Broke or Be-spoke for Your Christmas Party Look?

A recent edition of The Sunday Times contained several glossy brochures which, with a perfectly straight face, were suggesting a range of ‘must have’ Christmas presents costing in the £00s and £000s. How lovely to be able to spend around £100 on an exquisite silk scarf from Liberty’s  – examples to the right - as a ‘stocking filler’……!

Broke or Be-spoke?
Few of us have the luxury of putting together a Christmas outfit of designer pieces with 'money no object', so I thought I'd see if it's possible to come up with something similar to a really expensive designer look, using items from the High St.

Red lace is a great festive choice, and a simple fitted shift style works best with a dramatic fabric. You could accessorize your dress with plain but bold shoes in gold, a statement gold cuff, and fabulous drop ruby earrings. Complete the outfit with an elegant black clutch with a gold fastening.

  

Firstly, here's a lovely designer version of the outfit which will set you back a rather eyewatering £4,515 until you add in the ruby earrings which puts another £23,000 onto the cost.....You really wouldn't want to lose one of those!

The Luxury version: Dolce & Gabbana Sleeveless Lace Dress £1,115  

Alice Menter Gold Plated Ruby Cuff £185   

Chanel Vintage Small Quilted Bag £2,730 

Jimmy Choo Metallic Leather 120 Peep Toe Shoes £485 Pintaldi Maurizio Ruby and Diamond Pendant Earrings £23,000

But don't despair ladies, because you can look pretty stunning for a fraction of that cost!

The cheap and cheerful equivalent of this Christmas party outfit is a mere £122.05..... 

Dorothy Perkins Red lace print lampshade dress £39.50  

Miss SelfridgeShiny Rose Gold Court Shoes £20 (sale) 

Asos Revive Superhero Double Cuffs £19 (sale) 

Oasis Leather and Suede Clutch Bag £38 

SONOMA Gold Tone Filigree Cabochon Disc Drop Earrings £5.55 (sale) 

Of course I might have done without a vintage Chanel clutch bag and ruby/diamond earrings for my designer look which did rather push the cost through the roof, but you get the drift! 

Or, if you prefer your red lace dress with sleeves to keep your arms covered, what about this? Gok Wan comes up trumps for Tu at Sainsburys again.Red Lace Shift Dress by GOK £37.50

You can look fabulous without spending a fortune - especially when you know what suits you!
If you'd like to start 2013 with a real boost for your image, then do get in touch to discuss a personal consultation.
Wishing you a very Happy Christmas season,
Best Wishes
Cass