Can you hear it? The faint tinkle of silver bells calling all comers to plunder energy reserves, stock up on berocca and brave wintry climes with the scant protection of your best ten deniers?
Yes, brace yourselves, it’s the start of Christmas party season. And what better way to prepare than taking a gander at our five pieces taking you from boardroom to bar in swift seasonal style. Get that Prosecco on ice (ice) baby, because you’ll never be more ready than this.
1. The outfit
Day-to-night attire requires serious consideration. Is there anything worse than sitting at your desk all day creasing up your LBD and slopping yoghurt on your car-to-bars? Think on.
Although Christmas dresses are considered de rigeur, often a two piece is a surprisingly chic and practical alternative, with cover-then-reveal or quick-change-in-the-loo appeal. The Lexi sparkle tassle top from Whistles (£110) is sleek, chic and gives a welcome nod to 1920s glamour.
Moreover, it is easily slipped on to complement slim black trousers. Just add heels.
2. Face time
If you’re getting party-ready, faces must match outfits – in attitude, that is. A small lip and cheek palette will blend beautifully over your day base and pack up small, to boot. Our tip? The NARS Skin luminous moisture cream (£43) isn’t lauded by the professionals for no good reason. Hannah from the Lippy in London blog describes it as a little pot of decadence and to “use it sparingly. It’s so rich that you only need a little bit for the whole face.”
3. Bags of style
Forget toting your laptop bag around the bars – the buzzwords here are decant and downsize. Leave your laptop, gym kit and all other non-essentials in the office and pack up your bar bounty in this leather bag (£155) by Sézane. It’s one of many hand-picked pieces chosen by freelance fashion stylist Alexandra Stedman in her (most excellent) blog, The Frugality.
4. Splash the sparkle
Because what would Christmas be without the shiny stuff? There’s every reason for ramping up the shimmer for a seasonal shindig and this handmade Kiss Kiss sequin bar bracelet (£69) really catches the light with its delicate sequin discs. Whether you choose to stack it or wear alone is up to you – the wow-factor is irrefutable.
5: Coat (and arms)
No point hiding all that effort beneath a boring old workplace staple.
The time is ripe to pick out that smart number that’s been hiding in your wardrobe all year. And forget shoulder-robing, this year we can sleeve up once more without breaking a single style rule. Joanne Hegarty at The Stylist and the Wardrobe picks out some great new Leopard print coats in her blog, including this polished slim-fit Asos beauty – a steal at £85.
