Casual but festive outfit ideas for Christmas drinks

[longlostauthor]

I’m going to my old work’s Christmas drinks in a few weeks and really want to wear something that looks nicer than I’d usually wear without looking like I’ve gone amd bought a special Christmas outfit (if that makes sense). I am completely lost for inspiration. I live in black clothes, mainly gym leggings, baggy top and huge puffer gilet. Have decent legs, dislike my stomach and arms and don’t like cleavage on display.

my usual skinny jeans and boots with a baggy top looks really dated when I tried it on recently. I don’t want to look and feel frumpy.

any ideas please?! I’m late thirties and a size 8/10. Budget of around £150.

What about a leather short skirt and boots with a nice blouse tucked in that covers your arms.
Or your skinnies with a slightly more fitted top and add a nice blazer to smarten it up.

This is so gorgeous …

https://www.zara.com/uk/en/steven-meisel-suede-skirt-p05811303.html?v1=274432019&v2=2291246

But otherwise any good real leather mini skirt would be great. Easy to wear with pretty much anything, dressed up or down.

Boot cut jeans, metallic ankle boots.

Couple of ideas for tops below. Leather skirt is a really good idea too.

https://www.sugarhillbrighton.com/products/marcella-v-neck-jumper-black-sparkle-cuffs?variant=40773539463222&currency=gbp&gclid=CjwKCAiAu9yqBhBmEiwAHTx5p5af5nedPmnZ8T8mU9Wh5Q9l-K2wK_4gXYhxeU-py_qj1W8Xo0ITHxoCJKEQAvD_BwE

Bit more trendy - I find these tops just sit on my waist with jeans or a leather skirt, I don't wear them with low rise tiny skirts though!

https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/en-gb/shop/basic-pleasure-mode-kansas-sequin-tank-top2?category=SEARCHRESULTS&color=000&searchparams=q%3Dbasic%2520pleasure%2520mode&type=REGULAR&quantity=1

https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/en-gb/shop/basic-pleasure-mode-runaways-long-sleeve-top?color=000&recommendation=pdp-primary-sfrectray-rectraysimilar&type=REGULAR&quantity=1

https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/en-gb/shop/uo-off-the-shoulder-cupro-long-sleeve-top?category=SEARCHRESULTS&color=060&searchparams=q%3Dred%2520top&type=REGULAR&quantity=1

thank you so much

This, also available in black, with wide leg trousers? https://www.stories.com/en_gbp/clothing/tops/tops-t-shirts/product.puff-sleeve-velvet-top-beige.1194391002.html

or

https://www.stories.com/en_gbp/clothing/tops/tops-t-shirts/product.sheer-ruffled-mesh-top-black.1196441001.html

https://www.stories.com/en_gbp/clothing/dresses/mini-dresses/product.sequin-embroidered-mini-dress-black.1212044001.html

Out of these I like the Zara skirt and 1st &otherstories top and dress.

The Urban Outfitters tops look vile and not great if you dislike your stomach.

Silver leather trousers?

The Sugarhill Boutique top is nice because you can wear with other things.

Love the idea of silver leather trousers. If they were skinny surely I could get away with a baggier black top/ jumper and black boots maybe?

Marks and Spencer do some skinny fit silver jeans
https://www.marksandspencer.com/ivy-coated-high-waisted-skinny-jeans/p/clp60627221?color=SILVER&prevPage=srp#intid=pid_pg1pip17g4r1c1

I think those silver skinny jeans are great, especially at £32.50.
Or maybe get some pewter or silver ankle boots to wear with black leather or coated jeans?
If you like your legs, a black long sleeve not too mini dress, ankle boots with a duster coat over.
I bought a really versatile long black duster coat from River Island that you could wear over a cami, covers arms etc it's been reduced to £35 in the sale...

Short sleeve jumper, leather skirt and silver or gold ballet flats.

https://www.crewclothing.co.uk/womens/womens-footwear/lara-leather-heeled-boots-grey-wtr017/?sku_s=1279549&glCountry=GB&glCurrency=GBP&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI24Wo_bDNggMV1tTtCh3gtwh1EAQYAyABEgKWpPD_BwE#fo_c=2679&fo_k=f9e53c4657d616f9e2ca3fe18787131d&fo_s=gplauk

I had some pewter grey metallic ankle boots from Oliver Bonas last year, they don’t do them now:-

https://www.riverisland.com/p/silver-leather-western-boots-753743?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADtCgghW1tdSjc1d_1ZLIXkdA_TzP&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI24Wo_bDNggMV1tTtCh3gtwh1EAQYBCABEgIuBvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

The M&S jeans are nice. You could probably easily wear the &other stories top or Sugarhill Boutique top over them.

Black boots are fine. If you think you’ll get wear out of metallic boots then get them.

M&S have an advertising feature on Insta of dressed down sequins - I thought of it as soon as I read your post. Sainsbury's have some metallic ankle boots if they haven't sold btw. Not leather, but comfy.