FASHION

MEET THE PARTYWEAR HEROES YOU CAN RELY ON THIS SEASON

By Lizzie Griffin, 8 December 2025

At this time of year, your social calendar can turn into a chaotic carousel of Friendsmas feasts, secret Santa dinners and after-dark office parties that somehow involve more planning than Christmas Day itself. And with every RSVP comes the inevitable panic of ‘What do I wear?’. That’s why the true gift of the season is a hard-working hero piece – something that can transform your look without demanding an entirely new outfit. From the sequin skirt to the festive bow, consider these partywear saviours your festive go-tos – reliable, elevated and in some cases, sparkly.

THE SEQUIN SKIRT

Images of sequin skirts | ASOS Style Feed

Thanks to its minimal effort and maximum impact, the sequin skirt has earned its place as a perpetual partywear hero. After seeing countless sequins on the autumn/winter catwalks of Ashish and Roksanda, is it any wonder it’s having a moment this year? The sequin skirt's real magic lies in its ability to add instant polish to the basics you already own. Channel after-dark energy with a green sequin mini and a sleek black tank, or mix textures with a lace-and-sequin maxi paired with your go-to soft grey jumper – sorry but it doesn’t get more versatile than that. Proof that the sequin skirt always delivers.

GET THE LOOK:
ASOS DESIGN Curve mixed sequin mini skirt in green, £36
ARRANGE Curve futurist sequin fringe hem midi skirt in silver, £150

Topshop sequin mini skirt in burgundy, £60
ASOS DESIGN delicate lace scatter sequin maxi skirt in pink, £45

THE KITTEN HEEL

Images of kitten heels | ASOS Style Feed

Looking to add a little bit of leverage to your festive outfit without all the height that comes with a high heel? The kitten heel might be your party-season saviour. Comfy and dainty, the kitten heel brings just enough elevation to feel dressed up without punishing your arches. Whether it’s a sleek slingback in this year’s favourite shade of burgundy or an ankle boot with a pointy toe, this hero will elevate just about any ‘fit.

GET THE LOOK:
RAID Laura kitten heel slingback shoes in burgundy croc, £30
Bershka Kitten heel ankle boots in brown, £39.99
ASOS DESIGN Sadie kitten heel shoes in black, £35
ASOS DESIGN Sydney kitten heel shoes in green embellished, £32

THE STATEMENT TOP

Images of statement tops | ASOS Style Feed

Sometimes all you need is a top that does the heavy lifting for you – and that’s where a statement party top comes in. If you’re heading into the office in jeans with a casual festive plan in the evening, you can switch your top half for something with more party appeal – think satin-scarf halternecks, metallic tops, sequin camis and tailored bandeaus. The jeans-and-a-nice-top formula will never let you down – luckily, we have plenty of styles that let your top take centre stage.

GET THE LOOK:
AWARE asymmetric glitter top in black and silver, £26
ARRANGE Curve satin sculpted bandeau top in black, £85
ASOS DESIGN satin scarf neck top co ord in chocolate, £26
ARRANGE shard sequin top with contrast straps in olive, £95

THE EMBELLISHED ACCESSORY

Images of embellished accessories | ASOS Style Feed

If your outfit needs a little Christmas joy, reach straight for the embellished accessories. A sparkling bag, gem-encrusted hair clip or a starry scrunchie can turn your everyday uniform into something worthy of a dance-floor boogie. Tiny touches will add instant sparkle and festive charm, so you can arrive at the office drinks or Friendsmas like you’ve had this look perfected for weeks – when really, it was pure last-minute magic.

GET THE LOOK:
ASOS DESIGN metal beaded adjustable strap clutch bag in gold, £22
True Decadence embellished grab bag in bronze, £33
ASOS DESIGN pack of 2 hair slides, £12
ASOS DESIGN charm scrunchie in navy with gold star charms, £12

THE FESTIVE BOW

Pictures: ASOS

The easiest way to look festive? Put a bow on it. Simone Rocha, Sandy Liang and Miu Miu all showed bows in their 2025 collections, and we’d be shocked if you haven’t already spotted at least one bow-clad content creator on your feed by now. Equal parts nostalgic and whimsical, the bow is this season’s ultimate finishing touch. Whether it’s fronting a mini dress, dangling from your ears, fastened to flats or tied at the back, the hero bow will have your outfit perfectly wrapped before your plans even begin.

GET THE LOOK:
Sister Jane denim bow mini dress with embellishment in black, £75
Stradivarius Flat slingback shoes with bow in burgundy, £27.99
River Island Velvet sequin sleeveless bow back top in silver, £36
ASOS DESIGN earrings with bow design in silver tone, £9