Luxe fashion for sunset sessions.
By Parke Ballantine
As the sun sets over Austin, painting the sky in ombré hues, the city hums. Whether it’s a hi-fi happy hour, a bat-watching boat ride, a SXSW afterparty or a stroll through the city streets, this magic hour calls for fabulous fashion. This season, channel the glow with luxe, eye-catching ensembles inspired by Spring/Summer 2025 runways. Metallic sheens, rich textures, soft hues, and bold statement pieces come together in a collection of looks that honor your individuality, ensuring you shine with every sunset.
The Gilded Glow
Draped in a luminous slip dress, you move with confidence, each shimmer amplifying the last rays of sunlight. Paired with sleek boots that balance refinement and edge, this look is for those who lead the way effortlessly – elegant, radiant and a “I woke up like this” kind of vibe. Sculptural barbed jewelry completes the ensemble. Bold, powerful and minimalist, sometimes the simplicity of a look makes it the most unique because you are the focus, one of a kind and shining bright.
Silk Laundry - Gold Silk Dress - $445
Staud - Wally Boot Cream - $495
Britt Bolton - Barbed Wire 14K Pearl Necklace - $1,586.25
Schaparelli - Dove Dangle Earrings £1250
Khaite - Medium Lotus Tote - $3600
Crimson Radiance
We all love the perfection of a spring time rooftop party. The long sunsets cast a perfect hue on everything, the temperature is perfect and time seems to expand. Soft pinks and fiery corals reflect the warmth of twilight, and this look brings it all, delicate and daring. The perfect outfit for the professional with an edge, you embrace the contradictions, you can be it all.
Zimmermman - Illuminate Pencil Midi Skirt - $775
Khaite - Yatty Top - Soft Pink - $1,180
Daniella Shevel - Romi Mesh Heel Boot With Open Toe - Lobster Red - $695
Mateo - 14kt Gold Baroque Pearl Strand Necklace - $890
Pink Reef - Jewel Box Florals in Neon Orange - $98.00
Olivia Le - Mini Flora Bracelet - $48
Ninemoo - Luxury Baroque Pearl Bracelet - $71
Alejandra Alonso Rojas - aura red and orange pouch - $58
Verdant Elegance
Deep green emerald hues mirror the transition from day to night, a refined mix of textures adds an element of intrigue to this monochrome mashup. Mixed metal accessories play with the so-called “rules” of fashion and embrace the unexpected. Pairing shorts with a wedge allows for an elevated casual option that is more walkable than a pump and less everyday then a boot or sneaker. This is an outfit for those of us who like to play with dress up and dress down dichotomies, classic meeting comfort.
Toteme - Monogram silk pj shorts laurel - $440
Dries Van Noten - Baroque motif shirt - $925
Simone Rocha - Drip Earrings -$355
Tami & Tami - The Shape Of Water 30R Ring in 14k Gold Plated - £75
Tami & Tami - The Twins 21N Necklace in 18k Gold Plated - £180
Saint Laurent - salomé wedges in satin crepe and metallic leather - $1050
Bottega Veneta - Arco small gathered intrecciato leather tote - green - $4500
Midnight Metallics
There’s something electric about the tension just before night hits, and this metallic ensemble draws that kind of energy. Deep blues and silvers come together like the night sky, part futuristic, part celestial. The structured organic lines of your accessories compliment distressed denim and metallics throughout. This outfit has function, mystery and invites the new and unexpected. Go from dusk to dawn and embrace where the night takes you as you embody suspended reality, seeking the unreal, the weird and the stylish.
PH5 - ZAHRA WIDE LEG PANTS - $375
Amylynn - Lulu Silver Metallic Racer Top - $50
Sam Edelman - Hazel Pointed Toe Pump - $150
Thorn and Claw - Fenrir - Wolf claw necklace in solid sterling silver - $248
Alexis Bittar - Crumpled Large Post Earring- Silver - $275
PSPAOLA - Bamboo Silver Ring - $180
Brandon Blackwood - Cortni Bag - $275
Twilight Contrast with a Fiery Finale
Like the last moments of sunset dissolving into darkness, this look embraces the drama of contrast. Crisp black and white create a striking interplay of light and shadow with a flash of red in statement sunglasses and cherry-drop earrings evoking the bold embers of dusk. You love a nod to pop art, fluid movement and the classics. With a gold clutch tucked under your arm, you carry only the essentials—because with your confidence, you already have everything you need.
Alice + Olivia - KATE MAXI DRESS - $495
Schutz - Paola Mid Sling Pump - $138
Poporcelain - Porcelain Red Cherry Earrings - $200
Zara - PACK OF METAL BRACELETS - $ 29.90
Ferragamo - 53mm Rectangualr Sunglasses - $255
All Saints - Yua Leather Clutch - $229
Shining in Self-Expression
Golden hour isn’t just a backdrop – it’s a call to stand in your own light. These ensembles give a nod to some of the top designer collections from the Spring/Summer 2025 runways but they also go beyond fashion; they are declarations of confidence, creativity and authenticity. Austin thrives on individuality, and this season’s sunset-inspired looks encourage bold self-expression. Whether at a music festival, rooting for the rodeo or embracing your luck, let your style be a reflection of your inner radiance.
Austin, the night is yours.
