You’ve got the shopping done and the menus prepared but the main question remains….what to wear?

Even if your party outfit’s dusted off, it still doesn’t solve the dilemma of what to put on for festive dinners with the family or low key evenings with friends, either this week or on New Years, when you want to look like you’ve made an effort but aren’t trying too hard.

Festive family meal at home
 Unless yours is the type of family who dresses formally for holiday dinners, this is the perfect occasion to wear a statement piece of knitwear such as one of this year’s short knit dresses, that will allow you to eat a big meal in comfort, in a bright shade such as purple, red, indigo or electric blue with patterned or plain opaque tights and patent heels or shoe boots. Slouchy trousers are also a good option, but if you can’t be parted from your jeans, choose a non faded well cut pair with a dressy sweater with chiffon trim or ruffles, a sequined cardigan or a satin pussy blow blouse.
Christmas Day
Although no one’s expecting you to appear in full make up before 12 on your day off, you still don’t want any house guests to see that you regularly sleep in mismatched torn pyjama bottoms, with elastic that hasn’t been operational since the early 80’s, and an oversized stained t-shirt reminiscent of an adolescence spent in a decade long past. This is the time to break out the ‘good’ nightwear and cashmere loungewear as seen in the White Company catalogue – well fitting, matching and not yet over washed and faded pyjama sets, coordinated dressing gowns, velour tracksuits or yoga trousers with little zipped hooded sweatshirts, worn with comfy plush slippers or thick socks.
New Years Eve meal out with friends
Depending on where you’re going, this could mean a little cocktail dress and platform heels or just an excuse to dress up your favourite dark pair of jeans with a sparkly top that would look overdressed on any other night of the year. Embellished jumpers, chiffon or satin tops and sheer blouses also work well with a good pair of skinny jeans or tailored black trousers. Otherwise, you could go for a cute smock/tunic style dress over leggings teamed with over-the-knee boots or heels. Switch your day bag for a metallic, leather or satin clutch or wrist bag.
End of year house party
This is another chance to wear a tunic dress or top over leggings or a smart pair of jeans with a glitzy or beaded top together with patent heels or studded ankle boots. If you want to impress, you could team your skinny trousers with a tailored blazer or biker jacket and strappy metallic sandals, or mix up a dressy shift dress with a black polo neck. You can never go wrong with a black dress worn with a wide patent belt or sequined accessories.

Have fun with your jewellery and choose between an oversized statement necklace, large cuff, cocktail ring, long dangly earrings or wear a feathered headband to create a different look.

Party, Party! 

Finish 2009 as fashionably as you mean to be in 2010 and show off this year’s little jewelled or lurex mini dress that’s been languishing in your cupboard, together with your highest heels (and the hope you won’t be spending too much time standing on your feet). If you’re feeling too cold to expose your legs, you could ditch the dress in favour of some cigarette pants and a tuxedo-style jacket. Team your outfit with your boldest lipstick and/or your smokiest eyes and welcome 2010 in style…

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