The dress code for a night out – once dominated by similar iterations of LBDs and heels – is becoming a little more relaxed.
At least, that’s where it’s heading, according to stylist Carly Jordan, who dresses clients for some of the world’s most glamorous events. Clients of Jordan’s styling and sourcing business include designer Danielle Guizio, PR mogul Cait Bailey Carbone, and influencers such as Alix Earle and Audrey Peters.
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THE EXPERT’S TAKE
“I’m seeing a shift from the typical clubbing attire we saw the past couple of years, where people were in short, very revealing dresses, to a quieter sexiness,” Jordan says. “There’s so much more going-out fashion than the bodycon [dress]." The idea, Jordan stresses, isn't to dress down, but to make evening dressing feel less formulaic. “I believe that the best nightlife wardrobe shouldn't actually look like a nightlife wardrobe,” she says. “It’s about creating an incredible wardrobe that can get sexy after dark.” When Jordan is styling a client for a night out, understanding the evening’s itinerary is key. Are they sitting down for dinner? Dancing? Moving between several events? Being photographed? Those details dictate everything from the fabric to the shoes.
HOW TO STYLE
“I lean towards satin or chiffon. I think the shine of those fabrics, even if it’s just a simple satin black tank top, elevates a look and makes it a little bit more night-out vibes versus daytime,” she says. And while she believes that the bodycon has made its way out, Jordan is not suggesting that everything should suddenly be oversized. She looks for silhouettes that follow the figure without clinging to it. “Silhouette-wise, pieces should be very clean and body-skimming,” she says. “Nothing too wide, nothing too long, but also nothing too short and micro. Something that sits nicely and flows but still shows off a figure.” Her suggestions include “a low back with cool draping” or “a sheer moment, with a little bralette under.” She also likes “an oversized blazer paired with a sheer dress” or “a lingerie-style dress in lace and satin.” She particularly likes the contrast of a shorter silhouette with a sheer layer. “I’ve been loving those skirts that are sort of a miniskirt, and then they continue longer with the chiffon on top,” she says. “It is such a sexy, chic silhouette – showing skin without showing too much.”
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THE NAMES TO KNOW
For a dependable starting point, Jordan turns to Saint Laurent. “It’s always my number-one go-to,” she says, adding that the house “does a very understated, simple look well… It really knows how to make pieces that look good on a woman’s body.” Christopher Esber is another favourite. “Rather than making just a bodycon, Esber incorporates a little cut-out,” she says. “The pieces are always super chic and fashion first,” she says, “just with a side of sexy.” Alaïa, The Attico, and Ludovic de Saint Sernin are among her other current favorites, with the latter particularly appealing for its matching sets. “These designers lean more into the sensual, evening-driven aesthetic,” she says. Jordan’s advice is to invest in a great evening bag that is small enough to feel polished but still practical. “Lately, when I’m going out, I’m always reaching for my Mini Kelly,” she says. “I have a black Mini Kelly that I’m obsessed with. It completes every look no matter what I’m wearing.” When she wants something less expected, Jordan looks to emerging designers, including Le Nodo, whose beaded-fringe bags she says can instantly elevate an evening look. And when it comes to footwear, she is particularly uncompromising: “I will never let my clients buy a pair of shoes that are not comfortable,” she warns, laughing, “even if they’re begging me.”
