It may be less than a month to go until Christmas(!!!) but unfortunately we’ve still got a few more weeks of enduring the rain and the cold on the way to lectures or work before we can go home put our feet up and hibernate without thinking about those distant deadlines after the holidays. This also marks the start of party season! Whether this fills you with dread or pure joy, the task of finding the right dress can always be challenging. It’s especially difficult when, like us, you’ve got the constant worry of buying a million presents for friends and family with an almost maxed out student loan! So here at Her Campus, we’ve shortlisted the best high street dresses for the occasion from our favourite high street stores. Whether it’s for the office party or a uni ball, we hope our selection inspires you to look and feel your best!
Sequins
What would a Christmas party be without a little (or a lot) of sequins? Definitely the choice for those who want to stand out from the crowd, let the dress do the talking and keep accessories to a minimum. Whilst these are on the more expensive end of the spectrum because of the intricate embellishment, we think they’re a fantastic investment buy – sequins always work at Christmas! Be it as a minidress or a show-stopping ballgown, how can you go wrong?
Topshop – £75, £60
- http://media.topshop.com/wcsstore/TopShop/images/catalog/35E11ISLV_2_large.jpg
- http://media.topshop.com/wcsstore/TopShop/images/catalog/35E30IBRZ_4_large.jpg
ASOS – £80, £85, £65
- http://images.asos-media.com/inv/media/5/3/9/0/5630935/image4xl.jpg
- http://images.asos-media.com/inv/media/6/5/3/4/5674356/winterlilac/image1xl.jpg
- http://images.asos-media.com/inv/media/3/4/6/6/5896643/gold/image1xxl.jpg
Zara – £59.99
Miss Selfridge – £49.50
River Island – £40
H&M – £39.99
Velvet
Velvet is the texture of AW15 according to fashion’s leading designers, and they’ve completely won us over. In darker colours, the fabric looks both sexy and high fashion, creating a very classy look.
Topshop – £36, £40
- http://media.topshop.com/wcsstore/TopShop/images/catalog/35B92IBLK_2_large.jpg
- http://media.topshop.com/wcsstore/TopShop/images/catalog/35B78INAV_large.jpg
Zara – £49.99, £29.99, £49.99
- http://static.zara.net/photos//2015/I/0/1/p/8187/728/802/2/w/1920/8187728802_2_4_1.jpg?timestamp=1446738900527
- http://static.zara.net/photos//2015/I/0/1/p/0787/021/800/2/w/1920/0787021800_2_1_1.jpg?timestamp=1446827171150
- http://static.zara.net/photos//2015/I/0/1/p/2731/253/802/2/w/1920/2731253802_1_1_1.jpg?timestamp=1442921882054
ASOS – £55, £25
- http://images.asos-media.com/inv/media/4/0/5/3/5823504/black/image1xl.jpg
- http://images.asos-media.com/inv/media/4/7/7/6/5986774/wine/image1xl.jpg
River Island – £75, £45
H&M – £12.99
Midi
Right now, everyone is crazy about mid-length everything. When paired with heels or flats that show off the top of your feet, this cut lengthens legs and looks ultra sophisticated.
Zara – £29.99
Topshop – £85, £65
- http://media.topshop.com/wcsstore/TopShop/images/catalog/35W63IGLD_3_large.jpg
- http://media.topshop.com/wcsstore/TopShop/images/catalog/12K13JECR_3_large.jpg
ASOS – £40, £65
- http://images.asos-media.com/inv/media/7/9/2/2/5662297/black/image1xl.jpg
- http://images.asos-media.com/inv/media/4/7/0/2/6062074/palebluemulti/image1xl.jpg
Miss Selfridge – £28
H&M – £39.99
Jumpsuit
Technically not a dress, but a great alternative! For those of you who aren’t massive dress fans, breathe a sigh of relief because after several seasons of ‘having a moment,’ the jumpsuit is officially here to stay for a while.
Topshop – £65, £79
- http://media.topshop.com/wcsstore/TopShop/images/catalog/12K01JBLK_3_large.jpg
- http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/clothing-427/playsuits-jumpsuits-2159081/velvet-burnout-floral-jumpsuit-4986172?bi=0&ps=200
River Island – £50
Miss Selfridge – £27.50 from £55, £39.20 from £49
- http://media.missselfridge.com/wcsstore/MissSelfridge/images/catalog/34A35RGLD_large.jpg
- http://media.missselfridge.com/wcsstore/MissSelfridge/images/catalog/29J01SBLK_large.jpg
Zara – both £39.99
- http://static.zara.net/photos//2015/I/0/1/p/2298/153/800/2/w/1920/2298153800_2_3_1.jpg?timestamp=1446830371614
- http://static.zara.net/photos//2015/I/0/1/p/8173/840/500/2/w/1920/8173840500_2_2_1.jpg?timestamp=1446727823290
H&M – £24.99
ASOS – £50, £55
- http://images.asos-media.com/inv/media/0/7/7/8/5708770/black/image1xl.jpg
- http://images.asos-media.com/inv/media/7/7/4/8/5678477/oxblood/image1xl.jpg
Pretty Little Thing – £15, £20
- https://www.prettylittlething.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/c/l/clq0362_-5main_1.jpg
- https://www.prettylittlething.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/c/l/clp9068_-15main.jpg
There’s so much that the high street has to offer and we hope that some of these picks have inspired you to invest or, if not, then to have a look at what similar items there are out there. Match with a pair of strappy black heels and you’re good to go!
We want to see your looks! If you happen to invest in any of our choices, send us a picture of your finished look on Twitter @HCNottingham or Instagram @hc_nottingham.
Edited by Lucy Jackman
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