By Kristen Daly

 

Party or event coming up? Sort your look for that wedding, prom, birthday party, house party or even just a classic night out with Showpo’s impressively wide range of party dresses!

As experts in the genre, we know dressing up can be scary - but everyone’s got a style that makes them feel amazing. If dresses aren’t your vibe, full respect... we might have some tops, pants, skirts or two piece sets instead to take your fancy. 

But if you say yes to the dress, read on! We’ve picked out 20 styles we just can’t get enough of.

 

Nightclub Dresses

Could this be the quintessential party dress? After so much time inside in recent years we’re practically begging for that nightclub dancefloor - and a showstopping dress to match.

Here at Showpo, and across the fashion world, the return to big nights out is a cause for celebration - with lots of glamour, glitz and glitter to go around. We can’t wait to slip into a tiny mini dress made of wet-look sequins or sparkly mesh. Inspired by the seventies, with a little 2000s flavour, these trendy mood-lifting minis are made to turn heads.

Delilaah Strappy V-Neck Slip Sequin Mini Dress in Silver Sequins

Rheasol Asymmetric One Shoulder Mini Dress in Blue

Birthday Party Dresses

Okay, birthday babe! We see you. This is your day to SHINE and feel like a million bucks, even if you don’t always like all eyes on you.

If you love the spotlight, and you’re looking for that perfect centre-of-attention birthday dress - may we recommend a close sis to the nightclub number, our Cally Shirt Dress. The silhouette is cool and laid-back but the colourful sequins scream ICONIC. Just what you want for making those birthday mems.

For a more toned down look, consider a black dress with trendy details (hello zebra accents!) like the Lionell Dress by Runaway The Label. It’s fun and a little edgy but more subtle than sequins.

Cally Shirt Dress in Green Sequin

Runaway The Label - Lionell Dress in Black Zebra

Wedding Guest Dresses

Now, dressing for a wedding is intimidating. There’s definitely a sense of occasion, so you want to look glam and put-together - but not too OTT. Wedding customs can be antiquated, but there’s still mostly a difference between a wedding guest look and a flashy outfit for the club on Friday night.

Main rule though, is you gotta love your ‘fit - especially with alllll the pictures you’ll be taking! Inject some personality without reinventing the wheel with our bold but elegant Brailey Dress, or consider a luxe satin midi or maxi dress, with unique details like asymmetric seams or straps.

Brailey Dress in Pink Floral

Monica Dress in Emerald Satin

Prom Dresses

On the topic of intimidating dress codes, let’s talk about prom! Or your school formal, homecoming or any formal high school event you might be attending. If it involves looking fancy, we know you’re probably freaking out; pressure’s high to nail everything including your outfit.

Thankfully, at Showpo we’re prom-prep pros (try saying that five times in a row). In the world of prom dresses, we have so many styles for you, dear prom-goer, to choose from. One of our most time-honoured silhouettes involves a plunging neckline, cinched-in waist and swishy, floor-length skirt. Divine! But you’ll also love our current-season styles like the corset dress.

(Psst - not into dresses for your prom? We also sell some smokin’ hot suits…)

New York Nights Plunge Cross Back Maxi Dress in Gold

Formal Event Dresses

So you’ve conquered prom - but still have fancy work dinners, galas or award nights on the horizon. Firstly, congrats, you’re really adulting over there. Secondly, you need an outfit! 

We’d like to say anything goes, but similar to weddings, these formal events often have a stricter code. For 10/10 glamour without too much fuss, we recommend a simple, sleek formal dress like our More Than This Maxi Dress - or something floaty with a flash of skin or two, like our Dangerous Woman Dress. The idea is to cover up a little, but still spotlight your bod in the way you like.

Dangerous Woman Maxi Dress in Ruse

More Than This Ruffle Strap Maxi Dress in Navy

Bar Dresses

Enough of fancy formal events! Now we’re letting our hair down and bringing the hemlines up. What’s a bar dress, you ask? Great question. It’s that dress you wear to Saturday night cocktails, or that fancy restaurant date, or that art gallery show. It’s definitely a party dress, but not quite right for the club; it’s all about giving off that je ne sais quoi.

With suiting on our moodboard, and ultra mini skirts coming back - we’re obsessed with this blazer dress by 4th & Reckless. It even includes trendy waist cut outs for good measure. Just imagine this baby with a killer pair of heels and your favourite statement handbag.

The other bar dress we’re lusting over? A dreamy satin slip midi, with a flirty thigh split. Throw on strappy heels and a trench coat in winter and you’ll be feeling a little bougie.

4th & Reckless - Bronwyn Blazer Dress in Beige

Flordeliza Thigh Slit Midi Slip Dress in Pink

House Party Dresses

Bar or club not your scene? Maybe the humble house party is more your thing. It’s a category of party we love for how casual, laid-back and sometimes messy it is - but this can also make it kinda hard to dress for. You wanna look good, and maybe impress some cutie you know will be there, but anything too expensive, uncomfortable or over-the-top is probably out. (Unless you like treating your house like a Hollywood red carpet, in which case, that’s iconic, and you do you.)

Ofc, house parties come in all shapes and sizes. If the vibe is cool and sexy, we recommend a mini slip dress like this beauty from Charlie Holiday. It’s a statement piece that’s super versatile; wear it with sandals or sneakers in the summer, or layer it with a coat and boots in the winter.

If mini dresses ain’t for you, but you still wanna have an it-girl moment - consider instead a strappy maxi dress like the Maya Dress from Amalie by Showpo. It’s the perfect pick for those more casual day parties when you wanna look refined, but effortlessly so.

Charlie Holiday - Lola Mini Slip Dress in Retro Zebra

Amalie The Label - Maya Strappy Cut Out Detail Maxi Dress in Blue Porcelain Floral

Garden Party Dresses

Unlike a house party, the garden party tends to be a completely al fresco affair - and you’ll be dressing for the elements. Yet, you don’t want to sacrifice style for comfort, especially if the occasion is a little fancy (we're talking birthdays, engagements, baby showers etc).

Garden parties tend to have a semi-dressy, whimsical feel (think Alice in Wonderland without the weird bits), so we recommend a romantic style like our best-selling Fancy A Spritz Dress. Featuring a classic A-line silhouette and flattering sleeves, it’s a bestseller for a reason. Alternatively, go for a longer style like this chic and feminine maxi from Amalie by Showpo.

Fancy A Spritz Square Neck Mini Dress in Black Embroidery

Amalie The Label - Maya Linen Tiered Halter Maxi Dress in Pink Linear Floral

Tea Party Dresses

Yep, we know what you’re thinking - what exactly is a tea party, and does it actually have its own dress code? Whether it’s high tea in a fancy establishment, or a more modest gathering around someone’s dining table - for us it's just an excuse to put on a cute little outfit and sip delicious hot tea, enjoy some baked goods and gossip.

For such an occasion we want to look sophisticated, and perhaps a little sweet - like the jam and cream scones we’re devouring. Comfort is important too, with all that sitting and eating going on. We adore these two swishy floral numbers in elegant but soft fabrics.

Waiting So Long Dress in Pink Floral

Crystabel Long Sleeve Tie Back Mini Dress in Pink

Summer Party Dresses

Ahhh, take us there! We’re forever dreaming of that warmth on our skin, the refreshing zing of a cool bevvy, lively chatter all around us and our fave songs queued up.

But it can be tough making it through a summer soiree without feeling like a sweaty, sunburnt mess by the end. The key to nailing a summer party dress is to pick a silhouette that’s lightweight and comfy, yet still elevated. We’re obsessed with this simple but chic midi from Amalie by Showpo and this versatile gingham mini dress.

Amalie The Label - Ivy Cotton Cut Out Waist Tie Back Side Split Midi Dress in Black

We hope you’ve found a party dress to fall in love with - now get out there and celebrate!

Shop Party Dresses.