PERSONAL STYLIST TIPS: PARTYWEAR OUTFIT IDEAS FOR CHRISTMAS

The party season is upon us, and I am sure many of us are aching to get together this Christmas. Whether it’s a corporate party or a celebration with friends, we want to feel festive and appropriately dressed.

With this article I will be sharing a few of my favourite party outfit ideas for you this season, based on the party you are heading to!

Colour Trends to inspire you for your winter party

Looking at some of the colours from the Autumn/Winter 2022 catwalks, there are some beautiful colours to inspire us for our party outfits.

The bright colour trends of Autumn included zesty lime, lilac, burnt orange and cobalt blue, which are wonderfully bright and enticing colours for this season.

A few deeper colours could be chosen for the evening which include burgundy, emerald, or brown which can feel more approachable versus the brighter colours, if the event is more professional.

Outfit ideas for the work party

When it comes to the office work party, you want to remain professional, yet bring in the festive feeling. Depending on the venue, you can dress up a little more formally, should the dress code require it. The first tip for dressing for any event, in particular work events, is checking out the venue and if there is a dress code.

You can’t go wrong with a dress at these parties. I do tend to recommend a longer hemline, from midi to maxi length can be the best option. However, if you do work in a younger more laid-back profession, you could opt for a shorter hemline, keeping yourself warmer with a bolero, or blazer.

A velvet wrap dress can be a good choice, this fabric is much warmer than others, and can feel quite luxurious too. With the wrap shape, this can work well on most body shapes as it pulls you in at the waist. Pop on a layered necklace for that little bit of sparkle, and a pair of heels for the finishing touch.

Another option, if you prefer to cover your legs, is a velvet jumpsuit, with a defined waist. Jumpsuits can be a little more tricky to wear as our heights are so different, so make sure to find one that feels comfortable and stops in the right areas for the best waist definition. A pair of strappy heels, long earrings and a clutch will finish the outfit with a little sparkle for your party.

If you prefer a two piece, then a satin midi skirt paired with a roll neck or a mesh top with a fun sleeve can be an approachable 2 piece look. However, you could go all out and swap the skirt for a pair of sequinned trousers, or even a sequinned suit with your roll neck underneath!

The great thing about sequins is that they can sparkle in the party lights, and when in a more professional shape such as wide leg trousers, they can be a little less garish.

Festive looks for your party with friends

A party with friends means that you could be a little more risqué with your look. A shorter hemline, more sparkles, and a little more personality can shine through.

One option that is a great start to a fun, festive night with your friends is a sequinned dress that has all of the party in the back! With a longer hemline you can play with the backless option, adding a bit of sexiness to the look. Thanks to the high neckline I wouldn’t recommend a necklace, instead, put your hair up and wear a pair of hoops or longer earrings. Pair with some comfortable block heels if you’re going partying into the night, and you’re all set.

For some fun, edgy inspiration, why not try a sequin covered top with an almost fringe-like quality? Pair with your favourite leather trousers, or even a pair of gold foil trousers to keep that sparkle throughout the entire outfit! Pop on a pair of heeled square toed boots which are all the rage right now, and party the night away. If you choose an all-black look, you could add a pop of colour with the shoes, such as a pair of pink heels, or even pink heeled boots!

So, will you be heading to a party this Christmas? I hope some of these ideas have inspired you to get an outfit together that you’ll love to party in, no matter the occasion.

If your wardrobe feels uninspired, and you’d love to find out how to create looks no matter the occasion, please get in touch. From helping you discover the styles that reflect your personality in the best way through a style masterclass, to helping you with a one-off personal shopping experience, I help people like you feel confident with their wardrobes.

Ready for a sparkling Christmas?

I put together a very special Christmas and Black Friday offer: the first 5 people who will book a Style Masterclass will get a 50% discount on a service of their choice, between:

Personal Shopping
Curated Online Shopping
Wardrobe Edit
⁠
What a great way to end the year, and start 2023 with a wardrobe that serves you, and boosts your confidence. ⁠
What's more, you can decide to claim one of the 2 services (or both) as a gift voucher.
⁠
Limited space and time offer. Please get in touch for bookings.

PERSONAL SHOPPER TIPS: BEST HOLIDAY-WEAR LOOKS FOR 2021

Many of us are delighted to once again be able to travel – whether choosing to have a staycation or heading to the beach overseas, it has been some time since we had to pack for the summer so you may be feeling a little unsure on what to pack and feel confident!

I wanted to share some of the trends and essentials for your summer holidays, to make sure you feel organised, confident, and prepared!

Pack crossover pieces

What are crossover pieces? They are items in your wardrobe that work across outfits! One of the key ingredients to a well-planned travel bag is having multiple outfit options and this is where crossover pieces come into play. Having crossover pieces will make sure you are prepared for the holiday needs throughout the day!

Pack your favourite easy to wear shorts if you’re heading somewhere warm, particularly if you are planning on taking in the sights around you, or a great pair of jeans that are comfortable and easy to throw on if you’re staying in cooler climates. You’ll also want to pack a couple of cardigans for cooler nights that work with your outfits, as well as tees that you can easily throw on over your bikini with your skirt, shorts, or jeans.

Summer dresses

When you’re on holiday, you may not want to consider the outfits to throw on in a hurry to get to the beach, forest, or activity, so a dress can be a whole outfit in one. For warmer climates a floaty dress can be perfect such as a maxi dress that you can easily wear over your bikini or swimsuit. They are easy to wear, and can be dressed up for the evening with accessories for dinner, or dressed down for the beach with your sandals.

Keep your colour palette minimal

To make sure you can match outfits quickly throughout your holiday, I suggest keeping the colours in your baggage to a simple palette. Adding a few pops of colour to update the look for a different activity can make sure you don’t feel too neutral on holiday, but you’ll be able to quickly grab a few items that you know will match together. Neutrals, blacks, or whites can be a good option, but if you are a colour lover, have a few monochromatic options that you know you’ll feel great in.

Patterns can be brought into the look through a tee, skirt, or jacket if you want to feel more playful in your wardrobe, but I suggest only taking one or two depending on the length of your stay so you don’t end up pattern clashing (unless that’s a style you love!).

Have a change of shoes

When I go on holiday, something I always regret not packing is my favourite pair of heels. We want to save space on our luggage, of course, but when you are planning to go out for the evening, and all you have is flip flops or the shoes you wore on the plane you may feel a little underdressed. Make space for your favourite shoes so you have the option to dress up and feel more formal for a special occasion. I’d suggest, in a perfect world when you’re planning to pack is to have a pair of sandals, a pair of comfy trainers, and a pair of heels/smart shoes.

Use tissue paper

If you have items in your baggage that crease, then you’ll want to save yourself the hassle of trying to find an iron while on holiday! Using tissue paper for those garments can be a real time-saver, and make sure that everything is neat and ready to wear as soon as you arrive.

Travel with your big bag, and pack a smaller one

When you travel, you’ll want to keep all the essentials with you on the plane in something like a backpack or a beach bag, but having a smaller option for the essentials while you enjoy the scenery will be a great way to save your back! I suggest finding a crossover body bag, as they can make sure your items are safe on you, they work well with many outfits, and can often fit things like a camera, your wallet, your phone and some sunscreen!

Wear your jewellery

Jewellery can be something we love to use in outfits, but I don’t suggest packing them for your holidays, as they can be easily lost or forgotten while in the rush of packing on your last day. I recommend wearing the jewellery that are your go-to pieces on the flight, and then add or subtract the pieces throughout your vacation. Items like a few rings, a necklace, and your earrings are just the right things to keep you feeling well put together, while also preventing attracting attention for sparkly beautiful jewellery while out and about. It’s sad, but true, that tourists are often targeted based on their clothes, so if you can steer clear of any expensive pieces, this will prevent any problematic encounters.

And of course, don’t forget the essentials like your bikini/swimsuit and sliders/flip flops (or beachwear) if you're planning to go to the seaside. I hope you have a wonderful time on your holiday, no matter where or how long you are staying. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the thought of what outfits will work, please get in touch – we can have a personal styling session to help you feel more confident in what to put together for your holiday, and for any occasion!

PERSONAL STYLIST TIPS - HOW TO PACK SMART

HOW CAN YOU PACK SMART TO BUILD CONFIDENCE ON YOUR HOLIDAY?

With the country coming out of lockdown, and many of us yearning for even a few days away from the day to day lives we have been leading during these uncertain times, you may be thinking of taking a short break. The most important part of making a trip the most enjoyable experience, other than the location and the company, is, in my opinion as a Personal Stylist, a selection of clothes you feel great in.

In this article, I wanted to share a few of my tips to help you pack smart, and make your break the most enjoyable it can be.

Make sure you really need the item/s you are taking

Research is a key element of planning for a holiday, the same goes for packing! Make sure all of the items in your luggage will actually be useful where you are going. What are you planning to get up to during your time away? If you are planning lots of walking and rest, you probably won’t need the stilettos. If you are looking to break by the beach with cocktails and date nights with your loved one, then the walking boots may be taken out, and the stilettos put back!

Really research what you will be expecting from the location you are visiting, the weather that may be expected, and what you are planning to get up to, to help you maximise your luggage space.

Only take items that bring you joy

The clothes you want to take with you are those that really make you feel great. Ask yourself if you will wear the item, and take the first response as your true answer. If there is doubt, then don’t pack it. Make sure that you feel comfortable, confident, and know that the items you are taking are joy-bringers. Don’t pack items you haven’t worn for ages (unless, of course, it’s a bikini that you loved on last year’s holiday!)

Capsules are essential

It’s best to have less in your baggage, than a confusion of items. Making a capsule packing structure will help you to see multiple options of outfits from only minimal items. Bring clothes that work together in palette, and ones that you know you wear together regularly. This will help you maximise space and prevent stress when picking out your clothes.

Plan your outfits

If you have the time, I highly recommend you plan your outfits, especially those that are for fun nights out or special occasions. When you plan ahead, your stress levels will dramatically reduce, and you will find you will feel joyous about what you pick out of your holiday wardrobe for each of the events you have prepared for!

Tissue paper is a great way to prevent creases

The old trick of using tissue paper (the type you wrap with) is actually incredibly beneficial! For some breaks, especially when you are visiting somewhere for only a small amount of time, you will not have access to an iron. You also probably won’t want to spend your valuable time getting those creases out of your beloved items! One way to stop the creases is to use tissue paper when you fold your clothes, especially those that crease easily.

Have fun

After all this time in lockdown, and only just being able to take breaks around the UK, the last thing I recommend for packing smart is to have fun. Embrace the time you have on your holiday, and let your clothes bring confidence, joy, and the ability to truly enjoy your time away.

 What are your tips for packing smart?