Sequins and Sparkles

This sequinned black wrap dress is the quintessential Christmas outfit.

While I have twinned the dress with plain sandals, you could give it a more edgy look by pairing it with black ankle boots and a leather jacket. 

Make sure that you treat this dress with a great deal of care otherwise it won’t last. For instance, if you are wearing a bracelet, be very careful that it doesn’t snag on the sequins as it may pull on their threading and loosen them. Its also important to remember that you should never tumble dry this type of dress as the heat may cause the sequins to melt.

- Sequinned wrap dress – Warehouse - €117

- Pink pleat detail clutch bag  – Barratts – €14

- Black sandals – Barratts – €35

 

Red is the Colour

This outfit is ideal for a Christmas party particularly considering that there’s no colour more synonymous with the Yuletide season than red.

To keep the cold winter breeze away, I would suggest that you wear it with this strikingly elegant Vicki Bow blazer. This coat is so dressy but yet doesn’t distract from the dress. The copper undertones in the accompanying clutch bag also compliment those in the dress thus making it the perfect accessory for this look. 

- One shoulder beaded waist dress – Warehouse – €65

- Vicki bow blazer – Awear – €55

- Butterfly clutch – Accessorize – €49

- Gold kitten strappy sandals – Barratts – €15

 

Grecian

This chiffon number is equally as suitable for a Christmas wedding as it is for a Christmas party. If you don’t like the brooch on this dress, then simply replace it with one that is more to your taste. This pearl cluster brooch for instance is a very elegant substitute.

- Dark pink one shoulder Grecian dress – River Island – €35

- Pearl cluster brooch – Accessorize – €12

- Hard case heart brooch clutch bag – Accessorize – €49

 

Bronzed Goddess

This dress (which, as you can see, comes in black/bronze as well as white) is very similar to that worn by Hollywood actress Mila Kunis at an awards ceremony recently. The material is quite fitted in the lower section and so would be very suitable for someone who is top heavy but has slim legs. If however you have the opposite problem in that you are conscious of the weight on your upper legs and thighs, then it would probably be best to avoid this style of dress as it tends to highlight such problem areas.

- Bronze/White sequin banded hem dress – River Island – €40

- Black clutch – Awear – €20

- Black peep toe platform shoes – River Island – €85

- Platform glitter court shoes – Barratts – €30

- Pink gem clutch – Barratts – €30

 

Sequins, Pleats and Faux Fur

A dress like this may not seem like the most winter-appropriate, however that will be the least of your worries when you pair it with this beautiful long grey coat! The intricate beading and sequins on this gorgeous little number are what really make it a classic however as with all heavily embellished materials, you need to ensure that you follow the washing instructions exactly as stipulated otherwise it won’t be hanging in your wardrobe for too long.

- Pearlised sequin one shoulder dress – Warehouse – €117

- Pleat detail clutch bag – Barratts – €14

- Silver pearly stretch heart bracelet – Accessorized – €13.50

- Grey faux fur collar coat – River Island – €95

 

Festive Feathers

The feather neckline on this dress is definitely the statement piece of the look so ensure that you don’t distract from it by over-accessorising. To really complete the look, I have paired it with a subtle lace clutch bag and silver strappy sandals, both of which give the dress an additional edge. 

- Green cut-out detail feather neck dress – River Island – €65

- Lace overlay square case clutch bag – Accessorized – €59

- Silver jewel strappy sandals – Barratts – €45

 

Metallic’s

The Christmas party dress code does not necessarily have to mean ‘mini-dress’. In fact this sequinned blazer is a great way of introducing the festive sparkle into your look. Just make sure that you keep the rest of your outfit as subtle as possible. In fact the best items to wear with this are black skinny jeans, a black tank top and high heels.

- Metallic jacket – Warehouse – €72

- Black skinny jeans – Warehouse – €34

- Black tank top -  Warehouse – €14

- Glitter clutch – Barratts – €15

- Black jewel bow trim sandals – Barratts – €38

Glitter Azure

Christmas is one of the best times to play around with colours. For instance, I have paired this azure blue dress with pink glitter heels thus creating the perfect party duo. Of course, it goes without saying that there’s absolutely no financial sense in buying these shoes if you know you won’t wear them with any other outfit. If you fall into this category then I would suggest that you instead pair this dress with the silver heels featured. These will go with any outfit and will definitely give you your moneys worth.   

- Jasmine one-shoulder satin dress – Awear – €35

- Ballroom diamante clutch – Accessorize – €40

- Silver Gardenia satin sling back court shoes – Barratts – €36

- Platform glitter court shoes – Barratts – €30

Statement Shoes

This purple chiffon dress is actually on sale for €35 at the moment, so if it takes your fancy, then I would advise that you make an immediate beeline for Awear in Galway’s Edward Square, before it sells out. This dress is interesting enough on its own not to warrant any elaborate costume jewellery however it is also plain enough to allow you to pair it with statement shoes. The grey spike heels for example are particularly eye-catching and not too dissimilar to those featured in the Christian Louboutin collection. 

- Purple chiffon sleeve dress – Awear – €35

- Glitter platform shoes – Barratts – €30

- Grey studded court shoes – River Island – €55

- Cream pleat detail clutch – Barratts – €20

- Black lace platform shoe with pink underlay – Barratts – €35

 

Two-in-one!

This pretty little number is a fantastic item to have in your wardrobe as it will take you to any event. In fact if you have a wedding to attend anytime soon, then I would strongly suggest that you go for the blue dress, cream corsage sandals and diamante clutch as this will double up as both a Christmas party dress and a wedding guest outfit.

- Black/Blue cape dress – Awear – €25

- Lace trim clutch bag with crinkle bow detail – Accessorize – €25

- Black satin rouched sling backs – Barratts – €30

- Claudia crystal Oscar bag – Accessorize – €79

- Corsage shoes – Barratts – €32

 

Upstyle

There is so much elaborate detail on the back of this dress that in order to really show it off to its full potential, you should wear your hair in an up-style. 

- Cutwork beaded dress – Warehouse – €117

- Lotus strappy diamante sandals – Barratts – €40

- Large glitter clutch – Accessorize – €44

Lace Phase

This dress is very in-keeping with this year’s elegant trend of long lace sleeves. (The only downside however is that the trend is still extremely popular at the moment so you may not be the only one sporting this style at the party.) To really polish off this look, turn to your make-up bag and head straight for the dramatic smoky eye’s palette.

- Corded lace shift – Warehouse – €72

- Earrings – River Island – €12

- Bangles – River Island – €13

- Bracelet – River Island – €5

Glistening Gold

As you can see, this gold sequinned mini is very much a showstopper outfit. Considering the level of embellishment however, the wrong accessories will all too quickly ruin the look, so play it safe and steer clear of wearing jewellery (with perhaps the exception of a ring). 

- Gold sequin mini dress €70

- Gold pleated clutch – Awear – €18

- Kitten strappy sandals – Barratts – €15

 

Work-to-night number

This elegant number is exactly the kind that will take you from work to night. This dress would also work beautifully for an expectant mum in the latter stages of her first trimester. If you are at that awkward stage where your normal clothes are too small but maternity clothes are too big (and your big news is still your big secret), then just buy this dress in a bigger size. The midriff bow detail should avert any attention from your new weight.

- Contrast bow dress – Awear – €25

- Glitter ballerina pumps (black/gold) – Barratts – €15

- Dolcis bejewelled ankle cuff sandal – €18 (on sale)

- Platform glitter court shoes – Barratts – €30

Christmas Chic

There are so many ways in which you can transform this dress to suit the occasion. For a more edgy style, pair it with items such as ankle boots and a leather jacket. For an elegant formal look however, stick to understated sandals and a simple clutch.

- Jasmine Embellish Waist Dress – Awear – €35

- Large sequinned envelope clutch – Accessorize – €44.90

- Gold jewel strappy sandals – Barratts – €45

 

Up-cycle

If you would prefer to up-cycle an old dress rather than buy a new one, then look out for pieces such as these sequinned hem shrugs. This one simple addition can completely revive an otherwise stale look. 

- Sequinned hem shrug (Black/Cream) – Warehouse – €55

- Sophia glitterball square hard case clutch bag – Accessorize – €49

- Glitter round toe shoe – Barratts – €20