If you have ever doubted the power of clothes, these party dresses will make you believe in the mood-boosting effects of fashion. Whether it’s a little red dress or a sequin-covered design, sartorial therapy is real, and these 10 dresses (along with some dopamine-inducing accessories) will instantly brighten your day.
It doesn’t matter if you’re preparing for a holiday soirée or planning an epic girls’ night out for New Year’s Eve, these celebration-worthy frocks ensure your night is picture perfect. Start with Magda Butrym’s museum-worthy rose dress or show up looking like a literal trophy in Georgia Hardinge’s gold pleated dress.
Of course, no party outfit is complete without the right accouterments, like shoes or bags. So we’ve unearthed the equally fabulous accessories to bring along for a night of fun. From Alaïa’s Le Coeur bag to Khaite’s crystal-embellished Roosevelt pumps, discover all of the best party dresses and the perfect finishing touches to go with them below.
Lady in Red
Aureus + Argent Sculptural Forms Earrings
Magda Butrym Rosette-Detailed Stretch-Wool Mini Dress
NLA Knot Bag
Mango Heeled Leather Sandals
What’s festive, romantic, and the must-have trend color? A red dress, of course. Keep the fun going with a coordinating handbag and balance the look with silver finishings.
Winter Wonderland
Lelet NY Kamala Crystal Bow Barrette
Norma Kamali Sequined Maxi Dress
Zara Faux Fur Jacket
Sam Edelman Bianka Slingback Heel
Lean into ice princess vibes with wintery white pieces. Start with Norma Kamali’s timeless sequin dress and don’t forget to grab a fluffy coat for those cold nights out on the town.
Wild Thing
Retrofête Kyona Dress
Alaïa Bumper Earrings
8 Other Reasons Josephine Bracelet Set
Steve Madden Beki Heel
Yes, we’re going wild for the leopard print trend right now. This Retrofête dress perfectly captures the moment, along with a host of playful accessories.
Blue Magic
Valentino Garavani Gunmetal VLogo Signature Earrings
Rixo Coco Sequined Midi Dress
Larroudé Amal Mules
Cult Gaia Caldera Clutch
Here’s a dress that plays with color in a subtle, sophisticated way. If you’re nervous about adding pops of color to your wardrobe, the ombré details on Rixo’s frock are exciting to look at without feeling like too much.
The Stars at Night
Justine Clenquet Daisy Earrings
Harbison Soft Storm II Silk Bustier Maxi Dress
Khaite Roosevelt 40MM Crystal-Embellished Slingback
Spinelli Kilcollin Sterling Silver and Diamond Piera Ring
Whoever said little black dresses are boring must have never seen this Harbison creation. With strategically placed tulle, alternating crystal buttons, and a figure-flattering silhouette, it’s a sartorial triple threat. Paired with these accessories, you’re on your way to winning best-dressed guest.
Solid Gold
Georgia Hardinge Fossil Dress
Alexis Bittar Brut Gold Triangle Post Earrings
Simkhai Bridget Mini Metal Oyster Shell Clutch Bag
Saint Laurent Goldie 110 Crêpe Satin Mules
It’s hard to make a universally flattering dress, but Georgia Hardinge did the impossible with this one. The ruched design stretches and molds to hug the body in all of the right places. Plus, it can be worn with simple accessories, or you can go big with equally over-the-top gold earrings and more.
Sheer Fun
Dolce & Gabbana Organza Nylon Puff-Sleeve Coat
J.Crew Collection Paillette Slip Dress in Chiffon
Gucci Pump With Crystal Chain
Alaïa Le Cœur Metal Shoulder Bag
For joyous party pieces, don’t forget to check J.Crew’s latest drops. You’ll find chic styles like this beaded dress at an approachable price point.
Hot Chocolate
Zara Satin Effect Dress
Khaite Bellow Coat
Olga Berg Natalie Pleated Oval Clutch
Reformation Natasha Pump
For an elegant night-out look, reach for warm chocolate hues. The rich shades of brown will prove to be a sophisticated look to get the party started.
Wrapped With a Bow
H&M Bow-Detail Sleeveless Dress
Prada Metal Hair Pins
Jimmy Choo Claressa Metallic Leather Platform Sandals
Stems Bow Tight
Sometimes less is more, and this LBD proves that a little goes a long way. With a sleek dress like this, you can have fun with patterned tights, luxury barrettes, and statement shoes.
Alexis Bennett Parker is the Commerce Content Lead at ELLE.com. In this newly created role, she oversees all shopping-related stories online, from fashion-forward trend pieces to the most coveted beauty buys on the market right now. Alexis has worked in the publishing space for 11 years, and seven of those years have been dedicated to helping shoppers make informed purchases—no buyer’s remorse here! Before joining the team at ELLE.com, she worked in the editorial departments of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and InStyle, to name a few magazines. Not only has Alexis worked closely with several brands and tested hundreds of products over the course of her career, but she’s also won awards for her work as a shopping journalist. Namely, she was an honoree at the Pynk Magazine Gala in 2023, received the Condé Nast Commerce Content Award for Best Article by a New Hire in 2021, and was included on the Top 40 Under 40 Heir’s List in 2018.