Social photos from our Beyond the Awards: Stories of Success and Impact event
Social photos from our Beyond the Awards: Stories of Success and Impact event

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Here are the interiors trends we’ll all be searching this summer (and how to shop them)
Here are the interiors trends we’ll all be searching this summer (and how to shop...

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‘Virtually everyone experiences imposter syndrome, from interns to C-suite executives’
‘Virtually everyone experiences imposter syndrome, from interns to C-suite executives’

Megan Burns

The best events happening around Ireland this weekend
The best events happening around Ireland this weekend

Sarah Gill

In Her Shoes: Silvana Landa McAdam of LANDA
In Her Shoes: Silvana Landa McAdam of LANDA

IMAGE

Conductor Orla Flanagan: ‘This concert explores human existence in different spheres’
Conductor Orla Flanagan: ‘This concert explores human existence in different spheres’

Sarah Gill

This 1970s Galway semi-d has been refreshed and revived
This 1970s Galway semi-d has been refreshed and revived

Nathalie Marquez Courtney

Material Intelligence: Meet the emerging designers from Ireland’s leading fashion colleges
Material Intelligence: Meet the emerging designers from Ireland’s leading fashion colleges

Ruth O'Connor

Faye O’Rourke of Soda Blonde: ‘I think being open about your failings creates more interesting art’
Faye O’Rourke of Soda Blonde: ‘I think being open about your failings creates more interesting...

Sarah Gill

A red carpet first-timer brings us behind the scenes at Cannes Film Festival
A red carpet first-timer brings us behind the scenes at Cannes Film Festival

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Image / Fashion

The Guide To Real Party Dressing


By IMAGE
05th Dec 2013

There’s a grave misconception surrounding the fundamentals of Christmas party dressing. Despite many of us having to change en masse in the office toilets before heading out to any organized entertainment, we insist, nay demand, that the seasonal sartorial terrain be clad with scratchy sequins, abbreviated hemlines and heels that require a blood alcohol limit test.

Why? We all know how it ends: shoes in one hand; dignity in the other. Assuming you haven’t snogged Craig from accounts, the blisters of bad choices will still ring in your ears like Cliff Richard on repeat. Fancy an alternative? Of course you do.

Let’s talk practicality. Rather than viewing the lesser known yuletide virtue as a kill joy, consider the possibilities. Pair a bang-on-trend tux jacket with a velvet body con dress, opaque tights and natty brogues. Slick back that hair and bam – `80s revival with a side of happy feet. We like.

Tight on time? A daywear jumpsuit, oversized clutch and New Balance trainers say cool and credible. Save the sparkle for your maquillage and embellish those tresses with Umberto Giannini Glam Hair Glamour Puss Crystal Mist for a touch of iridescence.

Desperate to wear that Funky Christmas Jumper? Pair yours with a full circle taffeta skirt, crystal collar and block heels for a look that’s retro; not ironic. Sorry hipsters…

Before you blast me for being a style Scrooge, ask yourself why they call it the Silly Season? I’m not suggesting you sit in the corner like a pathetic Poinsettia (that’s Christmas for wallflower). Perish the thought. I just think decking the halls is best left to interiors; not festive fashion. Boughs of holly don’t really cut it on a dance floor…

Tux jacket, H&M, €39.95 in stores now  // Velvet dress, H&M, €29.95 in stores now // Derby brogues, Whistles, €155 // Karl Lagerfeld studded-collar jersey and poplin jumpsuit, Net-a-Porter.com, €220 // Check jumpsuit, Asos.com, €75.34 // New Balance 420 black/grey trainers, Asos.com, €75.34 // Oversized clutch, & Other Stories, £135; €163.04 approx //

Annmarie O’Connor @aocdotme