Sarah Paulson's latest turn is in Ryan Murphy's All Fair, a legal drama that centres on, wait for it, "a team of female divorce attorneys" that also includes Kim Kardashian, Naomi Watts, Niecy Nash-Betts, Teyana Taylor and Glenn Close. So it made sense that for a promo appearance yesterday, Paulson's outfit mixed a corporate dress code with something a little more, shall we say, dramatic.
Adopting the outfit formula of business on top and party on the bottom, Paulson wore contrasting separates from Tory Burch—a double-breasted blazer with the cuffs rolled to expose her wrists and a powder-blue embellished skirt (not feathers but certainly something textured to give it wisp).
With finishing touches including curved-heel pumps, crystallised drop earrings and firetruck-red nails (plus matching lips), it was perfectly-timed ahead of party season and gave us, you, everyone the license to not just invest in a party skirt—but wear it now.
Yes, it's not even November, but what's the point of only showing your party skirt a good time in December? Instead, make like Paulson, who by paring hers back ever-so-slightly with a "sensible" top half, made it suitably appropriate for a daytime outing. (Your embellishment of choice is really up to you, but there's already a wealth of fringe, sequins, appliqué, beads, feathers, you name it, on shop floors as we speak.)
And there are plenty more pairings other than a blazer to wear your skirt with, by the way. From a cardigan to a leather bomber jacket, here are the five ways you can style your party skirt in the countdown to Christmas.
5 Ways To Wear The Embellished Skirt
With A Blazer
This slim-fit blazer is subtly tailored, meaning it will give your skirt an even more elevated appearance.
The Arrange collection at Asos is our best-kept secret for party season. Case in point is this jumbo sequin skirt.
Match the mesh of your skirt with something equally translucent on your feet.
With A Knit
Offering a chunky yet delectably soft hand-feel, Navygrey's jumper is chic as well as cosy.
Joseph's sequinned column skirt in jewel-toned amethyst doesn't need a loud top half to steal the show.
Balance out the slouchy sweater with a sharp pair of sling backs. This pair from Mango look way beyond their High St price tag.
With A Leather Bomber Jacket
A chocolate brown leather jacket couldn't be a better partner for a lace-embellished skirt.
Tuck a cosy turtleneck sweater until your leather jacket for extra warmth.
The lace slip trend is still the gift that keeps on giving, especially this versatile skirt version.
The midi height of these slingbacks will mean you can dance all night in them (or most of the night at least!).
With A Cardigan
Chinti & Parker's chartreuse knit will pep a party kilt in no time.
A kilt with a flourish in the form of a feathered plume? Party season or no, it feels like a once-in-a-lifetime kind of skirt.
Party skirts arent just for after dark. The weighty fabric of the skirt and lower heel make this outfit choice a great day to night option.
With A White Shirt
With Nothing Underneath is our go-to for well-crafted shirting that's ripe for parties (and whatever occasion you can think of).
You can easily pare back a fringed (not to mention sequinned) party skirt with an elegant white shirt.
Tory Burch's curve-heel, peep-toe pumps will bring edge to your party-season attire.