If there’s one occasion that’s the perfect excuse to dress up, it’s for a Christmas party. Whether it’s a works do, a school party or having a get-together with family or friends over the festive period, there are no fashion rules! That’s what makes figuring out what to wear to a Christmas party challenging.
It’s a lovely time to get a brand new outfit but we’re also firm believers that fashion should be wearable all year round (apart from Christmas jumpers). We want to help you to build a wardrobe filled with pieces you can easily dress up or down in everyday life. Having a closet of high-quality items that you love and wear regularly is much better than buying an item to wear once and never again.
We’ve collated a selection of our countryside staples and created outfits that are dressy enough to wear for any Christmas party but with a change of shoes or jacket, you could wear them elsewhere too. Don’t forget that we love a mix-and-match wardrobe so every item can create a new outfit every time.
Men
It’s no longer a requirement (unless the invitation states otherwise) that men must wear a suit to a Christmas party. That doesn’t mean loungewear will cut it unless it’s a very casual dress code at a friend’s house! An item that every country gentleman should already have in his wardrobe is a pair of dark-wash jeans.
They’re one of the most versatile items to have as they go with every type, pattern or colour of top, shirt or jumper. The darker the wash, the smarter they look so avoid lighter denim for dressier occasions. Skinny jeans are often uncomfortable so it’s great that straight-leg or slim-fit designs are in fashion right now. They’re easy to dress up for a smart-casual event too, simply by adding a collared shirt and smart leather shoes, such as Chelsea boots or brogues. The beauty of dark-wash denim is that you can go bold with colour or pattern on your top half as they’re more of a neutral shade.
If you like darker trousers but aren’t a fan of jeans, moleskin trousers could fit the bill instead. Again, they’re the same straight-cut style as our denim but they just feel smart as soon as you put them on. For work parties, pair with a tweed blazer and a checked shirt for the ultimate country gentleman outfit. The dark khaki shade is once again easy to style, matching beautifully with other shades of green, brown and cream. However, pops of blue, red or yellow add personality to your outfit.
For those who prefer lighter trousers, you can’t go wrong with some beige chinos. They’re the perfect blend between trousers and jeans, ideal for dressier events. They have a slim but not skinny leg for a tapered effect. For a Christmas party, how about wearing your chinos with a shooting jumper or even a Christmas-themed jumper if you’re feeling really festive? Again, beige chinos act like a neutral piece in any outfit to allow you to wear coloured tops in whatever shade you like!
Women
Whilst we love the look of sequins and dressing up to the nines for a Christmas party, we’re also on a mission to re-wear our clothing, which sequins for every day isn’t really done! Depending on how dressy you want to be, you have plenty of options when it comes to Christmas party looks.
A ladylike place to start is with a tweed skirt. The wool blend material is such a great quality and all our skirts fit either mid-thigh or just above the knee, making it an ideal fit for women of any size. Our newer styles have a slight A-line design to them whereas our other option is a straight fit. To pair with your new tweed skirt, a floaty blouse tucked in with a country animal print would look dressy enough for lots of events. Finish the look off with knee-high riding boots or heeled ankle boots for a feminine but cosy look.
If you love skirts but tweed isn’t your thing, a chino or denim skirt might be more your style. Again, the fit is perfect for all ladies finishing mid-thigh and the extra stretch makes it perfect for work do’s when the buffet or meal will be the star of the show! Because the skirt is on the shorter side, you might need to keep warm up top. A V-neck ribbed jumper is another style that suits everyone and with a neutral-coloured skirt, you can go bold for colour on top if you wish. You can wear just about any shoes with this look too but we love a Chelsea ankle boot to show off your legs. Don’t forget to throw on some thick thermal tights too to keep yourself extra warm!
For those who prefer trousers, you really can’t go wrong with some dark wash jeans, in either a slim-leg or straight-leg fit. Our denim is made from super stretchy cotton with added elastane so you’ll be able to dance the night away in these jeans and show off your moves! Because the dark wash acts as a neutral, once again you can opt for colour and pattern on your top half. Whether it’s a country-checked shirt or a Christmas jumper, we love that you can show off your personality with bold patterns, such as checks, animal prints or stripes. We love adding a heeled boot to a simpler outfit to give it that feminine touch too.
To add a dressier element to any outfit, you can also pop on a tweed blazer to finish off the look. It screams elegance and country lady vibes and just adds a touch of glamour to an otherwise plain outfit. You want your blazer to be fitted but not tight so bear this in mind if you have broader shoulders or a larger bust. If you prefer an even more glamorous look, a tweed poncho is exactly the right piece for you. You could even match it to your tweed skirt for a more cohesive look. The faux fur collar is such a stylish touch too.
Whether you’re someone who loves to get dressed up formally for a Christmas party or you prefer to keep it smart-casual for comfort and style, we hope you’ve found plenty of options with our guide on what to wear to a Christmas party. We believe you don’t have to buy a full new outfit for a Christmas do but adding in a few new key pieces will see you through all year long for just about any occasion, whether smart or casual.
