Our Guide to Festive Season Party Dressing
Let Hope & Ivy Help You
Decipher The Dress Code!
‘Tis the season to be jolly glamorous! We’re the first to jump at an opportunity to get all dressed up but, as festive invites begin to pour in through letterboxes (or, more likely, into email inboxes), it can be hard to know just what to wear. There are various levels of formality to consider, not to mention the challenge of mixing in unfamiliar social settings. And when dress codes can be as vague as ‘Dress to Impress’, it’s no wonder we might be unsure just how glam to go!
As mystifying as they can be, dress codes are intended to make attendees’ lives easier, ensuring guests can get on with the important business of enjoying the event. Allow us, then, to run through some potential sartorial scenarios that you might encounter over Christmas, so you can be festive and fashionable this party season.
Black Tie / Formal
One of the most formal dress codes (only surpassed by White Tie, reserved for state banquets and balls), ‘Black Tie’ has enjoyed something of a revival in recent years thanks to our appetite for period dramas and all things vintage. Calling for elegant evening dress, this stylish instruction often appears on invitations for parties, dinners and, increasingly, weddings.
We suggest opting for full finery that’s grown-up and sophisticated – think floor-skimming or midi-length styles decorated with dazzling embellishments like The Willa, The Anastasia, The Armande, and The Artemis. Sleeves can be a chic choice too, as formal settings sometimes expect a more demure – but no less dramatic – approach to evening attire. Oh, and one last thing: ‘Black Tie’ doesn’t literally require a sombre palette, but since black has long been the colour of understated glamour, it remains a safe and timeless choice - why not try The Melanie?
Cocktail Dress
As a sartorial rule, ‘Cocktail Attire’ is perhaps the dress code that causes the most confusion. After all, what exactly defines a cocktail dress? To understand this enigmatic fashion term, it’s best to look back at its origins in the 1920s, when nighttime revellers sought out styles with short hemlines balanced by long sleeves – a practical choice for flappers eager to party the night away with a drink in hand.
While trends have changed, that blend of practicality and playfulness remains; a cocktail dress can really be any style that suits you, as long as it’s fun, fancy, and relatively comfortable. We’d suggest easy shift silhouettes trimmed with feathers, like our Etta and Cerise styles or strapless design strewn with sequins, like The Bambi.
Desk-to-Dancefloor
Whether you’re popping open a prosecco near the printers or your company is splashing out on a more fancy affair, it can be tricky to switch from corporate queen to fashion maven – especially when the only place to get changed is the office loos! Our advice?
Opt for an easy dress that flies under the radar while you’re working but can be effortlessly elevated as soon as you clock off. With high necklines and long sleeves, our Edith and Reine dresses are office-appropriate, while the pencil silhouette of The Juno feels smart enough to style with a blazer during the day. Then, simply slip into stilettos and add dazzling accessories at EOD. And if dresses aren’t your thing at work, why not try styling a striking blouse like The Juni Mae with tailored separates?
Fun and Festive
Like mulled cider and mince pies, you’re certain to encounter a ‘Festive Dress’ style directive of some sort during the holiday season. While some might see this as a cue to dust off their embarrassing Christmas jumper, we’d suggest taking a more polished approach by opting for an outfit that’s more ballgown than snowball.
Why not draw inspiration from the season’s colours and choose a scarlet shade worthy of Santa with The Clarette? Or try The Edelie in emerald green and cranberry florals, accented with glittering gold polka dots. Jewel tones in plush velvets or lustrous satins also feel sophisticated and special, while sparkly details and pretty bows add a suitably merry and bright touch.
Whatever the event in your diary, we say if you’re on the fence about what to wear, it’s always worth dressing up rather than down – after all, it’s more fun that way!
Throughout the run-up to Christmas, we see every occasion as an opportunity to shine, so make sure you revel in all that shimmers this season. All that remains is to decide which of our party pieces you’ll be choosing as your plus-one!