Natasha O’Brien: ‘I want the silent victims to get the same justice that I did’
Natasha O’Brien: ‘I want the silent victims to get the same justice that I did’

Sarah Gill

“Building is fun”: Architect Valerie Mulvin on her illustrious career
“Building is fun”: Architect Valerie Mulvin on her illustrious career

Gemma Tipton

A Boyzone documentary and Barry Keoghan’s new film – what to watch this week
A Boyzone documentary and Barry Keoghan’s new film – what to watch this week

Sarah Finnan

Supper Club: 3 tasty slow cooker recipes to warm your belly
Supper Club: 3 tasty slow cooker recipes to warm your belly

Sarah Finnan

The social media apps to replace Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and X in your life
The social media apps to replace Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and X in your life

Edaein OConnell

13 Irish books being published this February
13 Irish books being published this February

Sarah Gill

Sinéad O’Shea: ‘Edna O’Brien is one of the great lives of the 20th century’
Sinéad O’Shea: ‘Edna O’Brien is one of the great lives of the 20th century’

Meg Walker

An ode to my McWilliams Holdall
An ode to my McWilliams Holdall

Sarah Finnan

Business Club Member competition: Win a €400 voucher for fashion brand Kelly O’Rourke
Business Club Member competition: Win a €400 voucher for fashion brand Kelly O’Rourke

IMAGE

Brigid: The original female trailblazer
Brigid: The original female trailblazer

Amanda Cassidy

Image / Fashion

Party wear for women who don’t do sequins


By Marie Kelly
13th Dec 2018
Party wear for women who don’t do sequins

If you’ve been looking for party wear that doesn’t have a hint of metallic to it, you’re probably feeling pretty neglected by now. It’s two weeks to Christmas and you’ve yet to see a single article that doesn’t involve sequins, shimmer and shine. What’s a woman to do if she doesn’t fancy looking like a glitter ball for the next two weeks? Here are a few sartorial clues.

Try Velvet This gorgeously tactile fabric is the perfect option for someone who wants to add luxe to their look but in a more muted way. I’d wear this strappy velvet top over a soft grey T-shirt (check out Finery London for great quality, soft-touch T-shirts). It’s an understated but not underwhelming look.

Animal-print velvet top, €29.95 at Zara

Embrace brocade Brocade adds a regal vibe to an outfit, making whatever you put it with that little bit more special too. There’s plenty of brocade on the high street (River Island and Zara), but I’m showing you this Erdem skirt because it’s so beautiful and nobody does brocade better. If your budget stretches, I doubt you’ll ever regret this investment buy. I’d wear this piece with an oversized cashmere sweater – gorgeous. This is a perfect look for Christmas Day.

Metallic brocade skirt, Erdem, €936 (was €1,560) at net-a-porter.com

Experiment with sheer Begin with a dress such as this one from Topshop. There’s a modesty to it, but it doesn’t ruin the impact of the sheer fabric. I love the contrast between feminine florals and sexy sheer. It creates an elegant but directional effect.

Sheer ruched midi dress, €79 at & Other Stories