Christmas Party Outfits: Statement Pieces You Will Wear Again

The easiest Christmas party outfits are built around one statement piece, with the warmth kept on your bottom half. A metallic blouse with warm trousers, a sparkle knit with a pleated skirt or a matching co-ord with a blazer over the top all look dressed up, without leaving you cold on the way there.

Party dressing means something different to everyone, and there are levels of statement. Some of us like to go all out, while others would rather give a quiet nod to the occasion, whether that is lunch at a friend's house or a big work party. The ideas below run from a blazer with jeans through to head to toe metallics, and each piece also works for the office or the weekend, which is what makes a party outfit worth buying.

How to dress for a Christmas party and stay warm

A coat comes off when you arrive, but whatever is on your bottom half stays with you all evening, so that is where the warmth needs to go. As Hayley Thomas, our founder, puts it, “you can take your coat off when you get there, but you can't take your bottom half off.” Your top half is the part you can layer and change as the room warms up.

That makes trousers the easiest starting point in December. The Billie Barrel Leg Faux Leather Trousers look dressy and have a soft brushed lining, so they feel closer to a jogger than a typical faux leather trouser, and they wipe down if it drizzles on the way. Dark jeans also keep the warmth where you need it, and a long skirt hides tights or leggings underneath. A short dress is the hardest choice in winter, unless you are happy in thicker tights.

A statement blouse with warmer trousers

The most reliable of the Christmas party outfit ideas is a statement blouse with a warmer bottom half. The Poppy Puff Sleeve Blouse in black and gold has a muted gold chevron print rather than a shiny one, a V neck and soft balloon sleeves that gather into a neat cuff. Worn with the faux leather Billie and a gold heel, it has a 1970s feel and makes a party outfit you will not freeze in.

The Poppy's tie threads through a loop at the back of the neck, so it can change the look. Taken off, it leaves a simple V neck. Tied loosely or in a bow at the base of the V, it softens the neckline, and tied higher it works in place of a necklace. The Poppy also comes in a silver stripe, a silver print on black.

The Jules Striped Blouse gives a longer sleeve, in a semi-sheer metallic chiffon with a velvet trim at the shoulder and cuff, and its velvet ribbon can hang loose or tie in a bow at the neck. Our guide to how to style leather trousers has more on the faux leather Billie, and jeans and a nice top covers the same blouses with dark denim.

Party outfits for women who love a co-ord

For a full statement, a matching blouse and trousers give the effect of a jumpsuit. The Poppy with the Florence Gold Print Trousers feels playful and a little disco, but it is easy to wear. The Florence is a soft balloon shape with a flat front, an elasticated back and elasticated cuffs, lined so the chiffon is not see-through, and it has been refitted this year to sit more easily across the top of the hip. If you are shorter, the leg can be pulled up so the fabric drapes over the cuff, which adjusts the length.

In silver, the Florence Silver Print Trousers match both the silver Poppy and the Jules. For something subtler than metallic, the Maeve Balloon Trousers are a navy satin balloon shape, again with a flat front and an elasticated back, and they pair with the Sylvie Draped Blouse, whose bubble hem means there is no need to tuck, or with the navy Jules Blouse, which was designed to match.

A blazer over a co-ord adds warmth and structure, and it tones the metallics down if you would rather not be quite so shiny. The Josephine Wool Blend Blazer is a longline, double breasted wool blend, tailored in at the waist, and it looks best here with the sleeves rolled. A knit over the top is the softer alternative for when you first arrive and the party has not quite got going.

Every co-ord also works as separates, so the pieces go on being useful after Christmas. The Poppy is just as good with black jeans, the Florence looks relaxed with a white shirt and flats or a plain black jumper, and the Maeve works with a cashmere blend jumper.

A sparkle knit with a statement skirt

If you would rather be cosy than glamorous, a sparkle knit with a statement bottom half gives you both. The Blythe Funnel Neck Cropped Jumper in ice blue sparkle is a heavy wool and cashmere knit with a subtle silver sparkle, and because it is cropped to the waist it sits neatly over the Mia Pleated Skirt without a tuck. Our guide to Christmas Day outfits has more ways to wear a luxe knit with something shiny.

Work Christmas party outfits

A work Christmas party usually means going straight from your desk, so the outfit has to work in the office first. The pleats of the Mia keep it smart enough for work, while its gentle metallic shimmer is ready for the evening. With a crisp white shirt, such as The Perfect Shirt, and a blazer over the top, it is an office outfit, and taking the blazer off turns it into a dinner one. In bronze, the Mia looks polished with the Josephine blazer in taupe.

If you prefer trousers, the Tess Clean Cargo Trousers in black are a close match for the black Josephine, so the two work as a suit. A shirt underneath keeps it formal for the day, and a statement blouse such as the Poppy in its place takes it to the party, because the plain trouser leaves the blouse to do the talking.

The Celine Swing Jacket is a gentler nod to the occasion. It is a cropped, boxy wool blend in a marled grey with black trim and covered buttons, a swing back and bracelet sleeves, and a little metallic fibre gives it a subtle sparkle. Over a black roll neck with tailored trousers, it suits a party that starts at the office.

New Year's Eve outfits

New Year's Eve is the night for the full metallic co-ord, with a heel and the blazer to hand. For something with more edge, the silver Poppy with washed black jeans keeps the sparkle but toughens it up.

The Esme Off Shoulder Top is the other way to dress up. It can be worn off the shoulder, straight across in a bardot line, or up on the shoulders as a soft cowl neck, and in chocolate it suits the bronze Mia. Chocolate is a good alternative to black for dressier outfits, because it is a little softer next to the skin. The Esme also has its own co-ord partner, covered in our guide to how to style a tulle skirt.

What shoes to wear to a Christmas party

A heel is always a good choice for a party, and it can stay in your bag until you arrive. A silver or gold heel picks up the metal in the outfit, and the bronze Mia works with either. With a longer skirt, a long boot or a low heeled boot with a narrow ankle looks neatest, ideally with tights in the same colour so the leg reads as one long line. For the evening, clumpy boots are best avoided, because they make heavier winter pieces look heavier still.

In short, the best Christmas party outfits combine one statement piece with warmth on the bottom half, and each piece should work again once the party season is over.

Frequently asked questions

What should I wear to a Christmas party?

A statement blouse with warm trousers is the easiest outfit, such as a metallic blouse with faux leather trousers and a heel. A matching co-ord with a blazer, or a sparkle knit with a pleated skirt, are good alternatives.

What do you wear to a work Christmas party?

The best work party outfit is one that suits your desk first, such as a metallic pleated skirt with a white shirt and a blazer. Taking the blazer off in the evening makes it feel dressier without a change of clothes.

How do you stay warm at a Christmas party?

The warmth belongs on your bottom half, because your coat comes off but your trousers or skirt stay on. Faux leather trousers, dark jeans and long skirts with tights or leggings underneath all help.

Can you wear jeans to a Christmas party?

Dark jeans with a statement blouse and a heel look dressed up and keep you warm. Black or rinse wash denim works best, because it is easier to dress up than a lighter wash.

What should I wear on New Year's Eve?

New Year's Eve suits the most statement outfit, such as a metallic blouse and trousers worn together as a co-ord. A wool blend blazer over the top adds warmth and tones the shine down.

What shoes go with a Christmas party outfit?

A silver or gold heel that picks up the metallic in the outfit is the easiest choice. With a longer skirt, a long boot or a narrow low heeled boot with matching tights keeps the line long.