Festive fashion: How to go from desk to drinks this Christmas

With Christmas party season in full swing, there are bound to be plenty of opportunities for you to meet up with friends for a drink or two after work. Whether it’s a long overdue catch up with the girls or a festive office party, you want to look your best for the occasion. Striking the right balance between work-appropriate and party-ready can be tricky – but it’s not impossible!

This festive fashion guide inspired by this season’s biggest trends will help you move effortlessly from desk to drinks this Christmas.

A no-fuss option is an ensemble that doesn’t take a lot of preparation after the working day is done. Like every year, we’re embracing the glitz and glam of the winter season so include a touch of sparkle in whatever you choose. This chunky knit and skirt combo is perfect for a seasonal party, keeping you warm enough for when you’re walking from bar to bar but dressy enough for when you hit the dancefloor. The style of this jumper is ideal for the office, and the high-neck brings an edge to your workwear look. Simply pair with black jeans throughout the day and swap for a mini-skirt for the evening. Pair with your favourite pair of heeled pointed courts and clutch bag, complete with gold embellishments, and you’re ready for whatever the night holds.

Want to add a few finishing touches to your outfit before going out? Style down a jumper dress during the day with tights and flat pumps and dress it up on the evening with a cross-body bag and printed shoes. Black is the perfect colour for work-to-play as it gives off sophisticated vibes in a business meeting and creates a classy evening look when you head out to the bar. Accessorise with chunky drop-earrings and statement rings to complete the look. Fortunately for us, knitted jumper dresses come in a range of styles today, suitable for all shapes and sizes. Choose one with a leg-split for something that’s less formal where can show off your pins post-5pm.

Of course, the bar isn’t the only destination you could be heading to for your night out – what about post-work restaurant meals? Style-up in this season’s colour palette — autumnal brown. Choose a culotte waistline to show off your curves but keep it formal with a jumper and blazer. When it’s time to clock-out, swap your smart coat for a leopard print jacket and you’re ready for the evening! Bringing together different garments from the same colour palette is an on-trend technique that’s ideal for work-to-play outfits — it creates a look that’s well put together and not too loud for work.

If you prefer to stick to more eye-catching colours, think about swapping your summer brights for jewel tones; emerald and burgundy hues are all over the catwalks this season and red dresses can always be dressed down at work with the addition of a blazer or long cardigan. If you do decide to experiment with something a little brighter, you can always make an outfit more formal by wearing a tailored blazer and mid-heel court shoes, and even tweaks to your look like wearing your hair in a neat bun can exude a work-ready vibe. Once you’re out-of-office has been switched on, remove your blazer and throw on a pair of block-heel mules or studded suede heeled sandals to give the illusion of beautifully elongated legs. Forget jackets and kimonos — now’s the time to show off that gorgeous colour you’ve been keeping elegantly under wraps all day…

Dresses today offer such a huge variety of lengths, colours, necklines and cuts that it’s easy to find the ideal design for both a night out and office meetings. Longer hemlines and high-neck designs are a great option as they help keep you warmer in the evening and look smart enough for office wear. If you’d rather go for a midi hemline, you can. If you like wearing loud-print dresses on nights out, there’s no reason you can’t in the office too — just make sure you opt for midi hemlines and high necklines to make them more suitable for business. Tone the volume of your printed dress down with neutral accessories and a long-sleeve jacket. When it’s time to clock off, put your flats under the desk and go for strappy wedges, a chic clutch, and plenty of jewellery.