The busiest time of the year is fast approaching. With office parties, Christmas meals, family gatherings and nights out to attend, dressing for the festive season can be tricky.

Don’t get caught out with nothing to wear this December: invest in a few key pieces which you can easily style with your existing wardrobe. These five versatile staples should see you through the festive season in style.

1. A Statement Ankle Boot

A wear-with-everything boot is an essential during the party season, so pick one that will really make your outfits shine. Try a pair with a covered toe, to keep you warm in chilly December weather.

These eye-catching suede and leather ankle boots from Terry de Havilland will work with dresses or jeans, and the black and silver design makes a big statement without being tricky to style.

2.  Embellished Accessories

Up the sparkle-factor this Christmas with bejewelled accessories. An easy way to add a touch of festive glamour to any outfit, a bit of sparkle will instantly update last year’s clothes. Add a pair of earrings or a statement necklace to turn your office wear into a party-ready outfit — perfect if you’re headed out to a Christmas get-together after work and need a quick change. This pair of statement earrings from Butterfly will add a pop of bright festive green to any outfit.

3. A Modern Take on the Little Black Dress

The ever-reliable little black dress is a staple of festive dressing. For a modern twist on a classic, choose one in velvet: the plush fabric was a key trend this year, and looks set to stick around well into 2018.

This frilled velvet dress from New Look is a glamourous take on the classic tea-dress shape. Dress it up with heels and a clutch for the office Christmas party, or team with a cardigan, tights and boots for an outing to the pub.

4. A Red Lip

A statement red pout is a Christmas essential. Endlessly versatile, a bold red lip will go with almost any outfit, and will instantly make you look polished. Plus, it’s a great way to add a pop of colour to an all-black outfit without needing to change your accessories.

Paler complexions should go for a bright candy-cane red with blue undertones, whereas darker skin tones will look great with a deep berry or merlot lip. These highly pigmented lipsticks from NYX Cosmetics come in variety of festive red shades to suit every complexion.

5. A Christmas Jumper

Whether it’s for Christmas Jumper Day at the office or a family trip to the pub on Boxing Day, you’re going to need a festive cosy knit. If the thought of a gaudy jumper with reindeers, flashing lights and jingle bells fills you with horror, then opt for something a little more understated.

Try a vintage Fair Isle patterned jumper: it’s festive without being over the top, and you can continue wearing it long after the Christmas season has come and gone. Look for a bargain in charity shops and thrift stores. If you’re not a fan of hunting through rails of old clothes, browse an online vintage store instead — check out this selection of cosy festive knits at Beyond Retro.

 

Dressing for the festive season isn’t always easy, especially when there’s so much going on. But with a little planning and these five staple styles in your wardrobe, you’ll be looking glam all the way into 2018.

 

 

Via #FashionINspired