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Quick answer: The seven most party-ready costumes of Dancing with the Stars Season 35 so far are Jenna Dewan’s red satin tango gown, Jenna Johnson’s crystal fringe cha-cha dress, Maura Higgins’ red fringe for “September”, Britt Stewart’s teal sequin fringe, Rylee Arnold’s blush chiffon foxtrot dress, Amber Glenn’s ice-blue draped rumba gown and Julia Stiles’ navy satin contemporary dress. Every photo below is an official ABC press still (ABC Press).
Season 35 has been a costume season. Eight couples are left after Horror Movie Night’s double elimination, with Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson holding the season’s first perfect 40 (TV Insider). But party season is about to start, and the ballroom wardrobe team has quietly been doing the best holiday-party mood board on TV since the premiere.
So we went back through every aired week, from the two premiere nights to Viral Hits, Yacht Rock, Mariah Carey Night and Dedication Night, and picked the seven costumes that translate best off the dance floor. Ballroom dresses are built to move, catch light and look good from the back row. That’s exactly what you want at a party with low lighting and a dance floor.
Catch up first: our Horror Movie Night recap, our Dedication Night recap and the Dancing with the Stars hub.
A note on shopping: ABC hasn’t published who made these costumes, so we haven’t guessed. The cards are Amazon searches for similar items (lookalikes), not the exact pieces, and the thumbnails are illustrations of the type of item. Check prices and sizes on Amazon before you buy.
1. Jenna Dewan: the red satin tango gown
Jenna Dewan closed the second premiere night with Val Chmerkovskiy, dancing a tango to Blondie’s “Call Me”. It scored 19 out of 30, and Derek Hough said she put the “go” in tango (ABC7 New York). It was her first dance on the show, and the second-highest score of that night (Fashion Times).
The dress is pure old Hollywood: scarlet satin, a deep V neckline, a fitted bodice and a full skirt that falls straight to the floor. Val matched her in a dark burgundy shirt. In the ABC photo, there’s no sparkle at all. The colour does everything.
How to wear it: A red satin maxi is the easiest “I made an effort” dress there is. Keep jewellery to one pair of earrings, add a red lip, and wear your hair down and glossy like Jenna’s.
Photos show similar styles; links go to Amazon searches. Photos: AI-generated illustration by SpillPop; AI-generated illustration by SpillPop.
2. Jenna Johnson: the crystal fringe cha-cha dress
Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson opened the season with a cha-cha to Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Let’s Groove”, and their 21 out of 30 was the top score of the first premiere night (Today). It set the tone for a couple who went on to score the season’s first perfect 40 (Billboard).
Jenna’s dress is the most traditional Latin costume on this list: a pale silvery-blue bodice covered in crystals, with layers of beaded fringe that swing from the hip to the knee. Harry wore a matching powder-blue shirt and wide trousers, so the couple read like one disco-era colour story.
How to wear it: Fringe works best short and on its own. Choose a fringe dress in a pale icy shade, then add clear or silver heels so nothing fights with the movement.
Photos show similar styles; links go to Amazon searches. Photos: AI-generated illustration by SpillPop; AI-generated illustration by SpillPop.
3. Maura Higgins: the red fringe “September” look
On Viral Hits Night, Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas did a cha-cha to Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September” and scored 19 out of 30 (The Hollywood Reporter). The episode had every couple dancing to a song that went viral on social media (Wikipedia).
Maura’s costume is the loudest thing on this list, in the best way: a red bodice with tiers of red fringe from the waist down, so every hip action turns into a ripple. Mark wore all red as well, which made the pair look like one big flame in the ABC photos.
How to wear it: Red fringe is a dance-floor dress, so plan to dance. Go for gold heels with an ankle strap so you can actually move, and keep everything else simple.
Photos show similar styles; links go to Amazon searches. Photos: AI-generated illustration by SpillPop; AI-generated illustration by SpillPop; AI-generated illustration by SpillPop.
4. Britt Stewart: teal sequin fringe
Also on Viral Hits Night, Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart danced a cha-cha to DNCE’s “Cake by the Ocean” and scored 15 out of 30 (The Hollywood Reporter). The score was low. The costumes were not.
Britt wore a short teal dress covered in sequins, with layers of fringe that flare out when she spins, plus gold heels. Taylor matched her in a bright teal shirt. Teal is a great alternative to the usual December red and green, and it looks expensive under party lighting.
How to wear it: Treat teal like a neutral. Pair it with gold shoes and gold earrings, and nothing else that’s coloured.
Photos show similar styles; links go to Amazon searches. Photos: AI-generated illustration by SpillPop; AI-generated illustration by SpillPop.
5. Rylee Arnold: the blush chiffon foxtrot dress
On Yacht Rock Night, Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold danced a foxtrot to Fleetwood Mac’s “Everywhere” and scored 20 out of 30 (The Hollywood Reporter; Vulture). Connor is still in the competition with Rylee, after a Dedication Night Viennese waltz for his father (Dance Mogul).
Rylee’s dress is the softest look here: blush pink chiffon with a fitted, lightly sparkly bodice and a floaty skirt that ends just below the knee. Connor wore a pale pink suit to match. It’s a very 1970s soft-rock mood, and it’s the one look on this list you could wear to a daytime party.
How to wear it: Blush can look washed out in winter, so add shine: a metallic pink fabric, or a glittery shoe. A soft wave in your hair finishes it.
Photos show similar styles; links go to Amazon searches. Photos: AI-generated illustration by SpillPop; AI-generated illustration by SpillPop.
6. Amber Glenn: the ice-blue rumba gown
On Mariah Carey Night, Olympic figure skater Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov danced a rumba to “Hero” and scored 23 out of 30 (The Hollywood Reporter). Mariah Carey sent the cast a message before the episode began (Wikipedia).
Amber’s dress is a pale ice-blue gown with a sparkly bodice and soft draped panels that fall into a long skirt with a high slit. Pasha wore an open powder-blue shirt to match. It looks a little like a skating costume grew up and went to a gala, which feels right for her.
How to wear it: Ice blue is the “winter wonderland” colour that isn’t silver. A satin cowl neck is the easy version. For a black-tie party, go for full sequins and a silver clutch.
Photos show similar styles; links go to Amazon searches. Photos: AI-generated illustration by SpillPop; AI-generated illustration by SpillPop.
7. Julia Stiles: the navy satin dress for Heath Ledger
On Dedication Night, Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa danced a contemporary routine to Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”, dedicated to her late 10 Things I Hate About You co-star Heath Ledger (Parade; Today). The routine scored 36 out of 40 (Dance Mogul).
Julia’s dress is the quietest on this list and maybe the most wearable: a deep navy satin slip with thin straps and a fitted top, over a full skirt that fans out mid-leap. With soft waves and barely any jewellery, it let the dance carry the emotion.
How to wear it: Navy is a softer, richer alternative to black. Velvet makes it feel festive. Add one metallic piece, like a silver clutch, and stop there.
Photos show similar styles; links go to Amazon searches. Photos: AI-generated illustration by SpillPop; AI-generated illustration by SpillPop; AI-generated illustration by SpillPop.
Quick picks
- Office party: Julia Stiles’ navy satin, or Rylee Arnold’s blush chiffon.
- Black tie: Jenna Dewan’s red gown or Amber Glenn’s ice-blue drape.
- New Year’s Eve dance floor: Maura Higgins’ red fringe, Britt Stewart’s teal sequins or Jenna Johnson’s crystal fringe.
FAQ
Who designs the Dancing with the Stars costumes? The show has its own costume team, but ABC’s press photos don’t list makers for individual dresses, so we haven’t named any. The picks above are lookalike searches, not the exact pieces.
Which DWTS Season 35 couples are still in the competition? Eight couples were left after the Horror Movie Night double elimination, when Tyler Cameron and Jackson Olson went home (TV Insider). See our recap for the full list.
Can you wear fringe to a work holiday party? Yes, if it’s one piece. A fringe dress with plain heels and small earrings looks festive without looking like a costume. Save the head-to-toe sequins for New Year’s Eve.
Where can I watch Dancing with the Stars Season 35? It airs live on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, and streams the next day on Hulu (Billboard).
Sources
- ABC Press: Dancing with the Stars episode photos
- ABC7 New York: premiere night two
- Today: Season 35 premiere
- The Hollywood Reporter: Viral Hits Night, Yacht Rock Night and Mariah Carey Night
- Parade: Dedication Night
- TV Insider: Horror Movie Night
Photo note: every costume photo on this page is an official Disney/ABC press still from the episode it aired in, cropped to fit. Product thumbnails are illustrations, not photos of the actual items.
