets and an A-line skirt. Plus, the voluminous sleeves, finished with little covered buttons, add extra drama. We found the fit to be true to size and comfy to wear. We’ve been pairing the dress with black opaque tights and stacked heels, and appreciated how the mid-weight fabric isn’t too flimsy for cold December nights. It’s worth knowing that you can also shop the same dress in green velvet (£75, Joanieclothing.com) and black velvet (£75, Joanieclothing.com).

Sister Jane is a party season saviour, with its statement styles starting from £69. This sequin number is a dress you’ll dig out Christmas after Christmas. The retro-inspired design features a comfortable loose fit, mini hem and drapey sequin fabric that falls into a flattering A-line silhouette. Fully lined with contrasting black bows and embellished trims, we love the attention to detail. Plus, the sequin sage green finish reflects the light beautifully. Simply add a pair of heeled Mary Janes and sparkly socks for the final flourish.

An elegant take on sequins, Jigsaw’s mini dress is cut into a flattering waterfall silhouette with a statement shimmer finish. Fully lined with a central back zip fastening, it’s complete with a cowl neckline, stylish asymmetrical ruching detail and a viscose satin ribbon border on the sleeves and cuffs. The perfect festive LBD, it feels like a grown-up party dress. We’ll be styling with opaque tights and white or silver knee-high boots.

Ukrainian brand Sleeper needs little introduction. The brand made wearing sleepwear outside acceptable and its designs really are second to none. It gained unchartered popularity during lockdown, which seems to show no sign of waning (for good reason, too). There’s lots to love about this maxi. It has a loose-fitting silhouette and soft satin fabric that make it comfortable yet also chic. The detachable feather cuffs inject a bit of fun into the look but also give the dress an understated glamour. Style it with a pair of metallic heels and you’re on your way to being the best dressed at any party.