WearsMyMoney

It’s that time of year again. Allegedly, we can’t move for party invites and Christmas dos to attend. Or at least you lot can’t, because I have had a ton of requests for a party season edit. I’m assuming all of my invites have got lost in the post. I love working for myself, but there is a serious lack of office Christmas parties that comes with that. I do have two festive lunches booked, though, with people I USED to work with. Still trying to shoehorn my way into a couple more. I love a festive lunch do. You get to dress up a bit, eat all the good food. drink the drinks and STILL be home by 6pm. In bed by 10pm. Feeling fresh the next day. God, I must be getting old!

You should know by now how I feel about occasion wear. I find it tricky. I don’t like the thought of buying something that you’re not going to get much wear out of, so this edit will feature items you might have seen before but that you can mix with something more sparkly for festive days or nights out. Apart from the dresses: if you do buy a new dress, maybe spread the love and lend it to your friends so that they can get the joy of wearing it too.

FANCY PANTS

Be it a pair of on-trend silver trousers, something in velvet or even a full-on sequinned pair, fancy pants are an easy thing to add bling to your otherwise fairly ordinary outfit. Plus you can wear flat shoes. Always a good idea if any dancing is on offer.

1. Hush cashmere boyfriend jumper
2. H&M silver bead pendant necklace 
3. H&M silver shimmering trousers 
4. Jacquemus Bambino velour handbag 
5. & Other Stories oversized wool blazer 
6. Vagabond Delia ballet flats 

METALLIC SKIRTS

Kind of the same idea as the trousers: grab yourself a sparkly skirt to up the outfit ante. Add some chunky costume jewellery and your favourite simple black top. You can still wear your sensible boots, too. This is what I’m here for. I rarely get cabs so I need footwear that I can actually walk in, even on a night out.

1. Whistles square neck long sleeve top 
2. Sfoni chunky gold earrings 
3. Hush Raven pleated gold maxi skirt 
4. YSL June quilted cross body bag 
5. Oliver Bonas large link chain necklace 
6. John Lewis AnyDay Purcie leather Chelsea boots

THE CLASSIC TUXEDO JACKET

Something that every woman should have in their wardrobe. It doesn’t have to be the classic tuxedo – a smart black blazer will do. It will instantly make you look like you’ve made an effort, plus it’s a chic and timeless look that you that can pull out whenever you get ‘party-panic’.

1. Albaray cream tie neck blouse 
2. Jigsaw mini Tay crystal bag 
3. Sarah Verity silver black quartz adjustable ring 
4. COS pleated wide leg wool trousers 
5. John Lewis black tuxedo blazer 
6. River Island black studded loafers 

CASUAL WITH A TOUCH OF GLITZ

If I’m honest, this is the one that I tend to veer towards for any festive event that basically involves going to the local pub, but in December and with a group of people instead of just the dog. So basically the same as you might do at any other point in the year, but this time you have carte blanche to add a bit of bling to your jeans and T‑shirt. My favourite addition is the ‘fancy cardi’. I still intend to wear my Boden one from last year, but this one from Hush and this one from Albaray are my top picks this time round.

1. Mango faceted crystal necklace 
2. COS clean cut white T shirt 
3. New Look black satin faux pearl hair barrette
4. M&S leather metallic drawstring bag 
5. H&M wide leg high waist jeans 
6. Hush metallic knitted jacket 
7. Nike Dunk low silver leather trainers 

POSH PARTY FROCKS

If you’re really going ‘out out’, then you might need a proper posh party frock. Ideally velvet because it’s lush, it’s plush, it makes you feel expensive and it’s the evening version of corduroy. We all know how I feel about corduroy.

1. Saloni crystal bow velvet midi dress 
2. Ted Baker crystal bow stud earrings 
3. Self Portrait bow mini bag 
4. Monsoon Belle green velvet dress 
5. Boden suede bow heeled court shoes 
6. Esska Chazo onyx gold heeled shoes

JUST TROUSERS AND NICE TOP

I feel like this is the slightly more grown-up version of ‘just jeans and nice top’. It’s an outfit formula that I rely on when I’m called upon to look smart. Mainly because, unlike some dresses, heels are not required to make it work. Flats or loafers pair perfectly with your smart trousers. I’m sure you already have a go-to pair of smart black trousers, but if you haven’t, these wide legs from COS are great, as are the Damon 3/4 length straight legs from Sézane.

1. Selected metallic jacquard shirt 
2. Kirstie Le Marque gold plated diamond moon and star earrings 
3. Mango leather bomber jacket 
4. Celine Triomph leather mini bag 
5. COS wide leg tailored wool trousers 
6. Jeffrey Campbell Moira Embellished flats

LACE / SATIN SKIRTS

I’ve got a lace skirt from M&S that I bought in 2017 that always comes out at this time of year. It’s an easy, understated party look. Wear with some fancy shoes and maybe even a festive jumper, but please no light-up Rudolph noses or something polyester that you panic-bought from Primark. I’m talking a subtle bit of knitwear sparkle. Dress it down by day with loafers or your black leather Chelsea boots. 

1. M&S silk and lace trim camisole 
2. Louise Sinclair 9ct gold smiley diamond pendant necklace 
3. Monica Vinader Kate Young small hoop earrings
4. Mint Velvet mesh insert pleated skirt 
5. Arket gold leather cross body pouch bag 
6. & Other Stories sequin stripe jumper
7. All Saints metallic gold leather boots 

I hope this has given you some festive party-outfit ideas that you can put together from things in your existing wardrobe, with maybe just a small new sparkle addition!

K x