Party Outfits for Women: Casual, Smart or with Glitter

A women's party outfit depends first on the type of party: at a club it can be dark, shiny and made for dancing, at a house party relaxed, and at a company party rather smart. As a basic rule, choose one eye-catcher per look, such as glitter, lace or leopard print, combined with calm basics and shoes you can stand and dance in all evening.

The invitation has arrived, and the question is back: what should I wear? This guide shows which party outfit suits which occasion, how to choose between casual and smart, and how much glitter a look can take. It also has outfit ideas you can put together with just a few pieces.

Which party outfit suits which party?

Club. Clubs are dark, warm and crowded. A club party outfit therefore thrives on shine that catches the light and on pieces you can move freely in. A short sequin dress, a black top with leopard pants or a lace top with dark pants are typical choices. You usually only need a jacket for the way there.

Birthday. Much depends on the venue. In a restaurant, a festive top with simple pants works well; at a party with a dance floor, there can be more shine. A skort is a good middle ground because it looks like a skirt and wears like shorts.

Company party. Smart, but not dressed up like a costume. A shiny piece in a dark color, such as a sequin blouse with wide black pants, looks festive and stays appropriate. Very short or very revealing cuts are seen less often here.

House party. A relaxed setting. Jeans or wide pants with a special top are all you need. Because there is often sitting, cooking and standing around, comfort counts for more than shine.

New Year's Eve. Plenty of glitter, but often a moment outside at midnight too. So plan your coat, tights and boots right from the start. More in the guide New Year's Eve Outfits for Women.

Casual or smart party outfit for women?

A casual party outfit combines one special piece with everyday basics. A smart party outfit relies more on calm, dark colors, flowing fabrics and clean lines. Both can be created with the same pieces; the difference usually lies in the shoes and the bottom.

• Casual. A glitter top or lace top with jeans, plus boots or cowboy boots. An open blouse or shirt on top keeps the look relaxed.
• Smart. The same top with wide pants or pleated pants, plus heeled ankle boots. Black tone on tone looks especially clean.
• In between. A skort or a short dress with tights and chunky boots. Festive, but not formal.

Glitter outfits for women: how much glitter and sequins?

A simple rule for a glitter outfit: one shiny main piece per look. If you wear a sequin dress, keep shoes and jacket matte. If the top shines, the pants stay simple.

• Matte partners. Knit, jersey or cotton make sequins stand out more because the contrast is greater.
• Dark tones. Black, brown and burgundy look calmer with glitter in the evening than very light colors.
• Shine in the details. If you prefer something subtler, choose studs, mesh or an accessory with shine instead of large sequins.

Two shiny pieces work well mainly when both are the same color. You will find the current selection in Glitter & Sequins.

Party outfit ideas for women

Lace tone on tone. A black lace top tied at the front with wide black lace pants. A top or bustier underneath adds an extra layer. With heels it looks smart, with boots more casual. You will find styles among our lace tops.

Leopard pants with a black top. Wide leopard pants, a black bandeau or top and an open black blouse on top. The print is the eye-catcher, everything else stays black. Take a look at our leopard pants.

Glitter skort with knitwear. A sequin skort with a light sweater and boots. Festive and easy to dance in. You will find more styles among our skorts.

A black top as the base. A black top with studs, mesh or a halter neck is a very versatile party piece: with jeans for a house party, with leopard pants for the club, with a glitter skirt for a birthday. You will find styles among our black tops. To go with this: sheer tops.

Off-shoulder with a skort or jeans. An off-shoulder top puts the focus on the neckline, so the bottom can stay simple. Take a look at our off-shoulder tops.

Sequin dress with boots. A short sequin dress with tights and lace-up boots or biker boots. The chunky shoes make the dress party-ready and are easy to wear on the way home.

Elegant party outfit for women: what goes with a smart celebration?

For an elegant party you choose a calm foundation and one festive piece: a top with shine, lace or satin with plain dark pants or a flowing skirt. Ankle boots with a heel or smart shoes go with it, and a coat or blazer over the top.

Three approaches:

• Black with one highlight: black pants, a top with sequins or lace, small accessories.
• Color as an accent: burgundy, bottle green or navy look calm and festive in the evening.
• Tone on tone: top and pants in the same color look unified and elegant.

You'll find more ideas for dressy looks in the guide Elegant Outfit for Women. Which tops suit a celebration is shown in the guide Smart Tops for Celebrations.

Party outfits over 40: what matters?

A party outfit over 40 follows the same rules as any other: the occasion, the venue and your own style decide, not your age. Glitter, lace, leopard print and short dresses are not a question of birth year.

It helps to plan around your own favorite piece. If you feel more comfortable in pants, choose wide pants with a shiny top. If you like dresses, combine a sequin dress with tights and boots. Which length, neckline and cut feel right for you is your call. Material and available sizes are listed with each item; the product photos show how a style falls.

Curvy party outfits: which pieces work?

A party outfit for curvy women follows the same rules as any other: the occasion, the venue and your own style decide. The following ideas are style suggestions and can be put together with just a few pieces.

• A two-piece set in one color. A top and pants in the same fabric make a ready-made party outfit. With heels and jewelry it looks festive, with boots more casual. You will find the selection among our two-piece sets.
• Lace tone on tone. A lace top and lace pants in the same color, with a top or bustier underneath as an extra layer. You will find styles among our lace pants.
• Wide-leg pants with a special top. Wide-leg pants in a flowing fabric are comfortable on the dance floor, while a top with shine, lace or an off-shoulder neckline adds the accent. Take a look at our wide-leg pants.
• Glitter as an accent. A sequin top or a glitter skort as the only shiny piece, with everything else matte. This keeps the look calm over a long evening.
• An open layer on top. An open blouse or shirt over a top is a matter of style and can come off when it gets warm on the dance floor.

If you are looking for a plus size party outfit: many pieces in the shop are one size, and the available sizes are listed with each item. The product photos show how a style falls, and what one size means in everyday wear is explained in the guide Understanding One Size.

Which shoes go with a party outfit?

Boots and ankle boots are a comfortable choice for long evenings and go with dresses, skirts and pants. Cowboy boots give jeans and skorts a relaxed touch. Heels look smarter, but are especially worthwhile when there is more sitting than dancing. You will find styles among our boots.

Shop the look: glitter & sequins for women and black tops for women. You will find more looks for every day in the guide Women's Outfits: Ideas by Occasion, and ideas for festive occasions in the guide Festive Outfit for Women.

Which outfit suits a concert, a first date or a Christmas party?

Many party outfits can be adapted for other evenings. The principle stays the same: one special piece, calm basics and shoes you can get through the evening in.

• Concert: jeans or wide pants, a dark top with a small highlight and boots. You'll find more ideas in the guide Concert Outfit for Women.
• First date: a soft top with plain pants or a skirt, plus ankle boots. You'll find more ideas in the guide First Date Outfit.
• Christmas party: a festive top in a dark color with a plain bottom half. You'll find more ideas in the guide Christmas Party Outfit for Women.

If you are putting together a party outfit for over 40 or over 50, you'll find more looks in the guide Party Outfit for Women Over 40 and 50.

Frequently asked questions

What do women wear to a party?

It depends on the party. For a club, something shiny you can dance in; for a house party, jeans with a special top; and for a company party, a festive piece with simple pants.

What should I wear to a club?

Dark colors, one shiny piece and shoes you can stand and dance in for hours. Typical choices are a short sequin dress with boots or a black top with leopard pants.

How do I wear a glitter outfit without overdoing it?

With one shiny main piece per look and matte partners such as knit, jersey or cotton. Two shiny pieces look calmer when they are the same color.

What is a good party outfit over 40?

Whatever you feel good in and whatever suits the occasion. Party outfits over 40 follow the same rules as all others, from a glitter top to a sequin dress.

What should I wear to a party as a curvy woman?

Whatever you like and whatever suits the occasion, because curvy women follow the same style rules as everyone else. Easy options are a two-piece set in one color, lace tone on tone or wide-leg pants with a top featuring glitter or lace.

What should I wear to a company party?

A festive piece in a dark color, such as a sequin blouse, with wide pants or a simple skirt. This way the look is festive and stays appropriate.

What do I wear to an elegant party?

A festive top with shine, lace or satin with plain dark pants or a flowing skirt, plus ankle boots with a heel. A coat or blazer goes well over the top.

What do I wear to a concert or a first date?

A special top with jeans or wide pants, plus boots or ankle boots. At a concert freedom of movement counts; on a first date the look can be a little calmer and more feminine.

What do I wear to a party over 50?

Whatever you feel comfortable in: a top with shine or lace with wide pants, a flowing dress with boots or a two-piece in one color. The same style rules apply to party outfits over 50 as to everyone else.