My Top Party Dress Picks For Spring and Summer

The season of socialising in the beer garden, or your own garden for a barbecue, is fast approaching. And if you’re anything like me, this is the perfect excuse to hit the shops and find a few new outfits for the months ahead – specifically party dresses! It’s a simple pleasure finding a dress that looks good and feels good, and it’s fun finding accessories to pair with it that allow you to wear it in a number of ways. If you agree with me and are planning on going shopping for a new dress (or two or three) soon, here are my recommendations for what you should look out for…

Pretty peplums

Peplum style tops, skirts and dresses are in style this year for a very good reason – they can give you a fun and flirty shape. This means you should easily be able to find a peplum dress in a cut and colour that suits your body and personality. There are some really cute peplum party dresses in the shops at the moment, and come in everything from racerbacks to capped sleeve styles.

Beautiful bodycons

Next up is the bodycon dress – which can be anything from a mini to a midi in length. Just like peplum dresses, there are so many colours of bodycon dress to choose from; I personally have my eye on a black one for nights at the club, and a coral one for daywear. It’s up to you how much skin you dare to bare, but you can get these dresses with cut out panels and lace sections for a bit of added fun.

Majestic maxis

You might also be looking for a maxi dress, which is a really comfortable option for a day out at a barbecue or festival. You’ll also get a bit of extra coverage from the sun whilst still having a breathable outfit so you don’t get too hot. Maxi dresses are often patterned so look great with plain wedges and chunky jewellery. On a cooler day, pair your maxi dress with a cropped shrug.

Perfect pinafores

One type of dress that is in style this year is the pinafore. It’s likely that you haven’t worn one of these since your early school days but you’ll be pleased to know you can find these in more than dark grey and black. In fact, the pinafore makes a great addition to your holiday suitcase as you can wear it with a cropped top for clubbing, or simply wear it with your bikini in the daytime. It’s all about the peekaboo playfulness this summer.

Tempting tea dresses

Finally, if you are heading to a more refined party this summer, choose a floaty tea dress and pair it with some sleek heels and accessories. Tea dresses often have cute patterns such as polka dots or butterflies, so you should be able to find one that works for you.

About the author – Ellen Royston is a fashion blogger from Croydon, UK. She is currently looking for pretty party dresses for spring and summer 2013, as well as a couple of new bikinis for her holiday suitcase.