If you’ve opened any social media app recently, you’ve probably seen a sparkly ‘fit pic staged in front of a taxi or a velvet couch with disco balls in the background. What is this blinged-out, flash-photography-only vibe, you ask? Meet Night Luxe, the glamorous, aesthetic that TikTok can’t stop talking about.
In the past two years, the social media platform has established itself as a major forecaster, determining which fashion trends are here to stay and which are getting kicked out. You might've seen these TikTok fashion brands all over your FYP or started dressing in the Twee aesthetic because of its recent resurgence on the video app. Night Luxe is the new kid in town.
First of all, what is Night Luxe exactly?
To properly understand Night Luxe, picture this: the sparkling Eiffel Tower, glasses of champagne, glitter heels, roaring ‘20s opulence, and plenty of hazy, blurry photos.
The aesthetic is about getting dressed up, hitting the town, and making the most of your post-work (or post-school) hours. Rather than leaning into TikTok's "That Girl" trope which glorifies maximizing your waking hours for purported health benefits, Night Luxe is about indulging in little extravagances and living your best life after the sun goes down.
How to get the Night Luxe look
If you’re hoping to emulate this vibe shift in your going-out 'fits, we suggest little black dresses, velvety fabrics, glittery colors, and plenty of bling. Think polished Bond girl meets Gossip Girl in NYC. Don’t be afraid to go for maximalist ensembles with more oomph. Try a silky midi slip, or go short, short, short in the viral Miscreants puff-sleeve dress — but if paying $407 for a dress is looking a little out of your budget, we found a prettyyyy good dupe on Amazon.
Breaking down the wardrobe
The must-have elements to achieve your ultimate Night Luxe dreams are silk, sequins, and black leather. We've got you covered on all three.
Editor's Tip: Not into dresses? Invest in sleepwear that’ll double as going-out clothes. We love silky matching sets that you can throw a classic blazer over to create the most polished nighttime ensemble, because nobody will know that your 'fit doubles as PJs!
When it comes to the details, more is more
If you're thinking about accessories, diamonds are always the right answer, but a sparkly piece of costume jewelry works just as well! Play around with pearl statement pieces, layered gold necklaces, and mix-n-match rings. Opera gloves are a must — a little styling trick that Dua Lipa recently rocked is wearing your rings that are slightly too big over a pair of gloves for max opulence. Plus, it makes for a perfect detail shot when you’re posting your look to IG.
For hair, don’t be afraid to style a more mussed look with pearl accessories. We’re not chasing perfection here, so it’s totally fine to have tousled bed-head.
Anthropologie Set of 3 Pearly Barrettes
Valleycomfy Bling Bling Crystals Evening Clutch Bag
CARIEDO Evening Clutch Bag Beaded Pearl Clutch Purse
You can't go wrong with a black heel
As Marilyn Monroe once said, “give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world.” Trying to figure out which pair to invest in? Our vote is for a black heel, because mom was right when she told you that black goes with anything (especially for the Night Luxe aesthetic). We live by the rule that a gorgeous shoe is always worth the buy, but if your wallet begs to differ, check out our budget-friendly options below.
Hannah is the assistant shopping editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things from cute apartment decor to trendy fashion finds, TikTok products that are actually worth your $$$, and the perfect gift to buy for your boyfriend's mom. She previously wrote for Seventeen and CR Fashion Book. Follow her on Instagram for hot takes on red carpet fashion and unhinged updates on the books she’s reading on the train.
