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Fashion Tips for a Work Christmas Party

October 19, 2020 by Anne Sweet Leave a Comment

Deciding what to wear for a work party can sometimes be tricky, especially when it comes to the big one held for the holiday season. While you want to look great for the occasion, it’s also important to maintain a professional look to a certain degree. Work Christmas parties often call for you to still look professional – especially if it’s held in the office – but you don’t want to turn up wearing your regular work clothes either. Thankfully, you can still look amazing for the party in an outfit that’s suitable to wear for work during the day as well. Here are some tips to keep in mind.

photo shows a decorated Christmas tree with blurred people enjoying a party in the background.

Layer Up

If your office Christmas party is straight after the end of a normal day at the office, you’re better off wearing something that can easily take you from day to night. Use layers to your advantage so that you can add or remove them to change how you look between the working day and the party. For example, you can change the way that a plain shirt looks by adding a colorful blazer or a scarf.

Be Colorful

Most of the time, office Christmas parties are held at the end of a regular working day – so you won’t be able to just wear your normal party dress because the outfit you choose needs to be suitable for work too. Unless you work in an office with a casual dress code, the best way to get around this is by wearing a little more color than you normally would. Simple things like wearing a colorful skirt instead of a plain dress or a brighter bag instead of your usual plain one can be a great way to make sure that you’re both professional and party-ready.

Accessorize

Accessories can take your plain work outfit from professional to party-ready, so put some more effort than usual into items like jewellery and shoes. A pair of designer shoes can certainly give your outfit more interest and they can be suitable for both the office and partying later. The new Valentino shoes at SSENSE include some great options like rockstud slingback heels that can easily take you from day to night.

Change Later

If you want to get more dressed up for the office Christmas party but don’t want to wear your party outfit for work all day, another popular option is to simply bring a new outfit or new fashion pieces to change into later. For example, you might want to keep your smart work pants on but change out of a plain blouse into a sequinned off-the-shoulder top. You can always leave your extra clothes at your desk to pick up at the end of the party or when you are next back in work after the holidays.

Dressing for a work party can be tricky as you want to look good, but you need to choose an outfit that will be suitable for the work day before the celebrations.

And if it’s cold don’t forget to Grab Your Coat! Also, fingers crossed that parties will be allowed by Christmas.

photo of party food and drink, a decorated bottle, a tiered plate of cakes and nibbles and two glasses of wine, one white one red.

This is a collaborative post

Grab Your Coat! It’s getting cold – An Autumn Fashion Post

October 5, 2019 by Anne Sweet 3 Comments

Autumn is on us and despite the odd peak of sun from behind the clouds, it’s no longer close enough for warmth. People everywhere and grabbing their coats before they leave the house. But what should be we wearing this Autumn and Winter. Ah yes, this is an Autumn fashion post!

My Man likes to look smart, and whenever he goes out it’s more likely he’ll wear something from Suits Men.

I have to admit, I do like to wear a nice dress myself. I guess we scrub up well.

But what do women wear in Autum and Winter? Here’s a few of my picks.

The Dress

I’m a big fan of Joe Browns but in the past I’ve been dissapointed in the length of their dresses. I’m pretty tall and generally have to wear their dresses like a tunic with trousers or leggings. But I found this lovely Joe Browns dress on the JD Williams site and its nice and long.

midi length green floral patterned dress from Joe Brown, perfect for Autumn fashion — Joe Browns midi dress £49

The Coat

I used to wear a coat for driving and a coat for walking. Now, I tend to wear something that will keep me warm and dry in my wheelchair. I adore this lovely oversized coat in fuschia. But I’m not sure I’m brave enough to wear something so bright. Usually, I’m more comfortable in neutral colours like black or navy. Although I do have a nice camel coloured coat.

A model wearing a really bright fuschia oversized coat — Helene Berman Coat in Fuschia £169

Wrapping Up!

The best way to deal with this weather is to wrap up with layers. Then you can keep warm but remove a layer if you get too hot. So how do you layer your clothes, here’s some quick tips for your Autumn fashion wardrobe

Nice warm tights
A blouse or shirt
A quality woolen jumper
A blazer or coat on top
add extra warmth with scarf and gloves
Make sure you have waterproof shoes

As I mentioned before, my husband likes suits, but they don’t have to be just for men. Women look good in suits and they are a great way of layering up and keeping warm.

Here’s a fabulous black jacket from Next that would go with any smart trousers (or even jeans if you can wear them to work!)

A smart, single buttoned black ladies jacket — Black Jacket £45

Skirts or Trousers?

People make a grab for trousers this weather simply because they are warmer. But get the right tights and a skirt is just as warm. I’m a huge fan of The Sock Shop and recently bought my daughter some bamboo tights for shcool which she loves. But they do them in ladies sizes too. Warm legs are no problem in these and you can stick to your Autumn fashion look.

Two pairs of tights modelled on upside down legs, both pairs of tights are black — Ladies bamboo tights, 2 pack £20.99

You can also add a pop of colour, these tights come in 6 different colours and are currently just £4.99.

one pair of red tights modelled on upside down legs — Ladies colour tights

So you are not restricted to trousers, so how about a skirt? This pleated skirt from Next costs just £19 and comes in a wide range of colours, or plain black if that’s your thing.

A pleated grean floral patterened skirt on a model shown from the waist down with silver shoes — Pleated Skirt £19, other colours and patterns available

I used to be a jean person, but now I find that denim makes my legs tingle even more, so my trousers have to be picked carefully. I like to put comfort first, but these tapered trousers look smart and feel comfortable, so they are a winner for me.

black tapered trousers modelled from the waist down wtih red shoes — Tapered Trousers £15

Wardrobe

We have just bought a new wardrobe (As in the actual wooden type, not the huge pile of clothes) and now is the perfect time to sort through and get rid of all the clothes I won’t be wearing for a long time (or never, in which case, they will go into the charity bag.) Then I can focus on updating my clothes with the new season Autumn fashion.

Have you bought any new clothes lately? Do you have to dress formally for work? And my biggest question..would you wear a bright fuschia coat?

Previous Fashion Posts

Disclosure: Thanks for reading, please be aware I’ve included some affiliate links in this post and links to other sites that I cannot be held responsible for.

Summer 2018 Women´s Fashion Trends

June 21, 2018 by Anne Sweet 1 Comment

The other day I was browsing online for new clothes and came across Simply Be. This women´s clothing company started life as a plus-size fashion brand. But, from the looks of things they have diversified and now sell clothing for women sized between 8 and 34.

They stock thousands of different garments, so it is a really good place to pick up on the latest trends. As you will see, there is a lot going on in the fashion world right now.

2018 dress and trends

Without a doubt, dresses are back on trend. The range of cuts that is available is amazing. You can pick up anything from full-length maxi dresses to mid-thigh length skater and denim dresses.

There is definitely a more feminine vibe going on. A lot of designers have opted to make their dresses out of soft, floaty and highly-patterned fabrics. However, if you prefer something with a more tailored and formal feel you can still find that too. There are plenty of shift and sheath dresses available. Most of them could just as easily be worn to the office as for an evening meal in a classy restaurant.

Personally, I love a long, colourful floaty dress like this one.

2018 skirt trends

For a while now, it has been far easier to find jeans and trousers than it has been to pick up a skirt. Well, in 2018, that has all changed. The skirt is back and again there is plenty of choice.

It is particularly nice to see classic pencil skirts making a bit of a comeback. They are a surprisingly flattering and versatile skirt that suits most women. However, you do need to buy the right cut for your body type. You can easily find out how to do that by clicking here.

model wearing a white long sleeved top and a black midi pencil skirt

I always wore pencil skirts to work, I like them just below the knee.

A better choice of tops

The fact that more women are likely to be wearing skirts, this year, means that there is a good range of tops available. Generally speaking, it is the bigger and baggier styles that are dominating.

model wearing a plum coloured v neck top with a ring detail at the side

This lovely floaty top would look fabulous with a skirt.

I have this top and it looks great with leggings or skinny jeans

Jeans and trousers

Over the past couple of years, jean cuts have become a little looser. This is a trend that is continuing. It is also good to see the return of the high-waist cuts, which are far more comfortable to wear if you are carrying a little extra weight.

Bootcut jeans have always been a favourite of mine

2018 summer footwear trends

There are some really lovely sandals and shoes on offer, right now. As usual, the classics dominate. However, they have been joined by a big range of more comfortable flat shoes. Totally, flat sandals are very much in vogue, this year, which is great news if you find that high heels make your feet ache.

Even flat cosy sandals can bring a little glamour

Tips for changing your style

As you can see, right now, there is an amazing choice of different styles available in the shops. So, it is a particularly good time to take the plunge and change your look.

I did it last year, and am so pleased I did. Giving myself a bit of a style makeover worked wonders for me. If you fancy doing something similar I suggest you read the post I wrote about my experience. I am sure you will be able to pick up some tips and tricks to help you to do the same. You can read it here.

Disclosure: collaborative post.

The Great Gatsby and Breakfast at Tiffany’s Inspired Fashion

May 3, 2013 by Anne Sweet Leave a Comment

I went out with Eldest Daughter today and she bought a new pair of shoes. I love them too and as we are the same size, I may just borrow them (if she’ll let me)

This reminded me that I had not done a post for Next for a while so here I am.

The Great Gatsby opens in London this week and who can resist the gorgeous fashion of the Twenties? (oh my, not long until it will be the 2020’s!) Dropped waistbands and flapper dresses, I’d certainly give them another go. Any excuse to get out my feather boa. (what you don’t have a feather boa?)

At next you can buy this gorgeous dress for your little girl.

I know my girls would love it especially with all the sequins, I may get them one each. They are available in sizes 3 to 16 yrs.

Fast forward twenty or so years and you’ll you meet my favourite fashionable literary Character, Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Audrey Hepburn looks absolutely gorgeous in this black dress.

Truman Capote writes: “She was still on the stairs, now

she reached the landing, and the ragbag colors of her

boy’s hair, tawny streaks, strands of albino blond and

yellow caught the hall light. It was a warm evening,

nearly summer, and she wore a slim, cool black dress,

black sandals, a pearl choker. “

Of course, I’m partial to a sexy black dress and Next doesn’t fail to deliver.

Oh yes, I could see myself swanning into the MAD Blog Awards in this with pearl choker and black sandals. (might need to lose a few pound first though)

This post has been submitted to the Next Bloggers Network. I have not received anything from Next for writing it and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Kids Fashion – Sky Tops

September 10, 2012 by Anne Sweet 3 Comments

Now my kids are not fashion icons but they do know what they like and what they don’t. Throughout the summer the girls have been wanting to wear dresses, anything floaty and princess like. Not always the best choice, especially for a day at the park but I have been able to get away with floaty tops and leggings which are more practical. I’ve had a real job getting them to wear their jeans, but they are quite happy to put them on if they are brightly coloured or patterned. My eldest daughter likes her jeans skinny like her grown-up sister wears, the brighter the better.
You can dress up any outfit with a nice pair of shoes or boots and sky tops are fashionable this autumn. They don’t have to be boring though, you can get them in exciting colours and decorated with glitter. So it’s a win win situation, I get my practicality and the girls get their pretty pretty.

At next they have a fabulous selection of jeans, here are a few teamed with gorgeous glittery heart tops.

So when my girls have made their choice the next step is a pair of high top boots. Here are three from Next, gorgeous pink glitter boots, grey and glitter boots and just so the little man doesn’t miss out a real trendy pair for younger boys.

glitter boots £15-£18

silver sky tops £20-£22

tan colour block sky tops £20-£22

This post has been written for the Next Blogger Network. The opinions are my own and I have not been paid for this review.

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