Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, 31 October, and from there the invitations come thick and fast: Bonfire Night drinks, birthday dinners, the office Christmas party and New Year’s Eve. One or two good dresses will cover most of it, especially if you choose pieces you can dress up or down.
Pick a dress that works more than once
The best party dress is one you will wear again. A few tips for getting more nights out of it:
- Go for a strong colour or a simple stripe. A red or navy dress can be styled differently each time, while a heavily printed one is easier to remember.
- Think about the room. A mini dress with tights and pumps works for drinks. For a seated dinner, a midi length is more comfortable.
- Change the shoes, not the dress. Flat ballet pumps for a pub, heels for a party, and boots for a cold walk home.
Halloween without a costume
Not everyone wants full fancy dress. Black lace, a slip dress or a deep red is enough to look the part at a Halloween party, and you will still wear it in December.
Our picks
The Jigsaw crinkle jersey dress in red has dropped from £175 to £50 and is still available in every size from XS to XL. It would work for Christmas Day as well as the office party. River Island’s pink floral lace slip dress is the cheapest piece here at £12. For shoes, River Island’s lace-up court heels and mesh ballet pumps are both under £15.
Sale tip: party dresses sell out in the most common sizes first. If a dress you like is available in your size, buy it now and check the shop’s returns window rather than waiting.
Shop the party edit
Prices checked on each shop’s website on 21 and 22 October 2026. Sale prices and sizes change quickly, so check the shop before you buy.
-71%JigsawCrinkle Jersey Flowy Dress£50
-71%River IslandPink Floral Lace Slip Mini Dress£12
-73%River IslandBlue Tulle Short Sleeve Mini Dress£20
-71%JigsawStripe One Shoulder Dress£29
-71%JigsawStripe Asymmetric Neck Dress£29
-69%River IslandPink Pleat Neck Mini Shift Dress£12
-70%River IslandCream Lace Up Rose Court Heels£14
-72%River IslandBlack Mesh Backless Ballet Pumps£10
-66%River IslandBlack Lace Trim Tie Front Blouse£11Some links on this page may be affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.