HOW TO STYLE PARTYWEAR
THE WOMEN'S EDIT:
Get ready to dress for every festive scenario life throws at you: from the work do to NYE, and everything in between. Five looks, zero stress.
Party season doesn’t ease its way in, it arrives like a group chat blowing up at 10pm with “what’s everyone wearing?” Suddenly you’ve got invites, screenshots, dress codes and absolutely no idea which outfit works for which event. Don’t panic. Consider this your festive cheat sheet: looks that feel expensive, confident and iconic. Whether you’re navigating office politics at the work do, causing chaos with the girls, or trying to look cute while unwrapping presents at 9am, there’s a look here with your name on it.
Let's get you dressed.
THE WORK DO
If there was ever a moment to look like you’ve absolutely got your look together, it’s the work Christmas party. Enter: the Fendi dress, which basically says I’m chic, I reply to emails promptly, and yes, I’ll have a glass of prosecco. The clean silhouette does all the heavy lifting, so all you need are the right accessories to make it party-appropriate without giving HR a panic attack.
For footwear, go for slingbacks, because comfort matters when you know you’ll end up doing laps around the room avoiding certain colleagues.
A little chain-strap clutch? Essential. It keeps your hands free for drinks and canapés. And a delicate gold pendant is the perfect finishing touch; a hint of sparkle that makes the whole outfit look thought-through, not like you got dressed at your desk. It’s the kind of work party outfit that earns you compliments from people who’ve never spoken to you before.
THE GIRLS' NIGHT OUT
Girls’ night calls for drama (the fun kind) and Vivienne Westwood is basically the patron saint of that energy. Start with a corset dress: it snatches, it sculpts, it screams main character. Add a classic beret for that playful, slightly chaotic edge that says you know your fashion history but you’re also here to dance.
A structured little shoulder bag instantly brings that signature punk glam; the shiny hardware catches every club light in the best way. Pair it with a dainty, glinting pendant that sits right at the collarbone. It’s subtle, but trust me, it will get noticed the second you lean in to order drinks.
It’s the kind of look that starts with “we’re being sensible tonight” and ends with you and the girls screaming 2010s classics in the back of an Uber. Perfect.
CHRISTMAS DAY WITH THE FAMILY
Christmas Day dressing needs to hit a very specific brief: comfortable enough for lounging and over-eating, but cute enough for family photos. Miu Miu has you covered. Start with the striped cotton shirt layered under a soft sweater. It’s giving “I woke up like this,” but in an Italian fashion house kind of way.
Swap in a pair of relaxed, tailored trousers to keep the outfit looking put-together without feeling too “I’m hosting Christmas.” They give you that effortlessly polished silhouette, quietly reminding everyone you’re the stylish one in the family (as if they didn’t already know).
Finish with some soft suede flats to keep things cosy and practical; ideal for doing the Christmas-day circuit between the kitchen, the living room and wherever the snacks keep mysteriously disappearing to. The overall vibe? Festive without any OTT sparkle, chic without trying, and perfect for those inevitable family photos.
THE NEW YEAR'S EVE LOOK
NYE is the Olympics of getting dressed, and this Acne Studios look absolutely delivers. A clean, sculptural mini dress is perfect, minimal and a bit mysterious. Pair it with a tiny micro-bag (because who needs practicality on New Year’s Eve) and suddenly you’re channeling full Scandinavian It-Girl energy.
For shoes, go for a pair with that subtle-but-serious sparkle, the kind that doesn’t shout for attention, but definitely whispers. And add a delicate, Vivienne Westwood bracelet for that final touch of symbolism; it gives the whole look a little cosmic magic.
This is the look that photographs perfectly, holds up through all the prosecco toasts, and makes you feel like the most enigmatic person at the party.
THE DINNER INVITE
A dinner invite can feel like a trap, too dressy and you look like you misread the vibe, too casual and you look like you didn’t try. Luckily, Bottega Veneta speaks the smart-casual dress code fluently. Start with wool trousers and cardigan: soft neutrals, luxe textures, subtle sophistication. Layer a cropped leather jacket over to add shape, warmth, and that subtle street-luxe edge.
Add some cat-eye sunglasses because even if it’s dark outside, they complete the aesthetic (and hide tired eyes). The Andiamo bag is your anchor piece, guaranteed to get a “where’s that from?” within five minutes of arrival. Finish with suede shoes for that tonal, put-together feel.
Perfect for anything from “casual Christmas drinks” to “just a few people”, which inevitably means a full house and a playlist no one agreed on.
