Picking The Perfect Party Dress

11 December 2009

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It is time to make the biggest decision of 2009, picking the perfectparty dress. Whether you’re off to the ‘work do’, your crazy Aunt’s Christmas gathering or your best mate’s annual ‘boozy’ house party, there are a great selection of dresses on the high street.

Picture your worst nightmare; turning up to a party and spotting that the beautiful girl at the bar is wearing a dress identical to the one you have carefully selected.

This situation can not be totally avoided but if you forget playing it safe and accessorise effectively with any luck the risks will be minimised.

For work

The Little Back Dress is reliable, slimming and sophisticated but if you want to sparkle at the office Christmas party do LBD with a twist by experimenting with sequins, lace and cut out backs.

Flashing too much flesh at the office party could tarnish your reputation and you could be left with a nickname that will stick with you for the remainder of your working years.

On the other hand if there is a handsome colleague you’ve had your eye on for months and this is your only chance to go in for the kill, you won’t turn him on in a trouser suit and buttoned up shirt.

It is important to find the right balance, you want to be flirty not dirty and we have found some dresses that we think will help you to achieve that.

If you want to cover up your shoulders opt for a sequined blazer for stylish glitz or a pleated bolero.

If covering up your legs is the problem, there are plenty of patterned tights that could be teamed successfully with black dresses.

The black sequin dress on the left is available at Topshop and you can find the black dress with sheer sleeves at Dorothy Perkins.

For friends

To avoid being the ‘invisible’ one amongst your friends when you are out on the town or at an elegant soiree round a friend’s house, experiment with colour and alternative structures.

You may associate shoulder pads with the workplace but this year they have been revamped and are deemed very fashionable. They make your waist look smaller therefore making it easier to achieve the ‘hour glass figure’ we’ve all dreamed of.

When you are with friends it is the perfect opportunity to let your hair down and show off your true personality. Don’t worry about selecting more outrageous dresses that carry an element of risk.

Feel free to flash a bit of leg or a bit of chest but still try to stick to the rule of one or the other, especially as it is cold outside; you can’t use the excuse of soaring temperatures.

If you pick a bold coloured dress you can take it two ways, either tone it down with black accessories or add a clashing clutch or waist belt.

You can find the ‘Mermaid’ style dress at ASOS.

For family

When it comes to partying with the family you want to look pretty but not trashy, confident but not cocky.

You may want your long lost cousins to think you lead an amazing life or your grandparents to think you are successful in your career.

Depending on the family you have the outfits can vary dramatically. Your granny may lose her false teeth in shock if you waltz in the room wearing a thigh skimming skirt but if you have a group of cool aunties and cousins who like to enjoy a few too many beverages during the Christmas season, it might not be such a problem.

Patterned dresses look feminine but also glamorous. It is the perfect excuse to add bold accessories.

Floral patterns are very ‘now’ and can be dressed both up and down. For the family party add stiletto heels and a hair piece to finish off the look.

Both of the dresses we think would be perfectly suited to the family party. The black and pink bold floral dress is from Dorothy Perkins.

Female First

Kelly Warden

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