Christmas is a time to let loose and really enjoy fashion, especially at the annual office party. No matter your shape or size, there are some fantastic options out there for Christmas party wear – so take the plunge and go all out this party season with bright and festive party dresses that will flatter and enhance your shape.
The simple shift dress
While they might not have much shape on the hanger, shift dresses are guaranteed to skim over the body in a way that’s both flattering and comfortable. The magic of this style is that it can be found in virtually any colour or pattern, meaning that there’s a shift dress out there for just about everyone.
While this black velvet dress from Tu may look plain at first, the opportunities to dress it up and give it a festive edge are endless. Opt for gold jewellery and accessories to compliment the zip fastening at the back of the dress and complete the look with a sparkly clutch bag – perfect for keeping all of your party essentials close at hand. The scoop neckline has the added benefit of opening up the neck area, broadening the shoulders and creating a balance for those with a narrower top half.
That’s a wrap
Wrap dresses have the benefit of being semi-fitted and tend to fall in a way that softly follows the curves of the body. The extra detail around the midriff works to distract the eye when it lands on that area, which is why this style is so popular with women keen to focus attention on other parts of the body.
The likes of Kate Middleton and Tyra Banks have helped catapult the classic wrap dress to the top of the pile for women of all shapes and sizes. Opt for a style that ties to the side and team with a structured blazer to give the illusion of a svelte waistline.
Make the best use of colour
Pattern and colour can be just as important as style when you’re choosing a dress to suit your shape. Colour blocking is a big trend at the moment and involves making a bold statement by pairing two contrasting shades together in solid blocks. It’s a look that works particularly well for curvy body shapes, especially if the change in colour happens right at the waist.
No matter what shade you choose, solid colours are great and make the most of playing around with the look using jewellery and accessories.
Try something different with a jumpsuit
Another option is to ditch the dress altogether and opt for a stylish jumpsuit instead. Not only do they have the benefit of being extra comfortable, but the wide range of colours and styles available ensures that there’s an option to suit practically any shape. Opt for a sleeveless number if you dare, or layer a classic turtleneck underneath if you’d rather keep your top half a little more covered.
Many jumpsuits are cinched in at the waist, creating the allusion of a classic hourglass shape with minimum effort. Finish the look with a pair of heels or ankle boots to give the whole outfit a feminine edge.
