Office Christmas parties are often the highlight of the year, whether it’s a night out on the town with your team or a relaxed dinner at a restaurant, many of us look forward to finally letting our hair down and enjoying a night off with our co-workers.
However, with Christmas work gatherings becoming increasingly popular, bosses have been experimenting with quirkier venues and more lively activities. This leaves many of us wondering what to wear – after all, your trusty black midi dress and heels combination might not work quite so well at the bowling alley. To help you crack the code to festive style (no matter the venue) we’ve put together this helpful guide:
Castle or stately home
Those of you celebrating Christmas in a castle or stately home (lucky you!) will want to aim for a comfortable yet polished look. Here, you might be greeted with a medieval banquet, take part in some activities or enjoy a ball in your surroundings. Of course, it depends on what’s lined up for you at your party but it’s nice to look the part.
The safest option is to stick to an outfit which is both practical and stylish – especially if you have an evening of dancing ahead of you. Plisse trousers have been on-trend in recent years — they’re comfy and fashionable! This style is perfect for flexibility in movement and keeping your legs covered for the cooler temperatures. Pair with a three-quarter sleeve fitted top or a bardot style crop to complete your look. This style goes great with flat or heeled shoes, so wear what you feel comfortable in. The great thing about these pants too is that they’ve got an elasticated waist (ideal for tucking into a medieval buffet!).
Bar with a rooftop terrace
Rooftop parties are a firm favourite for many of us – and even though the weather is getting colder, you can still enjoy a little outdoor time. Due to the colder climate of the UK, we don’t get to spend much time outdoors during the autumn and winter so a party on a rooftop makes a nice change!
You can really ramp up the glamour here, so why not go all out in a sequin maxi dress? Or pair an accordion skirt with a sequin top. Keep your feet warm in suede heeled ankle boots or a dressy loafer.
You’ll still want to stay warm when you’re outside, so it’s wise to bring a jacket with you. This season it’s all about faux fur and we’re loving it! Keep it classic in a black or brown waist-length jacket or go big and bold with a coloured fur coat and chunky collar. If this isn’t your style, you can’t go wrong in a classic leather jacket — match with a cross-body clutch and your outfit is complete.
Traditional restaurant meal
Those of you sticking with tradition and enjoying a restaurant meal will be looking forward to an evening of food, drinks and merriment. But, how should you dress for an occasion like this? It can be uncomfortable to eat a roast dinner in a tight bodycon, but you don’t want to be dressed informally for when you hit the bars later on.
For occasions such as this, you can never go wrong with a shift dress. Shift dresses Show off your pins in a midi dress and channel your inner party animal with leopard or snake print (two patterns that are very on-trend this season). Pair with barely-there sandals and a matching bag and your good to go!
Of course, a nice pair of trousers paired with a stylish cami or shirt is always a winning combination. The covered legs will keep you warm when you’re moving from restaurant to bar and your fancy top will be admired over the dinner table. This season, it’s all about sequin embellishments and metallic camis — perfect for this years’ festivities.
The bowling alley
A trip to the bowling alley is the perfect chance to unleash your competitive side! Let’s face it, you’ll probably be heading out for a few drinks afterwards, so you need something that’s suitable for scoring a strike and for when you’re drinking cocktails later on.
Activity-packed evenings call for something that’s both comfortable and stylish. Think on-trend jumpsuits and trousers with a cute top. You’ve probably noticed that ‘80s fashion has been back with a bang this year, and it hasn’t stopped for AW18. It’s all about being bold with your colour palette and really owning it! It’s not often your colleagues get to see you outside of your workwear so show them your true colours in a bold jumpsuit. Choose one with a chunky belt to create that ‘80s inspired cinched waist and accessorise with statement hoops.
One of the biggest trends of the summer, culotte trousers, are universally flattering. But there are so many varieties now that they certainly shouldn’t be kept for just one season. Play it safe with high-waisted black trousers and jazz it up top with a glitter-infused bodysuit or cute crop — pair with a sparkly clutch and your good to go.