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Christmas party fashion rules: smart, glam, and forward thinking

If you tailor your outfit to the theme of the occasion you’ll have fun in great comfort as well as style

Some of us love the chance to dress up for a Christmas party but it’s important to consider the company dress code and the kind of event that’s been organised. “Don’t get dressed up to the nines if it’s going to be a low-key affair,” advises Green Light Events co-founder Róisín Callaghan.

Remember that it is a work do and that you will need to factor professional-attire thinking into your outfit choices . Too much skin on show can be a mistake and you can’t come in a ra-ra skirt and expect people to take you seriously. You should feel comfortable and not wear high heels for the sake of it or you could end up sitting in a corner with pinched feet.

Stylist Niamh O’Rourke of Chalk Creative says the options include going “for full-on sparkle” or mixing it up for “a more relaxed kind of glamour” with super luxe sportswear, such as teaming Joanne Hynes new Dunnes collection, which features neoprene, with designer trainers from Valentino.

Grooming is essential to make you look smart. Get your hair and any facial hair cut and trimmed for the big night out.

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Sparkle in festive Carrie courts by Buffalo, €128 at Arnotts, or look fashion forward and be able to stand all night in luxe trainers, €680, by Valentino (see pictures above).

Dress from the outside in. The coat you wear should work with what’s underneath and should be warm enough to keep December chills at bay.

Take your look from desk to dinner with some smart accessorising, starting with statement Rosantica earrings, €200 at Brown Thomas, and after-dark make-up using a Lancôme maxi-palette, €51 at Arnotts.

Alanna Gallagher

Alanna Gallagher

Alanna Gallagher is a property journalist with The Irish Times