I Just Cracked the Code to Party Dressing With 4 Key Buys

After a turbulent couple of years, it’s time to celebrate, and dressing up and heading out has never felt so good. With social calendars steadily filling up ahead of the festive season, planning what to wear to a party is top of the agenda, and now is the perfect time to explore the best partywear the shops have to offer. One place that always manages to get occasion dressing right is Harvey Nichols, and the luxury shopping destination just so happens to have the perfect edit of partywear for every event.

Whether you’re heading to a black-tie gala or the office Christmas party, the brand’s new-season gems and party-ready pieces tick every box. Minis? You got it. Disco platforms? No problem. There’s even sensible suiting you’ll want to wear for the 9-to-5, too. So after scrolling through hundreds of items in the new-in and party edit, I’m happy to say I’ve found everything you could possibly need for fashionable festivities. And the best part is you can even earn rewards simply by shopping. So that designer bag you’ve had in your basket now comes with even more perks.

With Harvey Nichols Rewards, you earn points on all of your luxury purchases. Simply shop, dine or download the Harvey Nichols app to increase your level and unlock personalised benefits such as fashion vouchers, beauty experiences and curated gifts that can be refreshed annually, giving you more bang for your buck. (You can thank me later.) Keep scrolling for all of the very best party pieces to see and shop now.

Nothing says “party” quite like a dress. Between long-sleeved, strapless, mini and maxi styles, there’s a dress for every occasion, and the instant outfit always makes the right impression no matter the dress code.

Feathers, cut-outs and head-turning colour? This dress manages to do it all without being too much.

The little black dress just got a little bit better.

Buzzy brand Poster Girl is leading the way in the Y2K-inspired party dressing that fashion girls are currently obsessed with.

Looking for something a little more formal? Try sweeping satin in soft pastels.

This dress truly comes alive under spotlights.

The perfect dress for any birthday, night out, work party or date night. Just think of the cost per wear.

There’s a reason we keep coming back to this easy outfit formula. It requires minimal effort for maximum results. Whenever you’re not sure of the dress code and want to revert to the smart-casual that covers all bases, try pairing your favourite pair of jeans with a dressy top.

It doesn’t get more statement than this sculptural, embellished top.

If you’ve got a pair of tailored black trousers (and who doesn’t?), this is is their ideal accompaniment.

You can wear this versatile top with a leather mini for weekends and with wide-leg trousers during the week.

The cleverest option when the weather gets cold is party-ready knitwear. Sparkles and rainbow colours encouraged.

Thanks to the Y2K revival, we’ve been living in miniskirts. These playful, party-ready skirts lift the mood even higher than their hemlines and are a staple in the wardrobes of the fashion set’s most influential dressers.

This just might be the most Instagrammable skirt on the market right now.

The big cats have all had their moment. Zebra is our current animal-print obsession.

A bold shoe can turn a simple outfit into something truly special. Once you’ve already found the dress or the perfect party top, don’t forget the shoes so good you’ll want to wear them again, and again, and again…