If you haven’t yet decided what to wear for this year’s Christmas party, perhaps this blog will give you some ideas! Dressing for a Christmas party is usually a once-a-year thing, (although you may have a few parties to attend and therefore want to wear different outfits). Are they daytime parties or evening, or both?
What’s “in” this 2024 Christmas party season?
Dress length
From the research I’ve been doing recently, it appears as if all lengths of dress or skirts are “in”. If you like short, they’re a few centimetres above the knee, plus we still have midi-lengths and of course ankle/floor length are equally what you may choose to wear this season. Think practicality as well as the visual, if, for example you need to climb over a bench to sit down!
Materials
There seems to be more sparkle this year (unless I’m imagining it). Luxe fabrics are in order for this 2024 Christmas Party Season. Fabrics to look out for are velvet, satin, lace, metallic, leather, suede (or imitation equivalents), fur, feathers and tassels (think Flapper dress). Good quality wool is on offer too.
Most of us still seem to be in buying mode (see “sustainability” below), but as people are expecting more for their hard-earned cash these days, we do not necessarily want to pay a high price for something (unless we can see future uses for it). Other materials are synthetic, which gives ease, so they are more comfortable to wear, often are easy to wash and don’t need ironing. If you have gone for sparkles or feathers, have you checked the label to see how to launder it if you want to wear it again?
What about colour?
You may think there’s only black, navy or the current “in” colour of burgundy around, which is normally the case at this time of year. But, I have found lots of alternatives. There are lots of neutrals, like cream or brown, plus also different shades of red, green and blue. Lots of choice, depending on what you want. Whether you know your best shades of colours or not, you can see what I discovered from viewing 8 major brands (Debenhams, Hobbs, M&Co, M&S, Mint Velvet, Phase Eight, Seasalt Cornwall and Sosandar) by ordering your copy here.
Patterns
If you are an animal print fan, you’re in luck! In fact, it has been “in” for several seasons, but this 2024 Autumn/Winter Season has taken it more to the core. You can’t seem to overdose on it, if that’s your thing.
Other patterns are Fairisle, Houndstooth, Paisley, flowers and Tartan.
Dress, separates, jumpsuit
New things regularly come into the shops (or online) throughout September, October, November and December, so you can keep visiting your favourite shops or brands online to see what’s new if you haven’t found the right outfit yet. When I’m shopping for a client I will typically view at least six brands/shops. You may know which brands you prefer. When you know the information about your body shape, quality, price point, and longevity that you desire from your clothes and accessories, you will be better placed to find the brands that meet your needs. I have clients who need to be aware of the materials for allergy or comfort reasons, and others who prioritise sustainability over other considerations. Certain brands have led the way on sustainability and others are catching up. You can usually find out that information on a Brand’s website if you are interested in that. Some Certified B Corporation brands are Aspiga.com, Baukjen and Seasalt Cornwall.
You may have something in mind, but I would encourage you to be open-minded. I recently shopped for a client who did not have a jumpsuit in her wardrobe. She was very pleasantly surprised with one that was presented (and it looked great). You do need to bear in mind getting in and out of them, though, when visiting the bathroom: speed, and whether you can do this yourself or will need a companion!
Christmas Jumpers
It depends what you are after – something festive or something to win a Christmas Jumper competition! Here’s a nice one in M&S.
Size
When you decide to buy, you may find that your chosen item isn’t available in your size! Don’t despair. If you’re on the brand’s own website, don’t forget to try others. For example, Marks & Spencer now has so many other brands apart from its own (Per Una and Autograph). You can find Accessorize, Baukjen, Fat Face, Ghost, Joules, Live Unlimited London, Ted Baker, Monsoon, Nobody’s Child, Phase Eight, Seasalt, Sosandar, Jaegar, White Stuff, and lots of others. You could also try M&Co and Debenhams if you want to see your chosen item somewhere else.
Sustainability
But what about sustainability? What might you already have in your wardrobe that you had forgotten about? Have you trawled pre-loved shops this 2024 party season? What about considering hiring your outfit this year? Here are some sites if you want to do that. Do you make your own clothes? If you are clever enough to be able to sew (or know someone who does), this can be the way to get something exactly as you want it: material, colour, style, patterns and adornments, and that will fit. At least you won’t find another person at your party wearing exactly the same as you.
Do you think you might be able to get some future wear out of your outfit if you buy or have it made? Excellent if you can.
Accessories
There are lots of sparkly earrings, handbags and shoes around, so if your outfit is a little plain, you can add the sparkle with your accessories. And, of course, changing your accessories can change the look of the outfit, so you may have more flexibility if you go for the sparkle in the accessories.
Finally, a note about returns
Whatever you decide to do this 2024 Christmas party dressing season, do read the small print about returns, so you know what the deadlines will be, the method and if there is any unexpected cost.
