The reason I started up a blog was because I wanted to tell people about the current and upcoming season of fashion, so where better to start than, my personal favourite (and what seems like every second person’s worst nightmare) ; the party dress.
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| Donna Karan |
Over the past few months you must have been blind to not notice the maxi dress. It has been everywhere, dressed up, dressed down and dressed to go to a party. Whilst other trends have often wavered by this point (like wet-look leggings when people began to realise it looked like they had been dragged backwards through the 80’s), the maxi dress has proved to still be going strong when it appeared on the runway of Donna Karan 2011. This means we should look forward to another season of not having to worry about the state of our legs when in a rush to get ready for a party.
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| ASOS |
Or maybe the maxi dress isn’t for you, but your still not particularly knee confident, then next season is definitely your season. The midi party dresses have already starting appearing and personally, I am all for jumping on this bandwagon. I can't really see a fault with midi dresses, they avoid all being-slightly-tipsy-in-heels-and-tripping-over-the-bottom-of-your-maxi-dress ordeal. But equally, means you can bend over to pick up your bag that you dropped without accidentally flashing everyone and having to hide your face for the rest of the party. So for me they really are a win-win situation. Now, like I said, the trend isn't really in full-swing yet, so there are limited styles to pick from, but there will soon be a whole array.
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| ASOS |
Another length decision that has to made when choosing a party dress is massive trend of the moment, asymmetrical. Whether this means the back is longer than the front, or the left is longer than the right, it’s up to you. But there are generally gorgeous and something different to look at. Beware of some extra attention in these, 99% of the time it is good attention.
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| TopShop |
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| TopShop |
But what if you are traditional mini dress kinda girl? There is no need to panic that you won’t be on the asymmetrical trend . The one shouldered chiffon mini dress is everywhere. The only worry I have with these (apart from a strong breeze) is that you will blend in with everyone else as everyone else will be wearing one.
If your mini dress isn't chiffon, then it will almost certainly be body con. These can be gorgeous, on certain people. Generally the people who have decided not to have pasta for tea before the party. However, we are saved slightly this season. Rather than last season’s fashion of bearing every nook and cranny for all to see, many body con dresses come with a ‘wrap’ effect, giving a little more leeway at tea time. For example the new topshop ones.
If you decide that you’re not all for the grecian effect then your body con dress will probably be velvet, or fake velvet at least. These seem apt for the winter, look elegant and give a chic twist to a party dress , although I can’t see a massive future for them seeing as they are weather dependant.
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| ASOS |
When it comes to choosing the upper half of your dress it can be rather difficult. There's full arms, one arm, capped sleeves, thick straps, spaghetti straps, one shouldered and strapless. Making the best decision on these depends on your dimensions. For example, the theme of asymmetry is still strong here, with many dresses being one shouldered. But if, like me, you have wide shoulders, a thick strap dress is generally a better option. It not only hides your shoulders, but enhances tininess of your waist. Perfect.
The colour of the season is a dusty caramel colour, but with party dresses, my opinion is going for a dress which suits you, the colour compliments you and what you feel comfortable (even if its only a bit comfortable) but mostly confident in. Your dress should make you feel like you could conquer the world, and win the battle of attention.
I love a good party, and an even better party dress and this winter there is definitely a beautiful, if maybe a little less traditional selection that i can’t wait to get my hands on.
