12 Runway Trends To Inspire Your Party-Season Wardrobe

The runways provided inspiration in spades when it came to styling suiting for party season. The takeaways? Choose suits in sparkling fabrics or jewel toned tuxedo styles – and – show a little skin. Tailoring feels extra-special and undeniably sexy when you switch your shirt for a slinky satin top or a glimpse of lace lingerie, designed to be seen.

If you’ve been waiting for the return of the micro mini, party season is going to be a style treat for you. Your catwalk pin-up here is Giambattista Valli’s cinched-waist velvet mini that feels structural and sweet at once – striking the perfect balance between playfulness and elegance. Look to French Connection for our favourite high-street take on the trend.

While at first glance this trend might sound too fleeting to invest in, we love that even the smartest draped pieces can be layered under or styled with fluffy Fair Isle knits and grown-up denim. Whether your style leans towards mercurial, slinky satin dresses with gathered detailing at Victoria Beckham, or tailored and oversized – with a tactile draped blouse to add texture and colour – you’ll find your match here.

No, not the constricting corsets of yore, but strapless necklines with interesting – and often three-dimensional – silhouettes. Expect sweetheart shapes, oversized flower corsages and plunges that, though elegant, feel entirely fresh. Just add jewels.

The autumn/winter runways were a riot of liquid gold and satin silver dresses, from ethereal styles at Galvan to more structural statements at Givenchy. We’ll enjoy styling ours with knitwear and knee-high, kitten-heel leather boots, now and next season.

The true test of a wardrobe icon is if it can be worn in different ways throughout the seasons and still feel quintessentially ‘you’. Case in point, these joyful, glittering earrings, which are guaranteed to lift your staples – and your mood. This season’s jewels are shorter and chunkier than we’ve seen before – shoulder-grazing earrings need not apply – a sea of crystals, bows and mixed metals that, though pint-sized, pack quite the punch.

A perennial icon of winter partywear, this season’s tactile, sumptuous textile looks are draped, demure and covered-up. If you’re seeking to wear your velvet piece far beyond the festive season (we approve), choose a velvet blazer, which can then be worn endlessly with a leather waist belt or loose-fit leather trousers come 2025.

Party dresses aren’t everyone’s festive flavour – which is where these statement-making skirts come in. An effortless and thoughtful take on partywear, we love the visual tension between a cosy turtleneck jumper and a glittering sequinned or sheer lace skirt. Comfort, and joy.

If there was ever a moment for impractical accessories, let it be December. The most elegant of them all? Silk and satin heels designed for dancing and Ubering exclusively. Nineties nostalgia is served via Alberta Ferretti’s strappy sandals, while Prada and Dolce & Gabbana make the case for pointed mini-heels to party in.

Sparkling and joyful, without even a hint of novelty. Maximalists will take styling inspiration from Galvan’s doubling up of sequinned separates – more is more. While minimalists might take their lead from Altuzarra and Michael Kors, finding classic – but in the context unexpected – tailored and wool pieces to pair with sparkling showstoppers.

Quite literally a joy to behold, our favourite party bags are petite, playful and a little bit extra. Think bracelet handled bags – Chloé’s are next-level – decadent embellishment and sparkles aplenty.

If you invested in some really special white dresses or separates last summer, it’s time to dust them off and discover the styling tricks and accessories that will make them feel perfectly festive throughout December. Black leather accessories will be your go-to here; we love how the models wore black opera gloves with statement white dresses at Carven, while the Schiaparelli show was a masterclass in how to wear your new black leather boots with white partywear.