Dressing for winter parties doesn’t have to mean drowning yourself in sparkle and sequins. Take heed in particular if you are shopping on the high street, as this can result in leaving a trail of tell-tale glitter wherever you go. Carefully chosen accessories and expert styling tricks can uplift your look and make existing favourites shine. To get the most out of your wardrobe and your budget this year, read on.
Avoid replicas
Resist the cheap replica of a well-known, specific designer item such as an Hermès Birkin bag or that strapless Dior beribboned blue dress from Jonathan Anderson’s first Dior womenswear collection. By law, the copy will be slightly different, and will mark you out as someone who falls for “fakes”. Something that tunes into the item’s “vibe”, on the other hand, shows you to be discerning. Perhaps it’s a spectrum of colours, or a texture, or the fit. This Cos trouser suit that I’m wearing takes the cut and spirit of a Dior trouser suit (Cior?) and runs it in a subtle sheeny material. Phase Eight, not known for its cool factor, has tapped into Saint Laurent’s Hedi Slimane era (a fount of many modern classics) with this Sixties-esque, pussy bow mini shift.
Velvet mini dress, £110, Phase Eight
Embrace high-street footwear
Satin and patent high-street shoes can be as effective as designer, especially at night, at parties. Sometimes they’re the superior option in terms of budget allocation. As much as I love a Prada kitten heel, they’re delicate. Those pointed toes and sculpted heels are easily scuffed and that’s not conducive to your festive mood when you’ve spent £900 on them. If you’re going high street, look for refined, sculpted pin-thin heels – or, like these I’m wearing from Mango, a chic, low block – and padded soles. The former are a deluxe design detail. The latter are comfy.
Embrace (some) synthetics
Not all synthetics are equally bad. Polyesters may take forever to biodegrade, but a good quality one can drape better than cheap silk and should never end up in landfill. I have a five-year-old acetate, bias-cut, “satin” Kelmore skirt from The Fold, which looks pristine after many wears and (30C) machine washes. They’ve reissued it in different colours over the years. This season’s is burgundy. Acetate is partially composed of plant-based cellulose, so not only less polluting than petroleum-based polyester, but it hangs beautifully and holds it lustre. Moral: check the label and know your chemicals. If you’re wondering how badly it will crease, scrunch a corner in your hand for an instant reading.
Add sophistication with rich textures
Pimp your bargain buys by mixing in rich textures (double-faced jackets and coats and brushed wools tend to read as luxurious, and Cos is a particularly good source). Style metallics with tweeds, knits with velvets and so on – they’ll look more sophisticated and luxurious. Mix in a high-quality, small designer accessory – a scarf, ring, hairband, to achieve a high-end look for the least outlay.
Avoid gemstone jewellery
Vintage, high-quality costume jewellery is invariably classier looking than cheap, breakable chain-store impulse buys. Susan Caplan is such a good source, the Princess of Wales shops there. That said, & Other Stories and Jigsaw do great jewellery. Stick to sculptured metals rather than anything with gemstones, which have a habit of dropping off. If you can pull out some real pearls or SJ Phillips antique diamonds to wear with your H&M T-shirt, so much the better.
1980s vintage Nina Ricci flower clip-on earrings, £155, Susan Caplan
Take inspiration from catwalks
In a similar vein, where possible, try to mix it up, whatever you’re wearing. Head-to-toe anything falls flat – whether it’s all second-hand, chain store or designer. Analyse your favourite catwalk shows to work out what it is you like. Could be that pea-soup green that’s so synonymous with Prada (you’ll find it in this full skirt, £99 from Ro&Zo), or the masculine tailoring and textured slim midi skirts at Bottega Veneta. Armed with the relevant insights, you’ll know precisely what to look for in the high street.
Stick to earthy textures
Be clever with fabrics. Rather than gaudy looking sequins and unconvincing “silks”, shop for earthier materials, even when it’s party time, like this rust-coloured skirt from Cos. It works for day with chunky boots and a knit, and for evening with a square-toed, Bottega Veneta-inspired kitten heel (£149, Massimo Dutti) and bare legs or a cosy, fluffy Mary Jane from Arket, £65. The unsparkly option can look chic when everyone else is in tinsel. It’s also on trend. You can zhuzh it up with jewellery and texture. Or keep it on the down-low. Very The Row, or Toteme.
Lisa Wears
Wool blend waisted blazer, £189 and slim-leg trousers, £119, Cos; Kitten heels, £45.99, Mango; Pearl and recycled gold vermeil earrings, £210, Completedworks; Velvet headband, from a selection, Etsy
Affordable party chic
Photography: Sarah Brick; hair and makeup: Amanda Clarke at Joy Goodman using Jones Road and Schwarzkopf; styling: Sophie Tobin; stylist assistant: Hansveni Dave