By Bethanie Lunn, Style Ambassador for Churchill Square Shopping Centre
The festive season a.k.a. party season is THE time of year when guys and girls alike can get dressed up to the nines. But what do you wear and how do you wear it? Churchill Square’s Style Ambassador & Personal Shopper, Bethanie Lunn tells us…
Women’s Partywear
There is so much choice this season when it comes to dazzling partywear, that you can’t fail to find something you love. From bodycon to hippy chic maxi dresses and stunning sequin-embellished floor length numbers. If party dresses aren’t your thing, jumpsuits or skinny jeans with sequined camis and a tux jacket give you a more androgynous look. Follow my tips for more know-how.
Start Right
As with any beautiful painting, the canvas must first be smooth so start with the right underwear. If you’re wearing a figure-hugging dress, opt for an all-in-one body or waist clincher to cinch you in and give you a smooth silhouette. I wear mine under most things when I’m out to impress! For strappy tops and dresses, visit Boux Avenue for a bra converter. This clever accessory turns any bra into a multi-functional one, pinning the straps where you need them.
The Outfit
If you think bodycon dresses are only for the svelte, think again – they often include magic support and hold you in, in all the right places. Choose an off the shoulder midi for the most current fit.
For 70s style inspiration, opt for a figure-flattering jumpsuit. Take your look up a notch in a wide leg fit with lace detailing. If you’re going straight from office to party, simply wear the jumpsuit beneath a tailored shirt, knotted at the waist with boyish brogues then lose the shirt and swap your shoes for skyscraper heels and you’re good to go.
A winter coat is a must both practically and in the style stakes. Choose faux fur in pastel shades for a playful and dramatic appeal or for a more formal edge, opt for a peplum jacket that gives the ultimate feminine yet tailored silhouette.
Accessories & Footwear
High heels complete a party look but can be challenging to last the night in. This winters block heels and chunky soles are street style staples and they’re more comfortable to walk in! Glittery ankle socks worn with sandals is a quirky combination to try or team with opaque tights if you’re less fashion daring. I also carry a pair of foldable flats in my bag to change into when my feet have had enough.
Choose heels with a holographic, glitter or metallic finish with a matching clutch bag for a cool co-ord look or let the shoes do the talking with velvet, suede, tassel and even pom pom detail.
Finally, the right finishing touches pull together your outfit. For jewellery, mix styles such as studded cuffs with pretty diamanté bands and choose from stacked bracelets, punky ear cuffs and pendant necklaces, layered up to give a sense of pretty-with-attitude. For a ladylike vintage appeal, faux fur tippets adorned with brooches and chandelier earrings are the order of the day.
When you think of the perfect party wear you automatically think about jewellery. Berganza have a wonderful selection of beautiful jewellery as well and well worth a look.
Men’s Partywear
Men can have more fun with fashion than ever this season as colour and prints get bolder and new textures are introduced.
For accessories, wear a hat for look-at-me appeal or add a formal edge with this seasons skinny silk scarves, worn open over a formal blazer. Alternatively, knitted or leather ties and bow ties add a playful sense of style and look great with a shirt and jeans.
The Oxford shirt is a formal cut that will take you from office to party, especially in a geo print or bold stripes, while checks and short sleeved worn with brightly coloured chinos are more casual. Simply slip on a heavy-duty wool pea coat or tuxedo jacket for a more classic polished appeal.
All that’s left to do now is enjoy!
Bethanie x
Shop the Look – Him
Geo Print Shirt, Bershka, £24.99
Tuxedo Jacket, Topman, £110.00
Leather Look Bow Tie, Bershka, £9.99
Double Breasted Coat, Zara, £99.99
Shop the Look – Her
Nude Seamfree Waist Cincher Shaping Brief, BHS, £10.00
Glitter Clutch, Miss Selfridge, £29.00
Velvet Dress, Zara, £39.99
Lace Jumpsuit, Pull & Bear, £39.99
Pastel Faux Fur Coat, Dorothy Perkins, £49.00
Coral Platforms, Pull & Bear, £35.99
Black Velvet Heels, Pull & Bear, £29.99
Ear Cuffs, Zara, £9.99
Colour Block Faux Fur Stole, Pull & Bear, £19.99
Pastel Faux Fur Tippet, Accessorize, £25.00