FlamingoFor a Christmas party, take clothes you'd already wear to the occasion and add one festive thing: a rich fabric such as velvet, satin or sequins, a deep colour such as burgundy, forest green or navy, or a piece of metallic jewellery or a shiny shoe. For an office party, keep it to one such piece with a neat shape, so you'd still feel comfortable talking to your manager. For a dinner or a house party, a knit with satin trousers or a velvet blazer looks festive without trying too hard. For a night out, go for sequins, a slip dress or a sharp dark suit. Start with what you own, because a new shoe or top is often all an old outfit needs.
What should I wear to a work Christmas party?
Check the invitation and the venue first. A drinks evening straight after work needs an outfit that goes from your desk to the party.
For women:
- Black trousers, a satin blouse and metallic flats.
- A velvet midi dress with low boots.
- A fine knit with a sequin midi skirt. The knit keeps it office-friendly.
For men:
- Dark trousers, a merino roll-neck and a velvet or wool blazer.
- A navy suit with an open-collar shirt and no tie.
- Dark chinos, a burgundy knit and leather boots.
Avoid anything you'd have to keep adjusting, or anything you'd regret seeing in the office photos next January.
What should I wear to a Christmas dinner or house party?
You'll be sitting down and probably eating a lot, so choose comfort and go easy on tight waistbands.
- Satin skirt with a chunky knit: a soft, easy combination with boots or flats.
- Wrap dress in a deep colour: it's easy to wear and adjusts as the evening goes on.
- Wide-leg trousers with a silky top: the top does the festive work.
- Corduroy trousers with a roll-neck: a warm, relaxed option for men.
- Knit polo in forest green with dark trousers: smart enough for dinner without a jacket.
What should I wear for a Christmas night out?
This is the time to go bolder.
- Sequin or metallic dress with simple heels and little jewellery.
- Satin slip dress with a blazer or faux-fur jacket and tights.
- Sequin top with tailored black trousers, if you'd rather not wear a dress.
- Dark suit with a black roll-neck, or a velvet jacket with black trousers.
Which colours and fabrics feel festive?
- Colours: burgundy, forest green, midnight blue, gold, silver and classic black. Red works too, and it's easier to wear in a darker shade.
- Fabrics: velvet, satin, sequins, lurex, soft wool and fine knits.
- Balance: keep one shiny or heavily decorated piece per outfit and pair it with something matte. Sequins with a soft knit look more modern than sequins with satin.
For help with the combinations, read how to choose colours that go together.
What about a Christmas jumper party?
If the invitation asks for a Christmas jumper, wear one. Pair it with dark jeans or a satin skirt so the rest of the outfit stays simple, and layer a thin top under it, because party rooms get warm.
How do I stay warm in a party outfit?
Add warm tights or a thin thermal layer under trousers, wear boots to travel and bring your party shoes in a bag, and choose a coat that works over the outfit. A long dark coat goes over almost everything. There's more on this in our guide to how to layer clothes.
How can I make an old outfit feel new?
- Swap the shoes. Metallic flats or a shiny boot change the whole look.
- Change the layer. Put a blazer over a dress or a knit over a slip dress.
- Add one piece. A statement earring, satin scarf or small sparkly bag is cheaper than a new outfit.
To plan it in Flamingo, photograph your clothes once, choose party as the occasion in the outfit generator, and Flamingo styles a look from your own closet. If you've seen something in a shop, screenshot it and try it on your twin, a free AI avatar of you, with your own shoes and layers. A try-on is an AI image, so it's good for colour and proportion; check the shop's size guide for fit. And learn how to avoid sending things back if you're buying online during the sales.
Get Flamingo on iPhone or Android, or use it at app.tryflamingo.app. Your closet and your twin are free; try-ons come with Flamingo Pro.