The Key A/W25 Occasion Looks To Inspire Your Party Wardrobe

Like good music and flowing fizz, sequins are a party staple. However, if they’re usually a little OTT for your taste, now is the moment to reconsider: this season, sequins have gone demure rather than disco. Think neat co-ords at Gucci, drop-waisted dresses at Tory Burch and elegant midis at Lanvin. Silhouette is the important thing here: reach for classic and refined shapes, letting the sequins do all the talking.

The idea of sheer can be intimidating, but when done with subtlety it lends a sensual delicacy to a party look. The easiest way to master it right now is to reach for sheer pieces in black. Ferragamo and Givenchy are your style references, so try a beautiful maxi shift with a sheer overlay, or update your evening top with a sheer column skirt. Ready for a fresh spin on black tie dressing? A tulle gown is the ultimate showstopper.

Nothing says evening glamour more than swathes of silk. On this season’s catwalks, designers took the fabric beyond classic slips and camisoles, teaming fluid evening pieces with accessories that gave edge. Take a cue from Saint Laurent and team a silk skirt with your leather jacket, or add a luxe knit to a silk gown a la Alberta Ferretti. A pair of silk opera gloves is an instant updater for your favourite party dress.

One of the chicest ways to channel a festive party mood is with metallics, and this season gold is under the spotlight. Don’t hold back – the catwalks showcased how a head-to-toe molten look is oh-so eye-catching. It takes the legwork out of outfit building too; simply pull together your favourite gold pieces and add coordinating shoes and a bag. If you want to temper the glamour factor a little, introduce caramel or chocolate brown accessories.

While high heels are very much back on the footwear agenda, there is plenty of appetite for an evening-ready flat this party season. Maximalists will love the idea of adding statement embellished flats to a simple black cocktail. Or introduce colour to a Le Smoking tux with a jewel-tone style. For the minimalists? Slip into an elegant evening mule.

A festive failsafe, the return of velvet to the A/W catwalks is a very welcome one. Take this as your cue to rediscover your velvet trouser suits and cocktail dresses and read them for a night on the town. The way to make them feel modern now is with some amped-up styling. A patent shoe, a statement waist belt, a Victoriana blouse or a glossy bag will all bring the drama.

If you've fallen in love with wearing dark brown this autumn, the good news is that it carries into the party season too. In fact, the rich tone is perfectly suited to evening glamour. Just look at Michael Kors’ flowing chocolate sequins and Fendi’s embellished cocktail dress for proof. The warmth of brown works particularly well with gold, so layer on your golden jewellery or add a pair of metallic shoes.

The way to wear your gems this season is sprinkled onto sleek evening separates to dazzling effect. Fendi’s encrusted skirt is a standout look this season, and all the excuse you need to pull out your most bedazzled slip and layer on a slouchy knit. Or give your black evening trousers a new lease of life by styling with a gem-embellished cocktail cardigan. As your outfit will be doing all the sparkling, make sure to keep your jewellery pared back.

After-dark dressing gets vampy thanks to the prevalence of black lace dresses on this season’s catwalk. Far from feeling fussy or overly vintage, designers demonstrated how the classic evening fabric can look sleek and sexy, especially when styled with bold jewellery or high-shine accessories. If your go-to party look is an LBD, consider lace your easy update.

Making a somewhat surprising catwalk comeback this season is the peep-toe. However, we’re not talking retro throwback – the current take on the classic 1950s shoe shape feels incredibly modern. Victoria Beckham made a convincing case for teaming them with a sleek tailored look, the sexy flash of toe foiling a masculine aesthetic. Miu Miu’s contrasting shoe and long sock combination is a playful way to refresh your evening skirts.