From sleeveless maxis to belted minis and everything in between, ME+EM’s edit of flattering party dresses helps you to celebrate your figure.
Save for the weird middle time between Christmas and New Year when we’re never entirely sure what day it is and pyjamas are sported on rotation, our diaries are rarely free from at least one party or an excuse to get dressed up - whether it’s to mark an engagement, anniversary or birthday.
A lot of party-dress edits focus on the trends taking over runways, but the truth is that while we might fawn over the feather-trimmed or sequinned party dresses of Autumn/Winter collections and the dramatic silhouettes and bold cut-out detailing of Spring/Summer occasion dresses, the reality is these styles are sometimes anything but practical, all-encompassing of body types or synonymous with what makes us feel good in our own.
With that in mind, we’ve curated our own party-dress guide. Here, we’re focussing on different parts of your figure, aspects you want to emphasise, show off, and celebrate. Ultimately, we want to make sure you look and feel your best in whichever dress you choose when the time comes to slip on your party shoes. After all, the last thing you want to be preoccupied with when you’re meant to be carefreely sipping champagne and toasting celebrations is what you’re wearing.
Save for the weird middle time between Christmas and New Year when we’re never entirely sure what day it is and pajamas are sported on rotation, our diaries are rarely free from at least one party or an excuse to get dressed up - whether it’s to mark an engagement, anniversary or birthday.
A lot of party-dress edits focus on the trends taking over runways, but the truth is that while we might fawn over the feather-trimmed or sequinned party dresses of Fall/Winter collections and the dramatic silhouettes and bold cut-out detailing of Spring/Summer occasion dresses, the reality is these styles are sometimes anything but practical, all-encompassing of body types or synonymous with what makes us feel good in our own.
With that in mind, we’ve curated our own party-dress guide. Here, we’re focusing on different parts of your figure, aspects you want to emphasize, show off, and celebrate. Ultimately, we want to make sure you look and feel your best in whichever dress you choose when the time comes to slip on your party shoes. After all, the last thing you want to be preoccupied with when you’re meant to be carefreely sipping champagne and toasting celebrations is what you’re wearing.
Maybe it’s because you spent the summer slowly cultivating an enviable tan, or maybe because you have always felt they’re your best asset; whatever your reason for seeking out a dress that shows off your legs, these are the styles for you.
Intelligently designed to ensure a flattering finish, our dresses with shorter hemlines are joined by everything from short, ruffle-trimmed sleeves to full-length ones that fall to fitted cuffs at your wrists. They’re also topped with everything from round to V-necklines detailed with button fastenings to accommodate different bust sizes and ensure a universally flattering finish.
If you’re opting for printed mini dresses, choose patterns that are grounded with deeper tones and neutrals to cement the styles’ place in your year-round wardrobe. These designs can be called upon time and time again throughout the seasons to perfect a party-ready look, whether you’re sporting them solo with a pair of heeled sandals or with pointed-toe heels and a dark, cropped jacket.
The beauty of these cuts combined with ruffle-trimmed details is that they practically call for a twirl, shimmy or boogie out on a dance floor or spontaneously in your friend’s dining room after you’ve given in to the temptation to hit play on a collection of nostalgic old-school songs.
A bit of a sartorial no-brainer: if you want to show off your arms, then a sleeveless cut is the best way to do so.
Married with a longer hemline, the combination ensures a statement shade or print doesn’t overwhelm your frame and creates a harmonious whole. These styles can be worn as is with flats or heels, as well as with layered necklaces and chunky bangles for a more elevated, elegant look. In short, they sartorially switch things up to suit the setting of your party or event.
A worthwhile investment, these party dresses create a more casual look when you leave the extra embellishments at home and can be called upon to perfect an effortless ensemble for daytime celebrations - be it at sunny barbecues or birthday picnics in the park when paired with a light-wash denim jacket. When the weather takes a turn, they complement fall and winter’s events calendar too, as the cut keeps you cool the moment outdoor socializing is replaced with indoor celebrations.
Hero your waistline in styles that draw attention to the smallest part of your body, for an hourglass effect.
Our belted dresses always have the option to be styled without one, resulting in party dresses that shore up your wardrobe with plenty of styling potential. Sport them loosely for relaxed, laid-back affairs or belted for a more polished finish.
If accompanied by a print, this belted detail also helps to break up the pattern. Accompanied by a flattering side stripe that works to create a sleek, streamlined silhouette, this ensures the motif doesn’t overwhelm your frame and become overly attention-grabbing.
Alternatively, look for styles that are elasticated or fitted around the waist to create the same waist-defining effect accompanied by a loose, draped skirt that falls to a wavy hem below your knees when combined with a longer silhouette.
Bringing together the longer hemline of our aforementioned sleeveless styles with the waist-emphasizing effect of our belted designs and the long sleeves of our shorter silhouettes, these pieces create plenty of coverage for a more modest - yet equally elegant and contemporary - result.
Discover silky, bright, color-pop maxi dresses detailed with tiered skirts that emphasize their wavy hems and are accompanied by practical side pockets. Explore midi dresses that combine a subtle, muted print and a dropped waist or a bold bespoke pattern and contrasting side stripes to create a streamlined silhouette.
While silky, lustrous maxi dresses might usually go hand-in-hand with a quick iron or steam before you slip them on, our occasionwear edits throughout the year are filled with iterations crafted from crease-resistant or crease-free fabrics to eliminate the hassle synonymous with the getting-ready process. The result: styles that retain a polished finish from the moment you step out of the house to the time carriages are called and you’re whisked back home.
Suited to dawn-till-dusk dressing and the full spectrum of events that could be filling your diary, these designs can be styled with everything from ballet flats and sandals to heeled boots and low-top sneakers, leather jackets and denim to tailoring, and never appear out of place or overly formal. You can thank us later.