With the arrival of December and the build-up to Christmas in full swing, there are an abundance of opportunities to grab a drink or two with friends and colleagues after work. Maybe you’re meeting up to celebrate the end of the year with your co-workers or perhaps you’re in need of a good catch up with friends over some cocktails. No matter the occasion, you want to make sure that you’re looking your best and feeling great. Selecting the perfect outfit for in and out-of-office socialising can be a difficult task – but it’s not impossible!
We’ve put together this helpful desk to drinks Christmas guide inspired by the most stylish catwalk looks from AW18 to help you move effortlessly from office to bar this festive season.
Keeping it simple:
Outfits that require minimal preparation after you’ve clocked out are the safest bet for occasions such as this. 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.
If you really want a change of outfit before setting off, there are ways that you can compromise. 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.
A splash of colour:
Not all post-office get-togethers involve going out for drinks, however. Going out for a restaurant meal is also a great option if you’re in need of a catch up with friends. 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’d rather include a pop of colour in your outfit, you could try out jewel tones; emerald green, burgundy and mustard yellow are very on-trend this season and they won’t look out of place in the office. A good way to make an outfit more formal is to add a tailored blazer and mid-heel court shoes, you can even tweak your look by wearing your hair in a neat bun to 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.
General tips and tricks:
With December being one of the coldest months of the year, it’s a good idea to think about staying warm throughout the evening. 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.
Maxi hemline dresses and buttoned-up, collared neck tops are ideal office-ready fashion, as they’re both formal and comfortable for important meetings and busy days. But what do you do in the evening? When it’s time for drinks, use a belt to cinch in your waist and create a gorgeous, party-ready silhouette. Then, throw on your tallest pair of heels to get you in the mood for a fun night out. Dress up your look with statement jewellery — think chunky necklaces, bangles, and big hoop earrings — then quickly slick on an extra layer of mascara and eyeliner and you’re good to go for a big night out in minutes.
