How To Take Your Christmas Party Outfit To The Next Level | AD

*This post contains a paid for advertorial from Next

Christmas party season is (almost) upon us and for once I’m trying to not to get caught out with the ‘I have nothing to wear and the event is tomorrow – can I just go in my dressing gown?‘ panic that I seem to get myself into every year. You know me – I’m an organised soul – but for some reason dressing for parties, or basically any occasion where jeans and t-shirt don’t suffice, sends me into an online shopping vortex where I just can’t seem to find what I want.

If you’re nodding in agreement, then this post goes out to you. You see, I’ve had a thought. You don’t have to get a whole new outfit in order to solve your christmas party ‘What to wear?’ conundrum, just one (or two) new pieces are all you need to spice up the formal attire section of your wardrobe, which if you’re anything like me is seriously lacking. So here are five things from Next to take your seasonal style to the next level. The best bit? Order up until midnight for next day delivery. SCORE.

I mean, you just can’t go wrong with an LBD. Monochrome with a bit of leg is how I like them best and so this Gothic Lace Dress is right up my street. The bow-detail on the neck is a nice touch and the lace is delicate without snagging on everything you come within a one metre radius of. I paired with these Black Signature Velvet Touch 60 Denier Tights which are just the right opaqueness in that they show a touch of skin through them, they are extremely comfortable on the waistline and don’t dig in once my Prosecco belly fills out. Pair this with whatever clutch you have hanging around, a pair of ankle boots and you’re ready to go.

The majority of my bags are black, which doesn’t exactly scream ‘festive‘, so if you’re in the same boat as me it might be worth adding this Bronze Sequin Zip Top Clutch Bag to your shopping list. Not only will it appeal to your inner-magpie, it’s also pretty roomy – yep, those with an iPhone 7 Plus can breathe a sigh of relief. There’s a mix of metals in there, but gold is the predominant shade and I just love how this adds a touch of fanciness to my usual uniform of all-black outfits.

I struggle with stilettos. I feel like I walk like a pigeon wearing heels in them and have to make sure that I’m close to something grab-able at all times. For that reason I just feel more comfortable in boots. Bizarrely stiletto boots don’t freak me out as much as the free-standing, strappy option and I have to say that these Black Beaded Point Ankle Boots are surprisingly comfortable. I don’t feel too teetering in them and the detail makes them a little dressier than other boots I own. They look great paired with trousers, dresses or skirts as the ankle cuts off at just the right point. Perfect for a (fall-free) night out on the town.

And the award for the most fun clothing item I’ve ever owned goes to… this Black Fringe Embellished Skirt (here’s the link for the white blouse I’m wearing). I dare you not to try it on and spend the whole time in the changing room doing the twist and trying to take a Boomerang. I will admit that I did it too. Again, it’s black – so completely within my monochrome style parameters – but boy is this something a little a different. The tassels twirl away to reveal black sequin stripes underneath and the end result is extremely jazzy. Here’s the thing I like about this though; just tuck any ol’ shirt that you own into the top and instantly you have christmas-party appropriate outfit. Whip off your work trousers, throw this on and you’re good to go.

Finally we have a winter spin on the black jean classic. My whole love/hate thing with formal(-ish) events is that jeans can sometimes leave you feeling underdressed, however slip into a pair of Black Velvet Trousers and suddenly the whole thing feels decidedly dressier. I hadn’t even though of it before I clapped my eyes on these, but velvet trousers are the best alternative for jeans in these occasions. They have a comfortable waistband that doesn’t dig in and are stretchy enough without getting baggy and yep, they’re still tight around the ankle after a couple of wears (always the sign of a good skinny trouser).

So there you have it – five items to update your winter wardrobe with that will have you raring and ready to go for party season, well… tomorrow.

Photos by Lauren Shipley