With the festive season fast approaching, Blake Lively is certainly back in her element. Lively stepped out in New York to attend the holiday collection launch of jeweller Brent Neale at Majorelle on the Upper East Side, making a sparkling return to the party circuit.

The actor and beauty founder donned a midnight-blue sequined minidress from Chanel’s autumn/winter 1994 collection. The strapless archival number featured a scalloped, petal-like neckline, with black satin bows running down the fitted bodice. She paired it with a black leather Chanel bucket bag, black Christian Louboutin Bis Un Bout pumps with transparent panels and ankle straps, and glittering statement earrings and rings by Brent Neale. Her blonde hair was swept into glossy, side-parted Hollywood waves. Serena van der Woodsen, is that you?

The alum, whose on-screen alter ego was rarely one to shy away from a fabulous party has long shared that same affinity for dressing up – and famously styles herself IRL. The appearance marks a return to the spotlight for Lively, who has kept a relatively low public profile in recent months. She was last widely photographed at the FIFA World Cup final in July, where she took a decidedly more casual approach to dressing, supporting Argentina in a blue-and-white striped shirt, jeans, and a white tank top.

But party season really lends itself to Lively’s style. Her wardrobe is a veritable sweet shop of candy-coloured dresses, high-shine fabrics, extravagant embellishments, and accessories with a sense of humour and novelty. Recall that bedazzled Judith Leiber pepperoni pizza bag, or the martini-shaped clutch she carried during the press tour. There have been rainbow Ashish tweeds, sequined Stella McCartney denim, and plenty of vintage treasures, including a turquoise 1960s sequin dress worn to a Tiffany & Co. event.

This latest outing finds Blake Lively returning to some of her favourite sartorial territory, and the holiday party season has only just begun.