PARTY WEAR FOR EVERY KIND OF EVENT
How to wear the best pieces for any club, bar or rooftop outing this summer.
Welcome to The Top Shelf: a shopping newsletter delivering bite-sized pieces on the most underrated beauty, skincare and style finds—plus a few of the fan faves—in your mailbox every week.
Some of the links included in this post are affiliate links, meaning if you purchase the items below, I’ll make a small commission.
Happy Monday! Though it’s the beginning of the week, I’m already reminiscing about Friday nights in my favorite cities. New York, D.C, Nashville, my heart yearns for you.
Summers are notoriously for rooftop parties, concerts and early morning rides back home with sore feet and a camera roll full of your best outfits.
Gen Z has been less social and more sober than past generations, though. According to studies, we’re drinking less—down to 54% in 2025 from 58% in 2024—and protein-maxxing more. Parties, bar crawls and nightlife are not obsolete, but it’s surely not what it once was.
Still, I love a good night out. A Boiler Room set? Count me in. The club? Let me put on my kitten heels and order an espresso martini.
The statistics don’t lie, but I believe partying (and party wear) is essential for every twenty-something. Getting ready, curating the perfect playlist and digging through your closet to find the right pieces for every event is a hard-learned lesson.
People with an impeccable wardrobe will know open-toed shoes are a huge pass for concerts but a must for rooftop bars. It’s the difference between a perfectly curated outfit and something merely for social media.
Either way, party wear (whether it’s for the club, the DJ booth or the bar) should feel free and fitting on you—made for dancing, sweating and everything in between. It’ll highlight your best features without sacrificing comfort.
That’s the perfect look. To me, at least.
Here are my tried-and-true rules for wearing the best party wear pieces for any event.
Semi-closed toed shoes are my favorite for concerts. Though flip flops are summer streetwear and beach day staples, opt for something more enclosed instead. Standing in general admission during concerts taught me to avoid getting my feet crushed by any means.
That’s why I’m a fan of low commitment shoes: low-heel or flat shoes that offer support, comfort and style. My go-to is an elevated sneaker; I recently ordered the Adidas Taekwondo Mei sneakers and realized it’s a shoe I can take anywhere—from the office to the dance floor.
For something more formal, wear a sleek pair of mules or kitten heels; they’re a little less low-commitment, (for the nosebleed seats) but the right pair will stun with almost anything in your closet. That’s why the Tracieshoes mesh heels are high on my wishlist.
SHOP THE LOOK
Lucasheva Iris Mules, $498
JW PEI Athena Artificial Crystal Flat Mules, $99
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Lift Platform Sneakers, $80
Tracieshoes Mesh Mule Slip-On Sandals, $56
Adidas Taekwondo Mei Shoes, $110
Steve Madden Privy Brown Mesh Mules, $100
Nothing is more vexing than being too cold in a skimpy dress and being too hot in a jacket that doesn’t match your outfit. The solution? Pairing statement outerwear with your favorite dress for a versatile refresh.
I love how Rihanna styled this rose pink nightgown with a denim jacket to give this sensual look a more casual tone. It feels effortless. Go for glamor, and you’ve got Tracee Ellis Ross in a sparkling dress and fur coat. The duality gives you an option to make your dress feel either casual or captivating.
Think Aritzia’s satin dress with a chunky fur jacket. Or Zara’s viral leather jacket with a crisp, white mini dress.
You can’t go wrong.
SHOP THE LOOK
Aritzia Nocturna Satin Dress, $138
Meshki Sydney Dress, $145
Zara Mini Fastening Dress, $80
L’Academie by Marianna Savoie Faux Fur Jacket, $368
Zara Faux Leather Jacket, $119
Gap Oversized Icon Denim Jacket, $100
Boiler Room sets feature DJs surrounded by the crowd in sweaty, mosh-pit-like performances, so leave the ballroom gowns where they lay. Instead, do a matching set. It’s easy to wear and effortlessly stylish, leaving you to focus on the smaller details to pull your outfit together. (Like a futuristic pair of sunglasses or a statement belt.)
I recently discovered Fashion Brand Company while scrolling through Pinterest and have been enthralled ever since. Their brand identity, like their apparel, is eccentric; even their most-common recycled fabric (because, of course, they recycle fabrics) is an “eek-ho” ribbed tencel fabric.
I’m in love.
Their polo, which you can also pair with this ruffled mini skort, is the perfect set. It’s playful, cheeky and breathable for those muggy Boiler Room environments. You can also shop some of my favorite sets from H&M and Peppermayo below.
SHOP THE LOOK
Fashion Brand Company Zip Polo, $112
H&M Asymmetric Halterneck Top, $10
Peppermayo Neverland Top, $75
Fashion Brand Company Mini Skort, $138
H&M Flared Satin Pants, $25
Peppermayo Neverland Mini Skirt, $68
The tides are turning from minimalism and quiet luxury to more audacious pieces. And from what we see on the runway, fringe is in (from Chanel to Givenchy.) But has it ever really left?
One of my favorite styling tips is to make an outfit more visually appealing by adding texture, and fringe looks amp up any wardrobe. Swap out a basic shirt with a fringe top and pair it with you favorite boyfriend jeans and a snakeskin heel for a low-effort, high-appeal look. Or go subtle by adding fringe accessories to your favorite dress.
The choice is yours.
SHOP THE LOOK
PrettyLittleThing Bandage Tassel Asymmetric Top, $84
CactusAndCoralInc Macramé Fringe Tassel Earrings, $15
Hanifa Niyah Tank Top, $174
AKIRA Zania Multi Print Wedge Sandals, $100
Xu Zhi Draped Fringed Mini Skirt, $830
JW PEI Nell Fringe Top Handle Bag, $139
This was so early 2000s magazine core and I loved every bit of it! Very insightful! Love love love! 💋