Picture the scene: you’re about to head away on a beach holiday for a week or two. And you’re in the middle of packing when you realise that you’ve had a bit of a mind blank.
I mean, your daytime looks are down, but you’ve totally forgotten to think about the summer party dresses you’re going to want to wear at night.
(Doh.)
Do you dress down? Do you go full-on glam? Or do you go for something completely out of your comfort zone because LOL you’re on holiday and you’re never going to see those fellow holiday-makers again?
Either way, your nighttime holiday wardrobe needs sorting out and it needs sorting out pronto. There’s just no time to play with.
In fact, you spent any spare time you had making sure you packed all the travel-sized toiletries that you need. (And this was enough to clear out the whole travel-sized section at Boots – sorry, not sorry.)
The time is now. You need to make decisions – and you need to make them fast.
Lucky for you, I’m here to help. These 3 spectacular summer party dresses are essential for creating the perfect check-me-out-I’m-sunkissed-on-holiday nighttime look.
Essential summer party dresses to wear on holiday 101: a comfy maxi.
This option is ideal for the nights where you just can’t be bothered to make much effort or you’d rather opt for function over fashion.
Perhaps you’re in a hot and sticky location, or maybe you’re just grabbing a quick dinner with bae. Either way, you want something that you can just throw on while still looking chic AF.
In this case, the comfy maxi is here to answer all your prayers.
If you’re going somewhere fancy, style it up with a sophisticated hair accessory, earrings and a cute clutch.
Otherwise, merely pair yours with metallic sandals and a crossbody bag to channel ultimate summer holiday vibes.
DRESS – FEMME LUXE FINERY(*) / SANDALS – PRIMARK (similar) / CLUTCH – RIVER ISLAND (similar) / HAIR CLIP – EBAY
Prefer something that makes more of a statement? No problem – try experimenting with summer party dresses that attract attention.
I’m talking about the kind that come in a colour-popping hue or a fun in-your-face print.
(You know, the summer party dresses that make you turn heads for all the right reasons?)
Personally I love a bold and bright colour that I wouldn’t typically wear in England like lime green or neon yellow.
You can then use minimal accessories and understated sandals to tone down your look and prevent it from being too overpowering.
DRESS – FEMME LUXE FINERY(*) / SANDALS – AS BEFORE / SUNGLASSES – PRIMARK (similar) / BAG – BALI STALL (similar) / NECKLACE – BOOHOO (similar)
Another of my favourite summer party dresses is the elegant neutral variation.
This works best for smart casual occasions like upmarket dinners or when you feel like going OUT out.
Whether you choose to rock a black, white, beige or grey hue, the right frock will take you from drab to fab in mere moments.
Want to take this aesthetic one step further? Pick colour-popping accessories like a bright coral handbag with a simple cream frock.
Alternatively, if you want to produce a classy yet stylish ensemble, opt for metallic shoes and accessories in shapes and materials driven by the latest trends.
(For example, I’m currently obsessed with straw bags for summer.)
DRESS – FEMME LUXE FINERY(*) / SANDALS, BAG & SUNGLASSES – AS BEFORE
Even though there are multiple summer party dresses that you can pack for your beach holiday, remember to shop according to your personal style and body shape.
That said, if you want to experiment with different looks, a summer holiday is definitely the time to do it.
I mean, I don’t know about you, but being abroad by the sea somewhere is when I feel the most relaxed and free.
What’s your favourite style when it comes to summer party dresses? Let me know in the comments.
(Please note that this post was produced in collaboration with Femme Luxe Finery, who were kind enough to send me both mini dresses and midi dresses for review, and contains affiliate links. However, all opinions are my own. For my full privacy policy, click here.)
Katie Davies is a freelance writer, blogger and world-traveller from West Yorkshire. In the last three years, she has written for over 100 companies on a range of subjects, from fashion to marketing. When she’s not producing content, you can find her shopping, exploring a new place or sitting somewhere having a cup of builder’s tea.