Fab Friday style tip: 4 key outfits for the Christmas party season

This time next week I’ll be in full prep mode for my husband’s work Christmas party. It’s just a small affair for … 1500 people.

I was in a similar position this time last year. The only person I knew out of the other 1499 people was my husband. It’s a daunting proposition showing up to an event where you don’t know anyone, let alone when it’s a dressy-up affair.

Oh, the pressure.

Pause for gratuitous Colin Firth photo. Shame it’s too hot for an ugly Christmas sweater.

I’m not complaining because, let’s face it, it’s going to be a hell of a lot more exciting than the party I could throw for my staff. Unless you all want to join me for a virtual champagne, it would be a case of me popping on a Santa hat, cracking a bottle of bubbly and pouring it into my coffee mug while I tweeted. Yep, I can tell you’d all be lining up for a piece of that party action.

Now, not being privvy to your social diary for the next month (yes, that’s right, it’s one month till Christmas Day), I don’t know what sort of “dos” you might have on and what wardrobe curve balls they might throw at you.

So I’m going to run through the most common and offer some suggestions on where to start, outfit wise.

But before I do, I do have a few ~~rules~~ gentle suggestions when it comes to being party-ready at this time of year:

1. Make sure your cut and colour appointments are booked in. It gets crazy trying to get an appointment in the lead-up to Christmas and, trust me, if all is going well in the hair department then you’re half-way there to feeling fabulous in any party situation.

2. Either book in for some mani or pedi action or make time to DIY at home. A good salon pedi applied next week should see you through to New Year’s. And you know my thoughts on Shellac? Yep, I’ve got my Shellac appointments all locked in. My hands intend to be wrapped around many a champagne glass and I want my nails to be noticed in a good way, not in a “oh my God how can she call herself a beauty writer way”.

3. If you’re after a golden glow to work back with your party frock, then either go hard on the gradual self-tanner everyday for the next month or book one or two salon spray tans for key times.

4. Make a list of all the parties, gatherings or catch-ups you’ve got coming up and see if you have clothes in your wardrobe that would work perfectly for those occasions. If there’s a glaring gap and you’re wanting to splash out on something new, then go for it. I’d just suggest you buy something you know you’ll still wear again this season. Kaftan and maxi styles are perfect for this as they can be dressed up with heels and dressed down with flats for two quite different looks.

5. Be like a human Christmas tree and go crazy in the accessories department. Too much bling is never enough at this time of year.

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