It’s been a week since December, and party season is in full swing. If you’re struggling with the age-old conundrum of “what to wear,” keep it simple. Stick to black and white and experiment with textures. This is a versatile way to enhance your outfit. Dolce & Gabbana’s AW24 collection is a masterclass in how to pull off the look. Try layering contrasting textures. Add a modern edge to your party look by layering silk under wool or pairing it with velvet and lace. Look for black-on-black embellishments for a timeless style that can be worn year after year. Reese’s black sequin shirt (4) adds flair without being over the top, and is styled with black pants and loafers. Next’s delicate glitter tuxedo (8) is another affordable style. For the more adventurous dressers, one of the key trends on the runway was sheer. From full-on, sheer shirts like All Saints’ Lace One (£119) and River Island’s White Lace (£46, main image above) to more wearable gauze shirts.
If the décor is too seasonal, look for interesting details, like Represent’s zip-up jacket (2), which will look sharp long after the last champagne cork pops in New York. Ditto for Zara’s tailored separates and Daily Paper’s chessboard print, styled with a gauzy shirt for a night out, but swapped out for a sweater in spring. For more formal events, a velvet blazer always looks super chic worn over a fine-gauge black roll neck.
Accessories are key to building a party look, and silver and pearl jewelry complements monochrome outfits. Try Tom Wood for minimalist pieces, Blue Burnham for nature-inspired designs, and Serge Denimes and Hutton Lab for trend-setting styles.
£119, allsaints.com
£190, British National Team Black
£55, cos.com
£118, reiss.com
£160, tomwoodproject.com
£140, UK.dailypaperclothing.com
£190, burberry.com
Blazer, £74, trousers, £35, next.co.uk
£330, grenson.com
£395, Mr P, mrporter.com