The Party Dressing Hack Stylish People Swear By
Does the thought of getting glammed up for the festive season fill you with panic? You’re not on your own. Whilst almost half of Brits (48%) will be attending up to two parties this festive season, a recent survey by Very.co.uk has found that nearly a quarter lacked outfit confidence.
And it’s easy to understand why. Party season can push us outside of our style comfort zones, with the shops full of thigh-grazing hemlines, look-at-me sequins and figure-hugging outfits.
However, there is a party dressing hack that you can adopt to make getting dressed this festive season a whole lot easier. It’s a secret the most stylish people rely on: instead of reinventing your look, the secret is to dress inside your comfort zone. Afterall, there’s nothing that exudes confidence more than looking at ease in your outfit, rather than letting the outfit wear you.
To put this theory into action, begin by taking stock of your day to day wardrobe. Pull out the outfits you wear the most, and make you feel at your best. Then look for similarities. Do they all include a great pair of jeans? Do they mostly feature dresses and heels? Or is a sharp blazer in continuous rotation?
Once you’ve worked out your secret sauce, it’s time to work out how you can replicate these outfits with some added ‘zhush’. Take your go-to pair of jeans as a starting point, and do the 00s failsafe outfit of jeans and a nice top. Reach for a dressed up style like this gold metallic blouse from New Look at Very, or if shimmer isn’t your thing, something with sheer detailing to elevate your jeans.
To bring the look together, opt for some great jewellery, like a statement pair of diamante earrings (I have a high street pair that I have worn five festive seasons on a repeat…) whilst a cuff bracelet looks modern worn over a long sleeve. Finish the look with a pair of your favourite heels, or sleek point-toe boots tucked under the jeans, and your everyday denim is ready to take you to dinner, or the dancefloor.
My personal style comfort zone is tailoring – I feel at my best in blazers, tailored wide leg trousers and waistcoat tops. Which is why I think I’ve found the perfect party piece with the V by Very X Carol Byrne Lace Trim Blazer.
With a softly cinched waist and delicate lace trim at the lapels and cuffs, Very have taken a wardrobe classic and made it a little bit special for Christmas. I styled mine with a pair of Mango black flared trousers to create a suit, but this blazer would look equally as lovely worn over a silky slip dress, or with jeans. Lace also happens to be a key trend for this season, with dark elegance being seen on the autumn/winter catwalks in the form of lace dresses, trousers and suits. Festive, without being too loud or ‘look at me’, lace is a great choice if you want to feel your best without looking overdressed.
If you’re a cosy dresser who prefers to reach for a cardigan or knitted jumper when getting dressed in winter, my second outfit pick could be ideal for you. Pretty Lavish’s Cream Sequin Tai Cardigan in a delicate, antique shade of beige has a sexy, peek-a-boo lace fabrication, embellished with subtle sheer sequins.
It’s like your everyday cardi supercharged for party season. I styled mine with the same pair of Mango trousers that I wore with my blazer, but it’d look fabulous with a long satin skirt in a lighter shade to tap into winter white trends. Very also have a gorgeous grey cardigan with sparkly bow fastenings that fits the cosy-meets-chic brief, and some lovely jumpers with bow ties on the back for those that prefer a button free knit. These are great Christmas Day looks when you want to be comfy and cosy round the house, whilst making a subtle nod to the festive season.
Party season dressing doesn’t have to be daunting – pick an outfit that feels like the very best version of you and you can’t go far wrong. Feeling good and walking tall in your outfit is the greatest gift of them all.