Seven easy ways to glam up your workwear for Christmas parties

A smart-casual dress code may signal panic for many, but this season, take it very literally by pairing your smartest work pieces with party wear. Re-wearability is a hot topic – the Duchess of Cambridge recently re-wore an emerald sequin Jenny Packham dress to the Royal Variety Performance – and this doesn’t just mean glitzy dresses. 

After work events could mean a complete change of outfit, but if you make your wardrobe work double-duty with a few tweaks and sparkly extras (which also means less to carry), you can incorporate items you already have.

Let your feet do the talking 

Model wears a wool coat, £490, Stine Goya and leather shoes, £875, Jimmy Choo

Let your feet do the talking. A pair of sparkly shoes will instantly take an outfit from the office to the dance floor. Simpler pieces work best with this switch-up so the shoes can really shine. Pop a statement colour coat over the top and you’re ready to go.

Go big and bold 

Model wears a Bonded satin dress, £139, Mimii; oil coated cotton blend coat, £755, Kassl Editions; leather bag, £550, Wandler; leather shoes, £650, Wandler; plus, a cotton blend coat, £750, KASSL Editions

Talking of statement coats, bright colours can go a long way in grey December weather. Combine block colours together for some dopamine dressing, and make things easy by adding black and white accessories.

Timeless black 

Model wears a waistcoat, £65, & Other Stories; recycled nylon skirt, £787, NYNNE; leather bag, £1,000, Loewe

If in doubt go for black. Choose pieces with texture for a more interesting take – velvet is always a no-brainer for party season, but also consider jacquards, high-shine satin and ruching like the skirt above. Again, accessories can be the real heroes, and it’s likely that you’ll already have some black pieces in your arsenal to get started with.

Opt for simple skirts 

Model wears a lamé skirt, £575, Rejina Pyo; oversized shirt, £310, BITE; leather shoes, £430, Molly Goddard

A white shirt is one of the most versatile pieces to have in your wardrobe. Wear it loose over shorts in the summer, tucked in with tailoring to the office or open and layered over a t-shirt with jeans. 

Good quality cotton is the fabric to go for as it can easily be dressed up or down. If you have a more ostentatious bottom half like this lamé skirt, you can tone it down with a simple shirt.

Layering masterclass 

Model wears a Taffeta dress, £385, Bernadette; crystal shoes, £1,595, Jimmy Choo; crinkle shirt, £360, BITE

Got your eyes on a dress but worry the neckline is a little risqué? Layer it over a shirt or a roll neck. Bonus points for raiding your summer wardrobe.

The trophy dress 

Model wears a sequinned dress, £300, Ilta; tencel lyocell blazer, £79, Cos; nylon shoes, £412, Nodaleto; sheer socks, £1.99, Calzedonia 

A trophy dress is the real winner here. Something sparkly will juxtapose well with a tailored blazer, a versatile addition to your wardrobe. If you have a two-piece suit you’re already halfway there!

The co-ord champion

Model wears a cotton blend jacket, £629; wool vest, £425; cotton blend skirt, £425, All Shushu Tong 

A coordinating two piece is the best investment, with so many ways to wear it. Keep it casual with a soft textured knit and flat ballet shoes, or dress it up with a slinky camisole and kitten heels.

Photographer Anna Daki, Stylist Tona Stell, Model Anna Jagodinska @ Kult London, Hair by Chris Sweeney at One Represents using Sam McKnight, Make-up by Bunny Hazel Clarke using Dior Capture Totale Super Potent Serum and Forever Foundation, Stylist assisted by Sophie Tobin, Casting Amelia Trevette