Shopping: Cosy up: winter coats and accessories

It’s time to get glam – party season is here. It all starts with Christmas work parties, filters out with present exchanging over drinks with friends and ends with New Year celebrations. Luckily Churchill Square is full of sparkle for him and for her but there are a few fashion commandments to keep in mind first…

River Island Velvet Jacket, £110

Thou shalt not dress head to toe in glitter.
Glitter is great, a personal favourite of mine anytime of year but add just a touch somewhere in your look – you don’t want to resemble a bauble or the Christmas Trees they hang from. Either choose one statement piece like a sparkly sweater or shoes, or introduce shimmer with makeup, a belt, or for the gents a sparkling tie, a two-tone shimmering blazer or a jazzy velvet jacket which is a key fabric this season. Sparkle doesn’t have to mean in your face, but it is definitely fun.

It is tempting to go skimpy for party season and why not?

Thou shalt not dress inappropriately for the weather.
It is tempting to go skimpy for party season and why not? BUT please don’t forget that it is zero degrees out there and that backless floor length number may look better without a coat, but you won’t later on when you’re waiting for a taxi outside. Instead, make the essentials that keep you warm part of your entire look. Coats, capes, blanket wraps and blazers are all available with a touch of sparkle, metallic thread, bold colours and glamourous faux fur collars – all details that vamp it up. Miss Selfridge, Warehouse, Pull & Bear and River Island have some must-have ‘details’ in. For men, suits never fail to impress – just have more fun with your shirt and shoes by picking ones with a bold print.
Thou shalt not banish sparkle to the daytime only.

Next Sequin Sweater, £46

This is your chance to shine day and night and is the perfect way to take you from office to party. Don’t keep the sequins just for parties – choose a sequin sweater and play it down with jeans and high tops. Next has some amazing ones in, including matte sequins that offer more ‘grown up glitter’. Jumpers with metallic thread are also an option, TOPSHOP and River Island are brimming. Glimmering diamante touches on everyday practical items such as beanie hats and belts are another great way to add a glow, and the latter works for guys too.

Images: Next Sequin Sweater, £46. River Island Velvet Jacket, £110.

Bethanie Lunn is Churchill Square’s Style Ambassador – blogging regularly at www.churchillsquare.com, hosting events and now offering Personal Shopping services. Check out the website to view all the budget-friendly packages, starting at just £20.