Surprise! I know I said there wouldn’t be a post today but I was sent a request by somebody who has a jumpsuit but feels she has worn it too often recently so I’ve put together a couple of alternatives which of course, I now want to buy. In each set I’ve created an option for a more casual Christmas Day / Boxing Day drinks look along with a full on party look. In the same way that dressing for work is becoming less formulaic, so I believe, is dressing for parties. It struck me when I was out with friends for a drink the other night that this might be a reaction to the fact that girls seem to dress up in a skimpy cocktail outfit for a normal Saturday night in the pub so the sophisticated approach tends to be leaning either towards more unstructured column dresses or jumpsuits and trousers – all with heels of course. Sadly for me, column dresses don’t work. At 5ft 8 and with broad shoulders I look like a drag queen so I’ll leave those features to other bloggers and focus on the trouser option. The great thing about trousers of course is that you can dress them down and still look sassy when you’re lounging on the sofa on New Year’s Day so on a cost per wear basis they’re great value. Here’s look numbers one and two, based on fabulous glitter pants – don’t say you can’t, you can!.


Smith Canova leather purse – fantastic value as part of the John Lewis 150 year design collaboration. Even if you only buy this it will update outfits you already have.



Black leather purse, another gorgeous quality bag at a great price to complete the outfit









