It’s officially party season, with after-work drinks, Christmas dos and social gatherings filling up the festive calendar.
But if you’re worrying about what to wear, a glitzy dress from Next has been billed the outfit that can be worn multiple ways – without anyone noticing.
Susie Hasler, 36, from East Grinstead, who runs Styled By Susie, says the glittery gown, which is a bargain at just £40, can be dressed up or down depending on the event.
Here, the stylist, who specialises in styling women on a budget, reveals how to wear the dress five ways – from a girls’ night out, or black tie do, to a more relaxed affair on Christmas Day.
A glitzy dress from Next has been billed the outfit that can be worn multiple ways. Susie Hasler, 36, from East Grinstead, who runs Styled By Susie, reveals how to fashion the dress for five different occasions
LOOK ONE: CLIENT DRINKS
Look one: Heading for some client drinks? Pair the stylish, shimmering dress with a black blazer and some modest heels to ensure you’re both glamorous and formal
Team the shimmering wrap frock with:
- Reiss Tansey black cropped collarless blazer – £195
- Aldo Aleavia snakeskin print shoes – £70
- New Look hanging star earrings – £5.99
- Aldo Unelillan snakeskin print bag – £23.98
Susie explained: ‘When taking clients out it’s important to dress formally, while still adding a touch of glamour to the occasion.
‘A boring black suit just won’t cut it! Adding a blazer and modest heels makes the dress look more formal.
‘Keep your makeup understated with a smokey eye, straight, polished locks and add an understated, yet noticeable earring.’
Makeup artist David Hynes added: ‘There is no age restriction to a smokey eye – you just need to know which smokey eye suits you.
‘Anybody can wear it at any age. For this look, it was a subtle smokey eye, with bronze-gold on the cheek and a warm natural lip.’
Hairdresser Joe Jones said: ‘I went for a sleek smooth look which is the perfect day to night style. Straight hair is in at the moment, it’s the perfect way to add a touch of glamour to an evening look.’
LOOK TWO: OFFICE TO EVENING
Look two: When enjoying an evening out straight after work, downplay the dazzling frock with a roll neck jumper – instead of a shapeless cardigan
Pair the sparkle jersey wrap dress with:
- Next lofty roll neck jumper – £28
- Topshop snake crystal earrings – £12.50
- Next sparkly box clutch bag – £26
- Next black Forever Comfort platform shoe boots – £46
Susie commented: ‘A roll neck jumper over the top of a dress is a great way of layering, without chucking a shapeless cardigan over the top.
‘The messy bun and shoe boot keep the look informal, while the glitzy accessories can be quickly added at the office before you leave for drinks. Wear with black tights.’
David added: ‘The trick for desk to dinner makeup is to keep it simple and use as few products as possible.
‘Freshen up the skin with luminous foundation, use lipstick as your blusher, brush your brows and apply more mascara.’
Joe said: ‘By putting a hair into a ponytail and then twisting the hair around the hairline in it gives a soft edge to a more natural-looking bun.’
LOOK THREE: CHRISTMAS DAY
Look three: Take your sparkly dress to a more rock chick look for Christmas Day by pairing it with a leather biker jacket and heeled ankle boots
Add to your wrap dress look with:
- Topshop black faux leather biker’s jacket – £49
- Hush disco jumper – £79
- Hush Roselina lightning necklace – £36
- New Look black metal trimmed heel ankle boots – £22.49
Susie commented: ‘This takes your sparkly dress to a more rock chick look for Christmas Day itself.
‘Layer the jumper over the top of the dress and you can then take it off if you get warmer after the mulled wine kicks in!
‘The biker jacket adds another cosy layer in case you go for a post-lunch walk, and the red lip adds a slick of glamour and colour. Wear with black tights.’
David said: ‘Kept it fun and festive on Christmas Day with a bright red lip. Make the most of your twinkling Christmas lights but adding highlighter on the high points of your face.’
Joe explained: ‘This is a simple but effective look. The hack to a great-looking bun is to tie the hair back into a ponytail, and then twist the hair around, wrapping it into a bun. Then use Kirby grips to hold in place.’
LOOK FOUR: GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT
Look four: Get ready for a night out on the town by teaming your wrap frock with big, statement earrings and a glamorous smattering of makeup
Get ready for a night out on the town by teaming your wrap frock with:
- Hush Jackson clutch bag – £29
- Reiss Hayden velvet cross front sandals – £150
- River Island gold fringe hoop earrings – £12
Susie said: ‘There’s no such thing as getting too dressed up for a night out with the girls.
‘Flashes of pink add sexiness and femininity. Keep the hair loose and tousled, with big earrings which will be noticeable in all the selfies you’ll be taking with your friends!’
David commented: ‘Smoke up the eyes in half the time by using a liner all over the lid. And then pat some metallic shadow on the top for a simple but striking smokey eye. Team that with a fun poppy lipstick for the perfect night out.’
Joe explained: ‘Using a straightening iron, pick up sections of the hair then half-way down, twist the straighteners. This will allow the root and the ends to stay straighter but give you an effective tousled look.’
LOOK FIVE: BLACK TIE
Look five: Black tie doesn’t have to mean a long black dress anymore. The faux fur cropped jacket is a cosy layer, while still adding glamour
Pair the sparkle jersey wrap dress with:
- Grey cropped faux fur coat – £69
- Topshop silver skinny two-part shoes – £29
- Silver diamonte slouch shoulder bag – £29
Susie said: ‘Black tie doesn’t have to mean a long black dress anymore.
‘As long as the dress and accessories speak volumes, you can go for shorter hemlines. The faux fur cropped jacket is a cosy layer, while still adding glamour.
‘The pink lip adds a much needed pop of colour. Wear your hair down with loose waves.’
David explained: ‘Don’t be fooled in thinking black tie means more. If you look at any celebrity on the red carpet less is more. Pick a feature and show it off.’
Joe commented: ‘To perfect this look, I curled Helen’s hair with a tong, and then used a shine spray, spraying it all over, then brushing through gives a nice gloss and it’s lighter than a serum. It’s perfect for a black tie event.’
Susie teamed up with hairdresser Joe Jones and makeup artist David Hynes to style nutritionist Helen Moynihan from Venus Nutrition at Blacks private members club in Soho, London.