CHRISTMAS IN ONE | FASHION
As a small forestry begins to take pride of place in your home and glitter drips from the hoard of cards on your mantel – your mind turns to dusting off your glad rags and RSVP-ing to each Yule-tide hap. But, as the parties draw near, we mull over the outfit choices for those imminent junctures – and baby Jesus knows, we don’t all have enough money to be forking out for a new outfit every time; so your best option, says Zoe Brookes, is to get yourself a staple that you can wear a variety of ways, for a variety of events.
Gals
The Deco Tea Dress; ASOS; £150 is a great all-rounder. It’s a long and lavish maxi and, as is the case every Christmas, embellishments continue to shine, so this dress is set to sparkle at any soirée. Yes girls – this staple is not only on-trend but can be easily styled for no less than THREE events with some simple styling tricks.
Christmas-Eve drinks with the girls
For Pre-Xmas drinks, play it cool. Remove the slip from the Tea Dress and layer it over a mesh top. Add some skinny jeans and tie it all together (literally-around the waist) with a plaid shirt.
Outfit: The Deco Tea Dress, ASOS; £150; Black Mesh and Embellished top; Lipsy; £38; Super Skinny Jeans in Dark Denim Wash; H&M; £19.99; HANDSHAKE Heeled Sandals in Black; £45; ASOS; Mille Shirt in Cheery Check, Monki.com; £18; Look See Perspex Clutch; NastyGal.com; £23.68.; Mixed Stone Ear Cuffs; Miss Selfridge; £8.50.
Turkey and Tinsel with the in-laws
For this sort-of daytime do, you’ll want to make like Nana cool’s prim and pearls – but with a twist – so slip the dress to a skirt by layering a crisp white shirt and woolen knit, cinched at the waist with a belt and paired with brogues.
Outfit: The Deco Tea Dress, ASOS; £150; Ribbed Jumper in Navy; Mango; £34.99; Poplin Shirt in White; Zara; £29.99; Tuffle Powder Buckle Belt; Next; £5; Black Sparkle Yarn Socks; Dorothy Perkins; £3; Miram Monk Shoe in Koram Flash, Dr Martens, £94.99; Handbag; H&M; £24.99;. Manhattan Necklace in Grey; Bijoux Bazaar; £26.
The New Year’s Eve Gala
You’ll want to let the dress do most of the talking, for this one, while choosing the right add-ons to guarantee turned heads. Our staple sequin-style dress will look amazing with strong accessories. Hello, rhinestone crown, embellished clutch and amped-up neon heels.
Outfit: The Deco Tea Dress, ASOS; £150; Gold Crown with Rhinestones; Topshop; £25; Baroque Pearl Hardcase Clutch, Accessorize; £45; Red Ankle Strap Heeled Sandal in Red; New Look; £17.99; Pink Punch – Ice Neon Nail Varnish, Models Own, £5; Set of Three Gold Twisted Midi Rings, Mood by Jon Richard at Debenhams; £4.
Guys
Save pinstripes and plaid suits for another season. In the art of transcending outfits, you need the versatility of grey. So your hot-pick is the Grey Slim Suit Jacket; River Island; £60. You needn’t worry about that manly capsule wardrobe anymore, lads. Just follow this simple list of clothes that can pull double duty — and make you the prince of the party.
The Office Party
The right suit can see you from office to evening dinner – for a special event – all it take is a little styling know how. For this one, scrub up nice and impress your boss with a full suit, tie and shirt ensemble.
Outfit: Grey Slim Suit Jacket; River Island; £60; Grey Slim Suit Trousers; River Island; £35; White Slim Fit Shirt in White; New Look; £14.99; Navy Semi Dot and Stripe Tie; Thomas Nash at Debenhams; £16; Black Shoes in Patent Leather; ASOS; £45.
New Year’s Eve with the lads
It’s showtime with the boys—this time at the nearest booze-up. They’ll never know it’s the same suit if you break out a fresh shirt and skip the tie – an open collar oozes confidence in an outfit.
Outfit: Grey Slim Suit Jacket; River Island; £60; Grey Slim Suit Trousers; River Island; £35; Slim Fit Blue/White Butcher Stripe Shirt; Austin Reed; £48.93; ‘Brad’ Patent Black Loafers; Calvin Klein; £65; Soviet Wallace Belt in Black; USC; £18.
Christmas Trimmings with Nan
Noticing a theme here? That jacket doesn’t come off. And it gains a whole new life when you dress it down with jeans to kick around town in your free time or meet up with Nanna for Christmas lunch.
Outfit: Grey Slim Suit Jacket; River Island; £60; Light Grey Marl Classic Crew Neck T-shirt; Topman; £7; Skinny Stretch Jeans in Indigo, Bellfield at ASOS; £35; Adilago Low Trainers; Adidas; £55; (Interchange with white laces); Cotton Pocket Square; Nordstrom.com; £12.95.