Earlier in the week I rounded up a selection of my favourite frocks for office Christmas party season, but I’m well aware that not everyone wants to prance around in a spangly little cocktail number.
With that in mind, here’s a selection of alternative festive party wear for those of you who don’t love dresses quite as much as I do. I guarantee you’ll wipe the floor with the other gals in your department.
Sequin Cropped Harem Trousers
£55, Topshop
Ah, remember when harem pants began their comeback a couple of years ago? How we all laughed! But now times have kinda changed. Granted, not everyone has converted to the wonder of the saggy-crotched wonders, but you’re not going to get laughed out of the office in these. Keep your top half simple and wear with super high heels to prevent looking like MC Hammer and you’re all set to dazzle.
Bow Shoulder Playsuit
£38, ASOS
Avoiding a dress doesn’t have to mean covering up from head to toe and abandoning any ideas of frou frou and frills. This slinky playsuit from ASOS is as shiny and sexy as any cocktail dress, but with the added reassurance that if you fall over when you’re drunk you won’t show your arse to everyone. Only downside is that you’ll need to give yourself five extra minutes when you need to pee, so bear that in mind before you down that sixth pint of Magners.
Georgette Crop Top
£25, New Look
Crop tops were one of this year’s surprise hits and make a fantastic party option. Wear with jeans or shorts and if you’ve not got a washboard stomach (who has?) layer over a colour coordinating vest or cami. I love crop tops with high-waisted bottom halves. No cold bits, no pasty tummy to worry about an all-round stylish look. It’s a win-win situation really.
V-Neck Sleeveless Belted Jumpsuit
£49.50, Marks and Spencer
The difference between a jumpsuit and a playsuit according to the fashion gods is that a jumpsuit has long legs and a playsuit has short. Where that leaves a romper is beyond me. Jumpsuits, like playsuits, have managed to lose their 80s connotations and are now generally accepted as a super stylish eveningwear option. This wide-legged all-in-one from M&S is probably better suited to tall gals or at least long-legged lovelies, not little stumps like me.
Floral Printed Playsuit
£38, Miss Selfridge
Another playsuit, but this time it’s a longer length which makes it a more wearable option for those of us that aren’t blessed with giraffe-esque limbs. It also has pockets which are always a plus and there’s belthoops so you can cinch it in at the waist for a more flattering fit. The print lends itself really well to my old favourite, black opaque tights, although that does add another tricky layer to wriggle out of when you need a wee.
Black Long Sequin Waistcoat
£22, Dorothy Perkins
If all else fails, add sequins. I know that sounds like the kind of namby pamby advice Cosmo gives, but I’m not suggesting anything sartorially shitty. Black sequins are spangly enough to say party but not so shiny you resemble a disco ball and the long-line of this waistcoat makes it a bit more casual than a fitted, snooker player style. Thrown on over just about anything this will make you look party-ready without looking lame or too try-hard.