The December calendar is quickly filling up with holiday balls, office celebrations and other seasonal affairs, so there’s a good chance you have a holiday event – or three – to attend. So it’s time to think about your party looks before it’s too late. 

Photos: Miguela Xuereb

With so many choices out there – from shiny looks adding sparkle to the season to dreamy velvety suits – it’s never been easier to get in the festive spirit while making a modern evening statement. Whatever is your festive flow, there is truly something for everyone.

Cherry Christmas

Red means business this season, and if street style has taught us anything, it is that fortune favours the brave when it comes to going bold with red hues and wearing it head-to-toe. Not to mention red is a tried-and-true recipe for holiday dressing. Perfect for any event where the dress code is strictly black tie – an off-the-shoulder maxi dress or an elegant cami dress in burgundy, poppy, cerise, scarlet, vermilion will work a treat. For a dose of instant glamour, add red lips and nails, to complete the festive dream look.

Suit yourself

If you’re not one for dresses, a suit is a slick party-season alternative. Yves Saint Laurent and his take on black-tie eveningwear known as ‘Le Smoking’ tuxedo has been a seriously stylish form of after-dark attire since the 1960s. This season, a suit is something really comfortable but still festive and dressed-up. There are disco suits in every colour, cut and texture.

If wearing shine is not for you, suits in blue, red and green are all perfect for the festive season. A pair of major earrings will be your hero piece to complement this look. To finish, add a dark lip to up the glam factor even more and get ready to spread the Christmas cheer.

Rise and shine

Nothing says party season quite like sequins. A shiny dress or chic jumpsuit are obviously very extra and the epitome of festive cheer. Being fully sequinned is a guaranteed head-turner, but if a full shiny look that has got New Year’s Eve written all over it is not for you, disco ball-inspired trousers or sequin pencil skirt paired with solid top will get you covered.

Less is more

Even though gold and silver are big this time of year, you can play it safe and go for a timeless little black dress, a proper off-the-shoulder velvet dress or tuxedo dress. The perfect mix of classy and chic, this kind of glam might just be perfect for a Christmas party for the minimalists out there. To take the look from daytime to champagne celebrations, add some sparkly earrings or a shiny bag as a low-key Christmas bonus.

This article first appeared in Christmas Times magazine.