Here come the girls (From The Argus)

Here come the girls

5:46pm Monday 7th December 2009

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by Emma Laurence

Christmas is all around us, and so the feeling grows… Right? Well, not so much this week if I’m honest. Stinking cold plus revision five years after I thought my exam days were over equals a decided lack of Christmas spirit.

This will also be the first year I do not have an official Christmas party to look forward to, get disgracefully drunk at and then spend the whole of January trying to forget.

That said, it’s not all bah humbug. I do have a number of dinner and drinks things coming up which will require (and, I hope, inspire) a generous dollop of festive feeling and, naturally, a fabulous frock to go with it.

In (more solvent) times gone by I would have headed straight to the Spotlight collection at Warehouse come party season or, failing that, French Connection. This year, though, it’s all about maximising my existing wardrobe and adding just a few little touches to last season’s party pieces to make them zing.

Rising to the challenge, I trotted off to Primark — every girl’s best friend this Christmas — via a quick River Island detour. Thank goodness old habits die hard, because it was there that I spotted this stunning sequined L’Art collection box jacket for just £35 (reduced from £60). Watch out for more top-end reductions in your favourite high street stores — they’re all at it as we feel the pinch yet again this Christmas.

I think I’ve scored a bit of a hat-trick here as my star buy has it all: statement shoulders, sparkling sequins and enough party-packing punch to get even cynical old me in the mood for dancing.

It might seem frivolous, but one focal piece like this is current enough to make last year’s white vest and high-waisted pencil skirt look like new and will work just as well with your skinny jeans. Fun accessories like my £1.50 Primark headband will help break up the facebook photos if you’re going to make your outfit last the whole party season — just don’t wear them all at the same time. When it comes to accessories, ignore Gok Wan… Less is always more.

Finally, add false eyelashes (the bigger the better — they’re easy, trust me) and a light layer of fake-tan (Superdrug’s Velvotan mitt is idiot-proof). You’ll be party-perfect and strutting your stuff to the song from that Boots ad in no time.

Sarah: “The fantastic thing about party fashion is that things have a way of coming back around. If you thought there was no such thing as a free garment, have a rummage in your parents’ wardrobe — you don't know what little treasure you might find. Just don’t forget to ask them first. I adore this fake fur jacket of my Mum’s and know it will be my winter wonder. It goes with everything and I can wear it to keep warm during the day or to glam up an outfit in the evening. I went to a ball on Friday and didn't want to take it off all night, it just made my look.”

Ellie: "I've had this dress for years, I think it was given to me as a present so I'm not too sure where it's from. This will probably be my staple Christmas party outfit as the sequins are bang on trend and perfect for adding a bit of sparkle to your Christmas do, while black tights and shoes let the dress do all the talking. I love this blue faux snakeskin bag (Primark, £6) which gives the whole look a bit more of an edge."

Check out this week’s Street Style for more tips on what to wear over the festive season and happy partying ladies, just don’t do anything we wouldn’t!

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