Can't ignore the elephant in the room any longer

That is the Christmas party.  There must be sequins.  Or something else fancy.  And I sort of feel that it has to be a dress.  I don't know why but there is something about a Christmas special outfit that screams Dress. And if we're going special, we may as well go all out special.  Everyone has room in their wardrobe for that dress with a little bit extra.  Be it sequins, embellishment, embroidery - a dress that you wouldn't wear to the pub but would be perfect for a Party.  With a capital P.  New Year's Eve, big birthday party, Christmas drinks with nibbles and full on Dad Disco dancing.

A dress that unashamedly you won't get a huge amount of wear out of, which clearly goes against the grain of what I usually bang on about.  But, having said that, I have a sequin All Saints dress that I bought three years ago now and I reckon I've worn it 7 or 8 times.  And it's not had its day yet.  It was horribly expensive for a dress which had one trip pony written all over it (£250) but with my beloved Cost Per Wear analogy, actually, it really has been worth it.  Think of these as investment purchases.  

And clearly I have hit onto something as pretty much 80% of those which I've looked at have sold out in most sizes.  Ladies clearly love a proper party dress.

There are of course still some gems out there.  I have just had an invite to another lovely Christmas Party which I clearly have interpreted as "need another outfit".  I know I said that I was all sorted for Christmas outfits (you didn't actually believe me, did you?) and I shall indeed see if I can find something lurking at the back of my wardrobe (yeah right).  However, like I mentioned on another blog, it is prudent to just have a look at what is out there "just in case".   Seeing as so much is limited stock, lots of other people have obviously had the same idea. 

Black Beaded Shift Dress - £100 from River Island

Reiss Lavine Flower Bodycon Dress £169  This I come back to, time and time again. I haven't gone so far as to trying it on but I just love it.  There actually aren't many dresses that I completely fall in love with but this one has something special for me.  Top of the list so far.   It is dressy dressy and would cover all Party options I could think of bar black tie (and I only go to one of those every 3 years, if that) but as it's a stretchy fabric it takes the edge of super formal and I'd definitely wear it out to dinner. 

Whistles Naomi Sequin Dress £250  Just exquisite.  The ultimate sequin dress. 




Fenn Wright Manson Carolina Dress £250  I love the detailing of this - super flattering with the ribbon detail and the hint of sparkle in the dull bronze sequins.

Mint Velvet Embroidered BodyCon dress £149   A very sexy little number.  Mint Velvet are on fire with their dresses this season. 






If just a touch of glitz is your thing then this is the dress for you. Hides a multitude of sins, super flattering in black with just a hint of embellishment round the neckline.  The other detailing is in the beautiful pleating and the swing of the dress. 

Coast Noelle Dress £95






Cranking the embellishment up a notch here around the neckline in a festive purple. 

Coast Willow Dress £145




I adore this dress - a complete show stopper. 

Phase Eight Black Tapework Dress £195






This dress is one of the most fabulous sequin dresses I've seen in years.  Perhaps ever.  Full on glitz but with a level of subtlety that oozes class.  Not surprised it's unfortunately sold out in a few sizes. 

Somerset by Alice Temperley £249






Can't do a Christmas Dress blog without at least including something red. Now I know I've done a lace thread already but as I was mainly focussing on dark colours, this one which is so much more va va voom, deserves it place amongst the super dressy dresses. 

Fenn Wright Manson Phoebe Dress in Pillarbox Red £150






Now as much as I do advocate an investment dress, there are some bargains to be had.  No need for any other detailing here.  Just add a small pair of diamond studs and you're off.   I'm going to ignore the fact that has anything to do with Kelly Brook.  It can be our little secret.  Spanx a go go would probably be needed here.  My recommendation as per last year is the long (ie past bum) length spanx style slip which goes under the bra so you can wear your own bra, from Sainsburys.  £12.  Can't add link as woefully they have no online ordering capacity.  Get with the programme Sainsburys.

Kelly Brook Black Embellished Shoulder long sleeve midi dress - £39.99





I've realised that this is turning into the longest blog ever and I have so many more still to explore.  I'm not going to lie - the more "Out of Stock" signs I see, the more I am starting to panic about not being able to get something (not that I need anything of course.... ahem ahem).  All in the purposes of research only.  Perhaps....

Finishing with my outfits from the last couple of days. (this one is actually from earlier in the week - forgot to put it up yesterday) 

First one is random Car Park Chic.  Or perhaps not.  To cut a long story (not so) short, I had in my infinite wisdom decided to pop quickly to the supermarket after school with all three kids.  Which was torture.  It had also started absolutely pouring with rain.  And had got dark very early. (exactly how long we were in the supermarket I dread to think as I still have my sunnies on - no wonder it went so wrong)  So as the car park was almost empty, I got the 9 year old to do her best papping.  Which meant that the 5 year old had a spare 30 seconds to shut the 7 year old's foot in the car door.  Which meant hysterical crying and the onslaught of total pandemonium. 

I managed to get them all into the car, drive off, look in my rear view window and think, "which utter moron leaves a full shopping trolley just sat in the carpark".....

...... and then drive round the car park to go and pick my shopping up. 

Suffice to say, I won't be taking my kids to the supermarket en masse for the next 6 months. After that the pain has subsided, I forget, take them and we have a repeat of the above.  Cue another 6 months respite.  Just me?

Black vest - Primark

Cream knitted sweatshirt - Zara

Real Straight jeans - Gap

Leopard print house - Louis Vuitton

Camel Coat - Zara

Black Diego bag - Alexander Wang

Black Jetstream wedge trainers - Russell & Bromley

Yesterday during the day 

 

White l/s tee shirt - TopShop

Breton jumper - Zara

Navy peacoat - Zara

Straight leg jeans rolled up - Earl

Clay Thelmas - Ash

Hot Air balloon scarf - Lily & Lionel

Stone maxi zip satchel - Anya Hindmarch

And last night, out for dinner with friends.  Blowing my own trumpet here but I am just more than a little bit in love with this outfit.  Absolutely adore it.  It's so not what I would normally wear - the looseness, the lightness of it, the frilliness of it.  But I think it works. 

Silk blouse - Isabel Marant

Silk skirt - Isabel Marant 

Black 120 denier tights - TopShop

Margo boots - Sam Edelman

Black clutch bag - Tori Burch 

Tan leather cuff - Mulberry 

Gold fretwork earrings - Etsy

Off to do some more dress research and continue with my all things mannish.  Haven't covered feet yet..... Have a great weekend everyone.  I am going to subject myself to Dr Who tonight for the first time in forever.  The music still gives me the creeps (which, at 40 surpasses pathetic) but I'm going to plough on for the sake of the children.