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It’s official – Christmas is just around the corner and the work party season has well and truly arrived!

But how do you dress for a Christmas party if the venue of choice is less than conventional? With bosses choosing quirkier venues to host the festive celebrations, many of us have been left wondering just what on earth to wear.

You can’t go far wrong with the little black dress, but what if your work party requires something a tad more practical? Luckily, River Island have got you covered with this handy guide on how to dress for any office party venue:

Sophisticated Stately Home:


Image source: River Island

If you’re one of the lucky ones, you could be celebrating your work Christmas party in a stately home or castle. Here, you might be greeted with a medieval banquet, take part in some activities or enjoy a ball in your surroundings. Of course, it depends on what’s lined up for you at your party but it’s nice to look the part.

If you’re going to be doing a lot of dancing, you may want to opt for something more comfortable.

Plisse trousers have been on-trend in recent years — they’re comfy and fashionable! This style is perfect for flexibility in movement and keeping your legs covered for the cooler temperatures. Pair with a three-quarter sleeve fitted top or a bardot style crop to complete your look. This style goes great with flat or heeled shoes, so wear what you feel comfortable in. The great thing about these pants too is that they’ve got an elasticated waist (ideal for tucking into a medieval buffet!).

Bowling And Drinks:


Image source: River Island

Who doesn’t enjoy showing off their competitive side? If your Christmas party is at a bowling alley, chances are you’ll probably be heading out for a few drinks afterwards, so you need something that’s suitable for scoring a strike and for when you’re drinking cocktails later on.

Comfort is the name of the game here – but you’ll want to keep it stylish, of course. Think on-trend jumpsuits and trousers with a cute top. You’ve probably noticed that ‘80s fashion has been back with a bang this year, and it hasn’t stopped for AW18. It’s all about being bold with your colour palette and really owning it! It’s not often your colleagues get to see you outside of your work-wear so show them your true colours in a bold jumpsuit. Choose one with a chunky belt to create that ‘80s inspired cinched waist and accessorise with statement hoops.

You can’t go far wrong with this summer’s hottest trend – culottes. But there are so many varieties now that they certainly shouldn’t be kept for just one season.

Play it safe with high-waisted black trousers and jazz it up top with a glitter-infused bodysuit or cute crop — pair with a sparkly clutch and your good to go.

Traditional Restaurant Meal:


Image source: River Island

A meal and drinks is the traditional Christmas party format.

A traditional meal in a restaurant is the most common choice of Christmas party format. But, how should you dress for an occasion like this? It can be uncomfortable to eat a roast dinner in a tight bodycon, but you don’t want to be dressed informally for when you hit the bars later on.

If the little black dress just isn’t your thing, you may want to try something a bit more daring. Show off your pins in a midi dress and channel your inner party animal with leopard or snake print (two patterns that are very on-trend this season). Pair with barely-there sandals and a matching bag and your good to go!Of course, with the temperature being on the chilly side in December, you might want to try jeans with an embellished cami top. The covered legs will keep you warm when you’re moving from restaurant to bar and your fancy top will be admired over the dinner table.

This season, it’s all about sequin embellishments and metallic camis — perfect for this years’ festivities.

Party On A Rooftop Terrace:


Image source: River Island

Let’s face it, we all wish summer could last forever. Due to the colder climate of the UK, we don’t get to spend much time outdoors during the autumn and winter so a party on a rooftop makes a nice change!

Rooftop terrace parties give you the chance to really show off your style credentials – think red dresses, sequins or long glittering ball gowns. Why not go all out in a sequin maxi dress? Or pair an accordion skirt with a sequin top. Keep your feet warm in suede heeled ankle boots or a dressy loafer.

Outdoor venues definitely call for a good coat. This season it’s all about faux fur and we’re loving it! Keep it classic in a black or brown waist-length jacket or go big and bold with a coloured fur coat and chunky collar.

If this isn’t your style, you can’t go wrong in a classic leather jacket — match with a cross-body clutch and your outfit is complete.

Ladies all over the UK adore heading to the races. But do you know what you’re going to wear yet?

Take on the rising temperatures with these effortless throw-on-and go summer dresses for any sunny escapade.

The perfectly understated, Mattie Dress , from Oliver Bonas, is the answer to all those warm days with its cold shoulder detail, large side pockets and button -through front, and bright stripe. With light apricot and black stripes this midi length sundress gives the body give a tailored fit and A-line silhouette, while at the same time creating a feminine shape at the waist. And the deep V-neck and cold sholders showing some skin. show a little skin.

This Light Blue denim cut out midi dress from River Island is a daytime must have, with its cute bow detail and scoop-out neckline makes it the quintessential throw-on-and-go dress. Whether you are just doing some light shopping or lunch with the girls.

The tropical print Bardot dress from Simply B is daytime perfection. definitely a dress you will wear all season long wear.

The soft and feminine, Figure Checked Midi Dress, from Oliver Bonas, with its low open back and bow detail it is both effortless and chic. (Available In-store and online July)

Everybody loves a good doodle, and the Doodle Floral High Neck Dress does not dissapoint, it is playful and sexy. With its short kimono sleeves, and elegant high neck, and fabric tie at the waist, it will work well for holiday daytime frollicks or office wear. It will quickly become your most treasured throw-on-and-go summer dress.

The bikini to avoid if you want to feel confident on the beach.

Get ahead of Autumn/Winter with these looks from the High Street.

Set free you inner-animal with this High neck skater style animal print pleated dress, paired with the ever so sexy, thigh high black pointed heeled boots. Perfect for the office.

All available @ www.newlook.com 

Love, this queen of the street look, with its effortless thrown together pieces, working fabulously together. The Burgundy Maxi slip dress paired with a white roll-neck top and the fab vintage feel, faux fur collar heritage checked coat.

All Available @ www.primark.com

My favorite, the Romantic Boho Wanderer, with a touch of 60’s/70’s cool. The Pink frilled top giving the touch of romance and the A-line embroidered denim skirt bringing the “bohemian wanderer” with the buckled patent leather boot stepping you right into that 70/60’s Cool.

All available @ www.riverisland.com

Subtly sexy, tease your date in this mesh ruffle metallic polka dot top with its cold shoulder detail and A-line gold sequins mini skirt for an added touch of sparkle.

All Available at www.missselfridge.com 

We are in the last month of summer and as much as we hate to think of autumn/winter, we cannot avoid it because it is coming. But at least we be prepared. So maybe knowing what to expect, you will be a bit more excited about Autumn /Winter.

Bomber jacket has already been a rage all summer season and they are back for another season

For the colder seasons, we see this much loved item updated with sequins, embroidery and prints to elevate if from a key piece into a can’t-do-without item.

Available @ www.glamorous.com

Available @ www.next.co.uk

Another great love of the summer season, the cold shoulder, is back to rule the new season with variations ranging from super cool sexy dresses to knitwear for edgy street wear.

Available @ www.riverisland.com 

Available @ www.newlook.com

Making a comeback from the 90s, the minimalist slip dress is here to stay. Take your pick from delicate lace trims, to dainty florals, and classic spaghetti straps.

Available @ www.rivierisland.com

Available @ www.riverisland.com 

Available @ www.missselfridge.com 

No A/W season is complete without velvet. The key fabric for the season and no matter how you wear it, crushed, colored, top-to-toe, just make sure that you have something velvet in your new season wardrobe.

Available @ www.primark.com 

Available @ www.riverisland.com 

Another one from the 90s is the choker, this season it is back to make a statement and you will love it.

Available @ www.newlook.com 

Available @ www.riverisland.com 

Seems like we just cannot get enough of them, platform boots and chunky heels. This season we will love them even more as they have been given a new lease on life for A/W 16 in Black suede and velvet making is super-hot especially on those cold days.

Available @ www.newlook.com 

Available @ www.newlook.com 

Embrace Color

If you prefer darker colors like black, gray and navy, because of the slimming effect, it is time to embrace color. So step out of your comfort zone and incorporate color pieces into your outfits.

Prints that flatter your figure

Do not over layer, even if you feel you need just one more layer to hide your shape, don’t. Keep it light, comfy and cute.

Do not be afraid of trends, so if the trend is off-the-shoulder, then wear it, nothing is stopping you.

Show off your best bits, so if it is your legs then flaunt it!!

I was fortunate enough to be invited to the River Island Style Studio Valentine’s Blogger Event which gave me the opportunity to finally experience the Style Studio and I’m sure it won’t be my last.

Never heard of the Style Studio?

Well………Style Studio launched in the London and Birmingham flagship shops and offers personal, one-to-one bespoke styling services from retailer’s stylists for a 30 minute, one-hour or two-hour session giving customers the opportunity to find out about the latest trends and collections to, “discover their individual style.”

The Style Studio personal shopper lounge is a large luxurious space with comfy sofas and great lighting and massive fitting rooms, perfect if you wanted to bring your friends to give you the thumbs up on your outfit (Or hands down) there is even a bar in case you work up a thirst during your styling session or you need some liquid courage.

Oh and I have to mention ‘magic mirror’, this baby allows you see yourself in 360 degrees, compare outfit photos or even take selfies that you can upload to your social media or send to someone to get a 2nd opinion on your outfit.

The Valentines event was absolutely lovely I was able to network with loads of amazing bloggers and we were all treated to prosecco cookies and other nibbles yum!

The stylists picked out outfits for each blogger and we all tried on and strutted our stuff in front of the magic mirror we also played some party games none of which I won and talked to the stylists about the collection.

If you would like to give the Style Studio a whirl you can make an appointment via the website: www.riverisland.com