The festive season is upon us. If you’re like mum and me and generally dress quite casually, dressing for a smarter event can be tricky. It’s tricky because you want to remain yourself and feel comfortable, but you also want to make an effort and look appropriate for the occasion. On top of this, no one wants to buy new things that won’t get a lot of use after the event.

First things first. I would take a moment, preferably a couple of weeks or so beforehand - i.e. now! - to look at your existing wardrobe. Pull out the pieces that could be appropriate and lay them on the bed. Have a good look at everything and try on pieces that you haven’t worn in a while. Give yourself time to really think about how you could wear those clothes in a different way. Maybe put on some music and make the process fun!

The 80’s are back! You might be able to tell from the big statement earrings, houndstooth fabric, sequins and puffed sleeves. The earrings that mum is wearing are from the first time around…so have a dig around and see what you can find….

Think about small pieces that you could add, to make a brand new outfit. For example, the scarf that mum is wearing brings a whole new dimension to her look. By adding a scarf tied like a small cape around your shoulders, could you make a new outfit from an existing top and bottoms? Maybe treat yourself to a complimentary pair of bold earrings. Or take my outfit for example, the coloured socks bring personality to my dress. If socks aren’t your thing then maybe coloured tights or patterned ones could work? This is a relatively inexpensive way of adding new life to an old friend.

I think that we need to take a moment to admire this fully sequinned skirt. It is wonderful! It’s by a designer called Wiggy Kit and her clothes are perfection. They’re investment pieces for sure but you really do get something special. This skirt could be a bit over the top but the simple monochromic design coupled with the elegant silhouette ensures it is an incredibly chic piece. A show stopper! We have kept the rest of the outfit relatively paired back with a simple black turtle neck and a cream coat from Zara.

Of course, you don’t need to dress this skirt down. A white or black silk blouse and fitted black jacket would look incredible, as would bright red! The skirt would accommodate most colours to be honest.

Although the material is very heavy (so flattering) sequins can be unforgiving in certain light. If you’re worried about the tummy area, then I would wear your top out (rather than tucked in) so that the hem sits on your hip bone, thus covering the top of the stomach and drawing the eye down.

If you’re looking for a party shoe but you still want to dance the night away then these pointy COS numbers are for you. The front of the shoe is made from mesh ensuring it feels more like a sock than a shoe and the heel isn’t actually very high - the stiletto shape is misleading. Mum said that - for heels - she found them very comfortable (and mum never really wears heels).

For the rest of this month we will be delivering ideas for your festive sartorial needs - based on varying levels of ‘smartness’. From Christmas Day to New Year’s Eve we’ll be providing inspiration…and as always, if you’ve got yourself into a bit of a pickle, send me an email, I’m always happy to help - don’t suffer in silence - ‘tis the season to be jolly after all!