particularly once the formalities are
over and you’re holding court on the
dance floor. Likewise, the Christmas
barbecue doesn’t have to be a thongs-only
affair. Throw a party dress over torn jeans
or team your T-shirt with tulle – just stay
away from the grill and you’ll be smoking
hot for all the right reasons.
It used to be that once party season
rolled around and the invitation pinged in
your inbox, you’d spend weeks fretting
about what to wear before grabbing
something that maybe you didn’t absolutely
die over but it was your size, it was
“appropriate”, it delivered in 24 hours and
it worked with your fallback Jimmy Choos.
No judgement. Several ELLE staffers have
been known to dial up a designer in search
of a dress for an industry gig that night –
and we do this stuff for a living! But as Coco
Chanel said, “Fashion has two purposes:
comfort and love.” You’re not goi ng to find
either on your lunchbreak.The lesson: you don’t need the invitation
to justify the purchase. If you see an
incredible piece that seems conjured from
your dreams and it’s embellished and it
gives off the impression you could earn
extra money on the side as Rihanna’s
body double, buy it. If it makes you feel
invincible, you’ll find a place to wear it.
Dolce & Gabbana’s raspberry sequins?
Team them with your new Gazelles and
trip along to your girl’s night out. Anthony
Vaccarello’s thigh-splitting florals? Throw
on a bomber and boots and head up to
your rooftop for sunset ciders. Giambattista
Valli’s Edwardian puff sleeves? A slice of
I’ve-been-at-the-gym-since-January midriff
and a scarlet-red heel and you’re ringing
in the new year.
Note: parties, for one or 100, are meant to
be spent having inordinate amounts of fun –
not adjusting hemlines or sitting because you
can’t stand (or standing because you can’t
sit) or not breathing for fear you’ll pop (or
pop out of) something. The only thing you
should be popping is the cork of a champagne
bottle. Because December is for hugging
friends and hailing taxis and clinking
glasses and dancing till lights on. And that
requires fantastical fashion that’s up to the
task... for weddings, parties, anything. qEarrings,
$7,850, Bulgari,
(02) 9233 3611TREND
50 ELLE AUSTRALIA
Words: Genevra Leek. Photography: Sevak Babakhani (still-life); Jason Lloyd-Evans; Sonny Vandevelde. Styling: Emma KalfusDOLCE & GABBANAANTHONY VACCARELLOSkirt, $990, Aje,
a-j-e.com.auEarrings, $599, Atelier
Swarovski By Rosie
Assoulin, swarovski.comDress, $320,
Alice McCall,
alicemccall.comJeans, $350, Sass & Bide,
sassandbide.comSequinned top, $76,
Asos, asos.com/auT-shirt, $20, Topshop,
(02) 8072 9300Bow tie, $568, Gucci,
matchesfashion.comBURBERRY