Winter Fashion: New Year’s Eve party dresses

New year means a new dress, but which frock will you be partying in this year?

Common folklore about this time of year says that you should always see in the New Year with the person you intend to spend the rest of the year with. The Chinese also believe that you should wear a new outfit to bring prosperity for the year ahead. Any tradition that encourages you to go shopping should be fully embraced, in our book, so it’s in this spirit that we bring you a guide to our favourite party trends of the season!

LRD

If you want to make a change from your usual LBD, this year’s big trend is the LRD…little red dress. Dolce & Gabbana made a big splash on the catwalk this season with their Kings & Queens themed show, featuring all red looks in every hue, and now the high street is following suit. There’s a dazzling array of sanguineous shades to choose from, with both light and dark reds featuring in most collections.

Monochrome moment

If you prefer to play it safe, the old favourite combination of black and white won’t let you down. Invest in a little black dress which you’ll wear again in years to come or, if you really want to make a statement, a tuxedo-style jumpsuit will give you a Diane Keaton edge. Monochrome can be dressed up with silver embellishments and sparkles, but keep your accessories simple and you’re onto a winner with this look. It’s called a classic because that’s exactly what it is.

Sparkle and shine

If there’s one time of year when it’s ok (if not mandatory!) to wear sequins, it’s New Year. There are lots of occasions to wear them and you can dress them up with heels and jewels, or down with opaque tights to suit your mood.

New to wearing sequins? You might want to ease your way in gently with a sequin shift dress in a subtle tone like navy or dark green, which will skim over your figure and allow you the flexibility to belt it or add boots. That way, you’ll get a greater cost per wear from the item and can then decide if you want to push the boat out further next year.

Whatever you’re wearing this New Year, make sure you can move in it, dance in it and, most importantly, kiss at midnight in it. After all, what you do on this night sets the tone for the year to come, so make it a chic one!

Please note the items shown are from current stock and subject to availability.

Photos: Courtesy of The Mall at Cribbs Causeway

LRD

Red sequin maxi dress, £54.99, New Look

Bodycon dress by Wal G, £29, Topshop

Angele dress in red, £150, Phase Eight

Monochrome

Max Studio Cap Sleeve Dot Dress, Black, £65, John Lewis

Monochrome sequin dress, £140, Lipsy

Tuxedo style Jumpsuit, £70, Next

Sequins

Navy sequin dress, £350, LK Bennett at John Lewis

Aidan Mattox Beaded Cocktail Dress in Ivory Taupe, £350, John Lewis

Green sequin cocktail dress, £39.99, New Look