I Can't Decide Which One of These 26 Affordable Party Dresses I Like Best
It’s fair to say that, for 10 months of the year, I’m a pretty reserved dresser. I tend to stick to a neutral colour palette which is splashed upon classic wardrobe staples including, but not limited to, camel coats, pleated midi skirts and button-down blouses. But boy does that change come November and December.
Party season provides me with a safe space to unleash my inner magpie. I find myself gravitating towards anything that sparkles and shines instead of the muted pieces I usually favour. After all, sequins don’t seem quite so daunting when everyone else is giving them a whirl, do they?
Eni wears a polka-dot party dress from & Other Stories.
I relish the time when I can dress as frivolously as I please, but, knowing that I’ll fall back into the arms of my timeless wares come January, I never allow myself to spend large sums on sparkle. Instead, I turn to the high street, and for 2019 it has some of the best party dresses I’ve ever come across.
Everywhere from Topshop to & Other Stories has sprung into party mode in the last week with so many excellent dress options to choose from. Personally, I’ve found my favourite in Warehouse (the silver lurex midi with the coordinating belt is perfection as far as I’m concerned) but, with stellar offerings also coming through from New Look, River Island and Mango, I’ll be RSVPing to every night out and party going to afford me the chance to wear them all.
Keep scrolling to see and shop my edit of the best high-street party dresses 2019 had to offer. I promise that office Christmas party won’t seem like such an effort.
SHOP THE HIGH-STREET PARTY DRESSES I LOVE
Alexa Chung would wear this with ballet pumps and a red lip. We suggest you do the same.
Fringing has never looked better, and yes—we'll be investing in the matching bag to boot.
You'll definitely want to pair this dress with the jewel-buckle belt it's photographed with.
If your ideal party dress is Cinderella's ballgown, this satin number is for you.
Up next: I know good shoes, and these party-ready pairs are everything.
Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.
Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others.
Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.