As we approach the Festive Season, the chances are you’re going to be invited to various social events – Christmas lunches/drinks , dinners , office parties and the like.  I know that this can lead to some angst about what to wear so I thought I’d provide some pointers. Nowadays, these sorts of occasions rarely call for formal dressing but most of us will want to look and feel a bit more special than in our day- to- day lives. Women tell me they want to look stylish without looking like they’ve tried too hard. So, how to achieve this? The key is to keep things simple but go for some lovely fabrics and accessories.

Simple but Stylish

Jeans are perfectly acceptable for relatively casual social events, particularly in a dark wash, but do team them with a top with some sheen or detail. Some interesting jewellery adds a nice finishing touch.  You can find some good inexpensive pieces on the high street and I love the quality and versatility of what Stella and Dot has to offer.

A Little More Dressy

To take things up a notch, you could substitute tailored trousers for the jeans. If you’ve got good  legs some pattern and colour could work well or why not go for velvet to add a luxe feel?

Or how about a jumpsuit? They’re on- trend and simple to wear – just add footwear and jewellery and your outfit is sorted. There are stacks to choose from styles and fabrics ranging from casual to dressy. You’ll find them everywhere from ASOS to Zara but Phase Eight have a particularly good selection at the moment.

 

Step It Up!

Footwear can really elevate an outfit. Whilst trainers/loafers may be your everyday staple, for a “do” you’ll need to step things up a bit. Leopard court shoes like these from Dorothy Perkins will add va-va-voom to almost any outfit. If heels aren’t your thing though, why not go for something funky like these metallic brogues from M&S ?

 

Good Grooming

Spending a little extra time on grooming will certainly pay dividends. A touch of make-up will immediately make you look and feel more occasion-ready.  If you don’t normally wear it, you’ll probably want to keep your make-up fairly low-key – perhaps just mascara, a touch of blusher (trust me, it will totally lift your face) and a fairly neutral lipstick or lip gloss. If you already wear make-up on a daily basis though, think about intensifying things with a stronger lipstick or a smokier eye, particularly if it’s an evening event. Finish with a good blow dry and manicure and you’re good to go!