10 best budget party frocks

“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.