10 best budget party frocks
You don’t need to break the bank to shine in style


“I’ve got nothing to wear” will no longer fly. The invitations are piling up and you need to stock up on dependable dressy numbers. Cue our list of sparkling dresses for every kind of party — all-over sequinned or subtly embellished, mini or maxi, serious or super-fun. And the best bit? They’re all below Rs 10,000. Hit it, ladies!
Photograph: Sex And The City 2 (2010)

THE SMOKING DRESS
Embroidered wool dress with satin lapels, Rs 6,250, Altuzarra for Target at Net-a-porter.com
Usually a pants’ person? Ditch them for this shirtdress-like LBD. With satin lapels and clever embellishment, it’s the perfect mix of serious and fun, plus it’s practically a reincarnation of YSL’s iconic suit!

THE HOLLYWOOD NUMBER
Sequinned satin dress, Rs 5,800, Rare at Topshop.com
Remember Julia Roberts’ red dress in Pretty Woman (1990)? Recreate the feel with this off-shoulder, sweetheart-neckline dress. Swap the fire-engine crimson for a dazzling rose gold.

THE FORMAL AFFAIR
Sequinned crêpe maxi dress, Rs 8,210, Dorothyperkins.com
Have a black tie event to go to? Opt for a safe, ankle-grazing hemline but don’t scrimp on the shine. Black on black will keep you event-appropriate and lend a touch of mystery.

THE POWER PASTEL
Sequinned crêpe dress, Rs 7,500, French Connection
Stick out in a sea of black with a surprising shade of peach. The sequins keep the overall effect 3D while the silhouette is giving us major Gatsby vibes!

THE GLAMAZON
Metallic jersey dress, Rs 7,300, Piperlime.gap.com
Relive the parties of Studio 54 — turn on ’70s glam with this slinky liquid metal dress. Go for big hair, smoky eyes and strappy sandals, and don’t forget to make that disco playlist!

THE MINIMALIST
Embellished crêpe dress, Rs 6,500, Varun Bahl at Perniaspopupshop.com
Not a fan of over-the-top shine? Pick this graphic monochrome dress that comes embellished with matte-finish sequins — a quieter route to sparkle.

THE ’60S SHIFT
Sequinned crêpe mini dress, Rs 4,590, Mango
Channel your inner Factory Girl in this spangled, short number. Go all the way with dark tights, jangly chandelier earrings and flat Mary Janes.

THE LWD
Embellished crêpe dress, Rs 6,400, Star by Julien Macdonald at Debenhams
Don’t be tricked into thinking white works best on a sundress. Use it with a smattering of sequins and in a pencil shape; pull your hair into a sleek ponytail for a steely look.

THE SPRUCED-UP TEA DRESS
Embellished jacquard dress, Rs 4,990, Zara
Want to take a break from all that skin show? Don a ’50s-inspired fit-and-flare dress. Worried it might be too staid for a lively party? Accent the waist further with a metallic belt and wear your highest heels.

THE SPACE-AGE FROCK
Embellished Lurex dress, Rs 9,370, Asos.com
You can go to the moon and back in this glitter bomb of a dress. Don’t just save it for a costume party; throw on a pair of scuffed sneakers and some DIY bracelets and take it out to an all-night rager.