Is it a crime to wanna shine?
From family get-togethers to office parties, there’s a lot of celebrating to be done in December. Consider this your warm-up, get inspired and learn the art of being extra this party see-suhn.
Words by Alina Anisimova
The festive month has come around again — and let’s be honest, the main reason December is considered the most wonderful time of the year is because it’s party season, which means glitz, glitter and glamour galore — and copious amount of mince pies and free alcohol, of course.
VAMP magazine has put together the below list of glittering crystals, disco metallics and show-stealing accessories for every occasion. It’s now or never!
Shine on
Nothing says party season quite like sequins. From Ralph Lauren’s and Saint Laurent’s sequinned dresses to the sparkly two piece at Celine, the message from the autumn/winter 2019 was glitz and shimmer. The epitome of festive cheer, this is a trend that is sure to brighten any room, plus it’s a guaranteed head-turner… need I go on? But if a full shiny look is not for you, opt for a sequinned crop top and pair it with a sharp, tailored blazer a la Balenziaga Fall 2019; or instead, wear a luminous jacket — think Ermanno Scervino and Ralph Lauren.
Suit Yourself
Who said party season is just about dresses? A good statement suit has gone from dull work-wear to classic dinner-do, and can do all of the heavy lifting. Opt for lushly rich and cold-weather-friendly velvet, the official fabric of holiday parties in dark blue, emerald green or burgundy. Your look can also be a gorgeous black trouser suit with flat shoes. Think Ralph Laurent’s sharp tailored suits and velvet jackets. Pair it with a sheer, light-weight bow-tied blouse in pastels, giving it a soft, feminine feel. Look to the likes of Philosophy Di Lorenzo Serafini and show up to the party in a lingerie dress paired with a big, boxy blazer. Divine.
Winter Pastels
Even though silver and sequins are big this time of year, we don’t have to treat them like they’re a dress code. Make a scene-stealing entrance wearing head-to-toe white or pastels amidst the festive chaos. A calming-yet-cheerful pastel palette was seen in elegant eveningwear at Brandon Maxwell and sequinned cosy sweaters at Ermanno Scervino. Add show-stopping heels or a pair of slouchy white boots — and maybe a glass of red for a flash of colour.
Eighties revival
80’s are back with a bang: shoulder pads, dramatic puff sleeves, gigantic bows and cocktail jewellery, satin and belted patent leather, and animal prints. Get inspired by Yves Saint Laurent’s Fall 2019 collection: sculptural lines, sharp tailoring, embellished mini-dresses. Show up to the party in spots, stripes or serpent skins. Think a fab 80s top in leopard, python, tiger or zebra print, ideally involving aggressive shoulder pads. Finish the look with your favourite pair of black skinnies and some look-at-me ear bling.
And there you have it: the ultimate style guide to nail every party outfit this holiday season. But are you thinking what I’m thinking? That the real magic of a great party outfit is not so much in the actual clothes as it is in the way you wear them? Sure. Those full-on sparkles, show-stealing outfits are great, don’t get me wrong. But more importantly, it’s time we make confidence and gumption the true soul of any great outfit.
Reinterpreting the classics
The two-tone tailored suit is classic eveningwear for men. Designer names such as Celine and Saint Laurent offer discreet, versatile looks with white shirts and ultra-skinny ties. To modernize the classic look, swap loafers for sneakers or boots and mix it up with T-shirts – not button-downs. Refer to Balmain, whose black-and-white tuxedos were mixed up informally with cropped jackets and sneakers. Shirts have suddenly become optional this season as some of the top runaway shows – Dries Van Noten and Prada, to name but a few – have popularised the skin-baring suit.
