Your 2025 Partywear Guide

Whether it's a house party, a cocktail bar, a company do, or a dinner that’s pretending not to be formal, each comes with its own energy. Before you even open your wardrobe, decide the tone you want to set. If the night leans intimate and low-light, think texture: velvets, knits, cord. If it’s a bigger, louder affair, dial up the shine with silks, embellishment, sharper silhouettes, punchier accessories.

When you manage to match the room, you look intentional without trying too hard.

Festive dressing is as much about feel as it is about look. Velvet and cord have a luster that immediately reads celebratory. Silk and satin add movement at a time when everything else can feel like it’s static and cold. Even a subtle metallic shimmer can transform an otherwise simple piece into something party-ready. Start with texture and build from there.

When in doubt, it can be a good approach to hinge your outfit on one hero: a statement-leaning shirt, a velvet dinner jacket, standout footwear (like an elegant leather slipper), a knitted polo with a bit of sheen, or a bolder sized collar.

Choose the piece you want to spotlight, then keep everything else clean and supportive — that's how you stay impactful without veering into everything vying for attention.

An all black base is the easiest way to look pulled together, but it needs contrast. Bring in texture (again, velvet, leather, satin), a stronger silhouette (structured shoulders, or wide-leg trousers), or a single standout accessory. A great watch, a signet ring, or a sharp belt can elevate a minimal look instantly.

You want to be able to move, sit, dance, grip a drink, and still feel like yourself. From louche tailoring to relaxed trousers, soft knits, and leather shoes you don’t fear by 10pm, comfort should be built into the outfit. The most festive thing you can wear is confidence, and that doesn’t happen when you’re suffocating in a stiff fit.

You’ll spend more time en route, on the pavement, or waiting for a taxi than you think — so a great coat makes all the difference. Whether you opt for shearling, tailored overcoats, minimal leather jackets, or anything with a bit of texture, think of your outer layer as part of the outfit, not the afterthought that hides it.