How to get your office Christmas party outfit right
Former Downing Street adviser and stylist Isabel Spearman answers your workwear style dilemmas.
Q. What would you recommend wearing to a corporate Christmas party - and is there anything that would double up for off-duty festivities too?
A. I’m such a magpie at the moment, tempted by anything sparkly or metallic. It’s very easy to panic buy an outfit for the party season, but much harder to find something that will do for a work event as well. In the words of a wise friend: buy less and buy better. Seek out items that can be worn for evening functions throughout the year, so you look smart and appropriate in front of colleagues and bosses, rather than like a Christmas bauble; Hobbs’ tuxedo dress with elegant sheer sleeves is a perfect example. A printed blouse (Whistles has some great ones in at the moment) can be worn with a pair of well-cut black trousers (maybe not the same ones you wear to work) and dressed down with jeans for casual occasions. Tara Jarmon’s green silk blouse will look festive with sparkly earrings, but without them can be worn year-round. Pay close attention to fabrics, too: much as I adore velvet, there really is a such a short time frame to wear it.
A jumpsuit is a good option, and increasingly easy to find: Boden has lots on offer, and its floral Belgrave style would have the most longevity. Otherwise, look for a midi length dress to show off a statement shoe. I’ve been trying to justify buying this beautiful multi-coloured Saloni number which I could team with gold accessories now and pink for summer weddings. And, with its funnel neck collar and long sleeves to balance out the ruffles on the skirt, I would 100 per cent wear it to work functions beyond the Christmas ‘do.
Hobbs tux dress, £249, John Lewis; Ruffle printed dress, £625, Saloni; Belgrave jumpsuit, £198 (boden.co.uk)
If you really need to up the ante for a black tie dress code, then check out online brands Three Floor and C/MEO Collective. Both have styles in lace which is a brilliant year-round fabric. And remember, for the inner magpie, you can always add some seriously sparkly accessories.
