When the temperatures drop [1], the holidays [2] begin, and the department store windows get a festive update, all we want to do is dress the part. We shrug on our cozy sweaters and pile on our hats and gloves. The stars, on the other hand, have red carpets to walk. We're not saying we're not busy . . . it's just that, well, their agendas might call for a few more black-tie gowns [3] than ours do. And, of course, we can't help but take inspiration from their glamorous looks.
Yes, this time of year, the shimmering necklines, beaded embroidery, and lace embellishments of designer dresses are what our dreams are made of. One scroll through the 38 party dresses ahead and you'll know just what to wear for your thrilling night out on the town [4]. Here's to getting on your glitz and glam.
Diane Kruger
Wearing a Cushnie et Ochs dress for a premiere of Sky.
Olivia Culpo
Wearing an LPA bodysuit [8] and skirt [9] at the Revolve Winter formal.
Lupita Nyong'o
Wearing a Christian Dior dress and Aquazzura heels.
Mindy Kaling
Wearing Giambattista Valli.
Nicola Peltz
Wearing an Alexander Wang Look at the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards.
Hailey Baldwin
Wearing a Tommy Hilfiger dress and caged heels to the Night of Stars Gala.
Bella Hadid
Wearing a lace-insert bodysuit and tuxedo to the Global Lyme Alliance Gala.
Solange Knowles
Wearing a dusty-rose C/MEO for Saint Heron look at a collection launch.
Poppy Delevingne
Wearing velvet suit separates and a Victorian-inspired blouse to Chopard's Happy Diamonds cocktail party.
Emma Watson
Wearing a Christopher Kane dress, Paul Andrew shoes, Repossi ring, and gold K/ller Collection cuff.
Jessica Alba
Wearing a red bodycon coordinate set and white tuxedo blazer.
Kendall Jenner
Wearing Ohne Titel, Gianvito Rossi pumps, and Jennifer Fisher jewels.
Olivia Palermo
Wearing a Tibi look, Hayward clutch, and BaubleBar x Olivia Palermo necklace.
Suki Waterhouse
Wearing Topshop Unique.
Selena Gomez
Wearing an Elie Saab dress and Charlotte Olympia shoes.
Kaia Gerber
Wearing Emporio Armani.
Gigi Hadid
Wearing Tommy Hilfiger.
Ashley Olsen
Wearing a printed kimono-style maxi dress [10].
Kate Beckinsale
Wearing Sass & Bide.
Kate Hudson
Wearing Michael Kors.
Chrissy Teigen
Wearing a Jill Stuart top, Iro pants, and Vita Fede jewels.
Reese Witherspoon
Wearing a Draper James dress and Prada shoes.
Lily James
Wearing Erdem.
Nicole Kidman
Wearing Proenza Schouler.
Kate Middleton
Wearing a Dolce & Gabbana dress and Anya Hindmarch clutch.
Kerry Washington
Wearing a Spring '16 Boss dress.
Zendaya
Wearing a Kayat suit.
Jane Fonda
Wearing a Saint Laurent blazer and sheer Wolford top.
Kirsten Dunst
Wearing Gucci.
Olivia Wilde
Wearing Michael Kors.
Jennifer Lawrence
Wearing a Schiaparelli Couture blouse, Eres bralette, and Eva Fehren necklaces.
Victoria Beckham
Wearing a black suit and black T-shirt.
Kate Bosworth
Wearing an Erdem dress, Tabitha Simmons shoes, Christian Louboutin clutch, and jewels by Boucheron and Noa Fine Jewellery.
Adele
Wearing Valentino.
Elizabeth Olsen
Wearing The Row.
Queen Letizia
Wearing a Felipe Varela tuxedo dress, Inés Figaredo, Tous earrings, and Magrit Mila pumps.
Naomi Harris
Wearing Alexander McQueen.
Emmy Rossum
Wearing a red turtleneck dress.