Aftersummer2020, one thing’s for sure: We’re beyond desperate to socialize. And therevengedinner party (as in, a dinner party so epic that it makes up for lost time spent in solitude during quarantine) trend is proof. According to a recent study byButcherBox, nearly half of us are eager to entertain our friends and family once it’s safe enough to do so. Withvaccinationson the rise and summer weather on the horizon, hosting a next-level meal at our place feels more fun (and lower-risk) than heading to a restaurant. Here’s how to prepare for an unforgettable revengedinner party, from your outfit to the menu.
Introducing the Revenge Dinner Party: Here’s How to Dress, Decorate and Cook for the Occasion
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Dress to Impress
Last year, we lived insweatpantsandtie-dyetees. So, it’s no surprise that we’re wearing the most exciting clothing we own every chance we get this summer—and we’re not the only ones. PureWow editor Abby Hepworth can attest to the trend: “Generally, people are dressing up more and more, so wear cocktail dresses, fun statement jewelry, bold colors or even sequins—even if it’s just to a friend’s house for dinner.”
That’s right: Pieces you’d have considered only for special occasions pre-COVID are now totally acceptable to rock at a low-key barbecue or dinner party. Here are a few outfit ideas we love:
1. Free People Park Slope Maxi Dress In Bluebell Combo
Funky,Palm Springs-inspiredprints, retro sunnies and ’60s to ’70s-style florals are everywhere this summer. Treat yourself to a comfy-yet-sophisticated dress that you can gussy up or keep casual, depending on the setting. Your wardrobe could always use more bright colors, mini silhouettes and vintage glam, right?
2. Vince Camuto Hammered Satin Blouse In Pink Shock
OK, let’s say youdon’twant to dress up too much to spend an evening in your own backyard. Fair enough. How about a basic blouse in a vibrant shade that’s bold without being over the top? Take this satin pick, which echoes thehot-pink-everythingtrend that’s sweeping our closet.
3. Anaya With Love High-neck Maxi Dress With Tiered Lace And Tulle Skirt In Lilac
Bring on theballetcore. Instead of going the usual route (aka a tulle skirt with pointy flats or strappy sandals), dare to pair this dress with sporty sneakers or edgy boots for a unique look that’s bound to turn heads.
4. Amanda Uprichard Nashville Top In Butterfly
This signature 2000s look is back with a vengeance. Believe us when we say scarf tops *can* look chic, elegant and mature, especially when paired with cropped jeans, cool joggers or heeled sandals.
5.Cowl Slip Midi Dress
You have a ton of rescheduled weddings to attend over the next two years. Thankfully, theslip dressisn’t disappearing anytime soon, so consider this purchase an investment. Show it off to your friends while you host, then repurpose it for every formal event on your itinerary.
6. Gucci Logo Rubber Platform Sandals
Sure, they’re a splurge. But they work with pretty much every singlesummer outfityou can think of. Wear them by the pool, to a fancy rooftop bar and, most importantly, your backyard revenge party. (They’ll look stellar on Insta, BTW.)
1. Gerson Long Electric Light String Set, 20 Count
Nothing takes anoutdoor spacefrom basic to enchanting as quickly as string lights. (And since there are atonof elegant, affordable ones on the market, you don’t need to settle for last year’s Christmas lights.)
Buy it ($29)
2. Threshold Citronella Ceramic Clay 1-wick Candle
Forget the massive torches. These will keep the bugs awayandblend right into theambiance, thanks to their mod, sleek design and natural colors.
Buy it ($12)
3. Wildflower Table Runner By April Cornell
We’re big fans of pairing a bold, seasonal table runner with low-key, neutral dinnerware. That way, the table looks decorated without being too busy, and there will be nothing to distract from all the gorgeous food. Light a few candles or tealights, put some flowers in the center and you’re good to go.
4. Le Creuset 16-piece Dinnerware Set In Nutmeg
Your favoriteDutch ovenbrand does way more than just…well, Dutch ovens. This set is made of dense stoneware, meaning each piece retains heat like a charm and is coated in stain- and scratch-resistant enamel for durability.
6. Brightland Summer Grilling Capsule
Show off yourgrillingskills withBrightland的newest set that includes all the essentials, from coarse salt tocedar planks. The most important part? The LUCID lemon olive oil, made from handpicked heirloom olives. (It’d taste great on grilled fish, chicken or veggies.)
1. Grilled Flank Steak With Lemon-herb Sauce
Steaknever fails to make a guest feel important, whether it’s your dad onFather’s Dayor a romanticdinner for two. Marinate the meat for an hour while everyone’s settling in with their first drink, thengrill the steakfor about seven minutes per side. Once it rests, dinner’s ready to serve.
2. Weeknight Skillet Paella
Meet our favorite way to feed six people in one hour. Not only does thisshrimp, clam and chorizo paella come together in a single skillet, but it looks way more complicated to pull off than it is, so everyone at the table will be wowed. Serve it with a cold pitcher ofhomemade sangria.
3. Skillet Chicken With Apricots And Fresh Herbs
Behold, the summer equivalent to Thanksgiving turkey. White wine, cream and a whole shallot unite to create a decadent gravy for the savorythighs, which get crispy on the outside without drying on the inside. But the in-season apricots are bound to steal the show.
4. Mac And Cheese With Crispy Parmesan-phyllo Crust
Baked macaroni and cheeseis a must at every barbecue, but your usual recipe might not feel fancy enough for a revenge dinner party. Enter our decadent take, which features three types of cheese, a ton of butter and a crispy crown of phyllo dough rosettes.
5.Light And Tangy Coleslaw
Pulled porksandwiches. Barbecueribs. Grilledcheeseburgers. Fishcn.manbetx . This easy, breezy side plays nicely with countless summer mains. Our spin? Ditch traditional mayo for tangy Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard and a generous splash of zingy rice vinegar.
6. Rainbow Vegetable Skewers
We’re all for serving a cold沙拉(especially one withfresh berriesormelon在一个炎热的晚上。但是这些串re just too versatile and simple to pass up. Stick to one vegetable per skewer so each one cooks evenly—just be sure to cut them as uniformly as possible.
7. Berry Galette
The quickest route from zero to “OMG, how did you make this?!” usually involves store-bought pie crust. And since a galette is basically a freeformpie, you won’t need to fuss over crimped edges either. Genius.
9. Skillet Peach Cobbler
A one-hour dessert that leaves minimal dirty dishes behind? Pinch us, we’re dreaming. Cobblers are a cinch to assemble, considering there’s no kneading or rolling required. (Biscuit topping FTW.) All it needs is a hefty scoop ofvanilla ice cream.