Top style tips for the Christmas party

Guest stylist Sarah from Styling Mrs Oliver

Stuck for outfit ideas for the festive silly season? Not sure what de rigueur is for a formal occasion, casual lunch or sounded-like-a-good-idea-at-the-time boat party? We’re chuffed to be joined again by guest stylist Sarah Calvert from Styling Mrs Oliver who’s mined hardtofind for the solutions to your Christmas fashion dilemmas – plus found her five top gifts for fashion-minded friends.

Christmas party time has arrived so now is the time to shop and have some fun. Whether you’re dressing up for a work party or keeping it more casual for a laid-back BBQ or boat party, making sure you’re comfortable and wearing the right shoes is essential to ensuring that you have a great time, look cool and can stay the distance.

Here are my takes on three party outfits with accessories, party heels and back-up party sandals for difficult terrain or comfort at the end of the night. Now is the time to shine with a mix of metallics, vivid colour and a perfect party dress.

The formal Christmas party dress

This has to be the ultimate Christmas party dress! I love the directional bespoke print in fresh aqua coloured silk. Wear it with a pair of Christmas party heels in blush pink/white leather heels that elongate the leg with a silver & gold metallic clutch. It is all about the statement print in this stunning Christmas party outfit so accessories, like these drop earrings, are minimal and very chic. It’s a stunning outfit to wear for a more formal occasion, but is also versatile enough (you can style it in five other ways) to wear with flats to a more casual event.

The boat party two-piece

White is fresh, cools you down in the summer heat and looks very dramatic especially head-to-toe. Try dressing up a top and skinny cotton leggings with statement jewellery for a Christmas party look. The top has fullness at the hem and hides the tummy area (useful around lunch and dinner time) and the cotton leggings are stretchy, comfortable and supportive. If you prefer to cover your bottom try a longer line top, which has a lace panel detail at the back. Wear with a bronze coloured statement necklace, earrings and bronze metallic slides plus a white cut-out clutch bag. Easy, effortless Christmas style that is so versatile, you can dress these summer staples in so many other ways and really maximise your purchases throughout the season.

The beach party or BBQ

Vivid flamingo pink is one of my favourite key colours this summer. This gorgeous kaftan is such a great piece to dress up for a pre-Christmas pool party or festive BBQ. Wear it with silver leather Christmas sandals, strands of silver bohemian necklaces and beautiful aqua drop earrings.

This is such an easy piece to throw on, so you will get plenty of wear out of it over the summer season. This kaftan is also available in a monochrome combo, so for those of you who shy away from bright colours, you can buy this in black and white, too.

The silver sequinned raffia basket is perfect to carry swimmers, makeup and towel and could not be more perfect as a must-have Christmas party fashion item these holidays!

Top 5 gifts for fashionistas

Gold metallic bird printed scarf in blush pink cotton
This is the perfect Christmas gift and will certainly be going on my Christmas wish list. You can add your own personalised sterling silver charms, which is the sweetest touch. It is a great price, very much on trend and gift wrapped with free shipping so such an amazing little package. $40.00 (Tip: order early to avoid Christmas rush as it comes from the UK.)

Almond leather silver studded sandal
These are such a great style and amazing price, too. They’re the perfect holiday sandals to wear with jeans or summer separates. Nude leather sandals go with everything, especially sun-kissed feet! $159.00

How chic is this to pull out of your handbag? Give your passport a makeover this Christmas with this gold faux leather passport holder promising to help you board with a smile. $29.95

Tassled strands of beads will add some bohemian charm this Christmas. Wear them with a bikini and kaftan or white tee shirt and jeans for some laid-back elegance. $20.00

This beautiful embroidered cotton cheesecloth shirt would be an amazing Christmas day outfit and so easy to wear. Tuck it into a breezy flowing maxi skirt or a pair of cut-off jean shorts with sandals. Relax and enjoy! $159.00

Styling Mrs Oliver is a consultancy that specialises in personal styling and design as well as colour and trend forecasting. Follow them on Instagram and Pinterest.