Sorry, but if you’re over 50, sequins are a ‘no’! How to Dress Like an Adult with SHANE WATSON

Let’s be honest and admit it: it’s fun being asked to parties in the run-up to Christmas, but not so fun figuring out what to wear for them.

There are two considerations when it comes to dressing for a party this time of year, and they are opposite sides of the same coin: on the one hand, you need to look extra festive and add the glitter factor; on the other hand, you don’t want to look too Christmasy.

You really don’t want to buy something that might as well say ‘Two Weeks In December Only’ on it. That’s a waste of money and you won’t feel comfortable doing it.

For starters, I’d say give sequins a way out. Even though they’re a classic at Christmas parties, sequins are high on the list of things that can make over-50s look sloppy on an ‘occasion dress’.

They are also surprisingly hot to wear. If I had a pound for every time I’ve heard someone in a sequined dress mutter, “Why don’t they tell you how hot these things are?!” I would have about €20. The same goes for velour. Absolutely boiling; no idea when to wear it.

Velvet: Olivia Palermo wears a lace camisole under a dark green velvet jacket

Anyway, the modern way to wear metallics, sequins and anything that shimmers in the light is during the day, below the waist, with a soft sweater and boots – not so much with a heel, big earrings and a hairdryer. .

So, how can you get the necessary glow without going the sparkly clothing route? The answer is gloss, not shine. Clothing with a subtle sheen and sheen that adds that extra festive magic without resorting to Strictly sequins.

It also means you’ll be wearing them in March.

At the top of the list is velvet, starting with a jacket, the hardest-working of all velvets, which you can wear with mismatched pants or as part of a suit.

Either works, as long as you choose a color that isn’t black. There’s so much to choose from at the moment: Marks & Spencer has some good tailored one-button jackets (£79, marksandspencer.com); Boden does them in navy blue or bottle green (£170, boden.co.uk) and my favorite – it has the best sharp shoulders – is Mangoes in Papal Purple (£89.99, in store).

For glossy colors you can’t beat NRBY. There are jackets in bright pink or shiny peacock blue or a surprisingly attractive blue animal print (€260, nrby Clothing.com) and there are matching trousers in palazzo style (€160).

If you’re expecting a warm, busy room, a velvet jacket worn over a sleeveless top with lace trim (lace is on the sheen spectrum) works well. M&S makes V-neck lace trim cami tops that fit just right (£22.50) or & Other Stories makes a lace detail top (£65, stories.com).

If you’re going for shine and not shine, every element of your outfit should have a certain shine; plain jersey or cotton will mute the effect.

Lady in red: Celine Dion combines wide-leg satin trousers, a velvet blazer and matching heels

Velvet trousers plus a satin top is the other cool alternative (on both counts): M&S has a good satin shirt in dark magenta or bitter chocolate (€29.50), both of which would look good with navy blue or dark green.

Please note that your blouse or top does not have to be Christmas red or gold. In fact, I would avoid red for the next few weeks and go for a color that matches your eyes.

The other option is a flowing silky velvet dress, and in this case something very simple, in black, is the best answer, allowing you to turn the glamor up to nine with blingy earrings and dainty heels; or keep it for drinks at the office 6.5, with boots and belt.

M&S has a black tea dress with V-neck and some light pleats at the waist that can be worn both chic and casual (€ 45), or even more festive is the midi dress with a slit neckline, long puff sleeves and elastic pleats at the bottom. the waist (£89).

For something a little more luxurious, Cefinn has a selection in good, bold colours, including a flowing velvet maxi dress (actually ankle-length) in black or emerald green (£340, cefinn.com).

Otherwise, a plain velvet jumpsuit has the same capabilities, especially one with a zipper that you can lower and a belt that you can tie.

Once again M&S convinces with a good velvet jumpsuit with silk to give it extra shine (£119). Just add black suede or silver sandals.