‘tis the season to be jolie

…no, i’m not talking about angelina, but the french word for pretty. the holidays are coming up and for most of us that means office parties and the annual what-to-wear dilemma. so, what to do?

last year, my work’s holiday party was pretty fancy, and everyone really dressed up for the occasion. i wore a strapless dress which, while being stylish, was not the most practical for salsa dancing with my boyfriend. this year i have a much more suitable dress, which i found in a charity shop in edinburgh during the summer.

so now that my own outfit is sorted, i felt i could spare some time to help others figure out theirs. and for those of you who don’t like dresses, fear not! there’s something here for you, too (just skip to the end). oh, and for a couple of the items, i could only find the uk price (marked with an asterisk), but it should give you a rough idea.

there are several good places to go dress shopping in dublin, but i’d definitely recommend starting on henry street. the ilac centre houses both zara and river island, which offer some stylish but affordable party dresses:

the perfect lbd. zara, 49.95 EUR

an edgy take on the one-shouldered dress. river island, £39.99*

and now for some sparkles. Head across the street into arnotts, where mango have a great selection of metallics to make you shine.

stand out in this gold lurex jacquard number. mango, €89.99

casual mixed with classy, this wrap dress is perfect for the dance floor. mango, €59.90

more one shoulder wonders. mango, €139.

parties are meant to be fun, so why not enjoy yourself and indulge in your silly side, with these fun dresses, also from mango:

flirtatious frills for that 20s vibe. mango, €69.90

ruffle your party feathers in this flamingo frock! mango, €159

or maybe you’re more of a cat person? meow! mango, €49.90

if you don’t have the pins for a mini or want something more regal, try these elegant gowns:

release your inner goddess with this divine green empire design. mango, €269

another heavenly piece. mango, €89.90

rock the red carpet with this stunning lace number. mango, €99.90

now, we’ve all been to a party and seen the queen of all morto situations: two girls wearing the same thing. so, if you want something a little special, a little different, try debenhams for some more exclusive pieces:

feel like a queen in this royal blue satin wonder. pearce fonda at debenhams, £150*

shine in white and silver. fallen star, much? star by julien macdonald at debenhams, £350*

this handkerchief dress is perfect for pear shaped bodies, accentuating all the right places! jacques vert at debenhams, £199*

the perfect mix of feminine and edgy. phase eight at debenhams, £75.00*

keep it simple with this elegant chiffon gown. début at debenhams, £125*

if you want something totally unique, why not check out your local charity shops? for both my high school prom and this year’s holiday party, i found my dress at a charity shop for less than €15. it’s like having your own bespoke piece, and you can guarantee that nobody will have the same outfit as you!

and finally, as promised, some non-dress options.

this beautiful corsage top could be paired with smart trousers for fuller figures. river island, £39.99*

feel oh so sexy in this 70s-style chiffon blouse. mango, €69.90

dare to be different in this sharp jumpsuit. zara, €39.95

pair some statement leggings with a simple blazer and you’re set! zara, €25.95

velvety trousers add instant glamour to the simplest of outfits. mango, €39.90

so there you have it. holiday parties don’t have to be a big drama! there’s something for everyone, no matter your size, style, or budget. as for accessories, make sure they balance out with your outfit. if you’re opting for a simple dress or plain separates, match up with bold accessories or dramatic makeup. similarly, if your outfit is a bit crazy, you may not need accessories at all!

the most important thing at a holiday party is to feel great. there’s a saying that when you look good, you feel good, but people forget that it goes the other way too. if you feel great, and you’re having fun, then you’ll look amazing. so enjoy yourselves!