A matching set always feels like a good idea when an occasion calls for a little more effort. Taffy’s first look makes a particularly good case for it, taking the familiar co-ord and giving it an eveningwear update in rich green satin. The combination of a tie-neck blouse and a ruched midi skirt has a distinctly ‘80s feel, reminiscent of party dressing that feels just as relevant now as it did back then. Rather than relying on embellishment, the appeal is in the fabric and silhouette. The softly gathered skirt adds shape, whilst the neckline gives the blouse enough interest to stand on its own.
T
here’s something about November that makes the prospect of getting dressed up feel exciting again. Perhaps it’s the first glimpse of Christmas lights, the sudden influx of invitations or simply the realisation that, before long, most of our evenings will involve somewhere to be and someone to celebrate with. Whatever it is, party
season is officially upon us, and with it comes the familiar question of what on earth to wear.
For style influencer and friend of Who What Wear, Taffy Msipa, the challenge is finding outfits that feel right for the occasion without making getting ready another thing to stress about. With everything from work celebrations and drinks with friends to more formal evenings out to plan for, having a few reliable looks up her sleeve that can see her through the season is key. After all, the best partywear makes you feel good the moment you put it on and leaves room to have a little fun with your styling.
It’s this approach to festive dressing that makes F&F’s new partywear collection worth a closer look. Bringing together some of the season’s most relevant styles, the collection offers a considered take on occasionwear, with sharp tailoring, statement dresses, satin separates and plenty of interesting finishing touches.
So, Taffy decided to spend some time with the collection and put together three outfits that speak to the many ways we dress up at this time of year. Each look offers a different take on party dressing, with a little inspiration for whatever your festive diary might have in store.
SATIN SET
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£25.00
F&F Satin Pleated V Neck Co-ord
Blouse in Olive
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£22.50
F&F Satin Pleated Co-ord Midi
Skirt in Green
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£18.00
SACHA Sequin Embellished Clutch Bag in Black
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£00.00
M&S Shoes Coming Soon
LOOK 01 / 03
LOOK 02 / 03
LOOK 3 The Velvet Evening
LOOK 2 The After-Hours Dress Code
LOOK 1 The Satin Set
The Looks
THE
BLACK DRESS
THE LITTLE
Some invitations call for a little more than a great pair of trousers and an evening top. For those occasions, I always think it’s worth having a really good dress to fall back on, and Taffy’s final look is exactly the sort of piece I’m referring to.
The little black dress might be one of the most familiar items in our wardrobes, but that doesn’t mean it has to feel predictable. F&F gives the classic silhouette a party-ready update with a long-sleeved velvet minidress, complete with a waist tie and tassel detail. Velvet is a fabric I find myself reaching for more often as the evenings get colder; its rich texture lends itself particularly well to occasionwear, even when the rest of the outfit is relatively simple. The waist detail adds definition, whilst the mini length gives the dress a more modern feel.
TWO PIECE
THE
LOOK 03 / 03
AUTHOR: Humaa Hussain | PHOTOGRAPHY Rebecca Munroe
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F&F Sequin Mini Skirt
in Khaki
Sponsor Content Created with F&F
WE TRY BEFORE YOU BUY:
PARTY SEASON, SORTED
From the office Christmas party to festive dinners, consider this your cheat sheet to dressing for every occasion in your calendar this season, courtesy of F&F
From the office Christmas party to festive dinners, consider this your cheat sheet to dressing for every occasion in your calendar this season, courtesy of F&F.
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£19.50
F&F Velvet High Neck
Mini Dress in Black
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£28.00
SACHA Satin Bow Slingback
Heels in Brown
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£18.00
SACHA Sequin Embellished
Clutch Bag in Gold
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£36.00
M&S Snake Print Colour Block Shoulder Bag
There’s one colour combination I’m particularly keen to wear this season, and it’s brown on brown. Chocolate, espresso and deeper cocoa shades have dominated the autumn/winter runways in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. Browns feel rich without being overly dressy, work beautifully with the textures we’re drawn to at this time of year and offer a softer alternative to the usual black eveningwear.
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£19.50
F&F Satin Co-ord
Top in Brown
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£25.00
F&F Satin Double Pleated Wide Leg Co-ord Trousers in Brown
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£69.50
F&F Faux Fur Coat
in Brown
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£16.00
SACHA Textured Shoulder Bag in Chocolate
'Chartreuse is a huge colour trend this year, and pairing it with brown shoes instead of black makes it feel softer and elevated'
Taffy’s take on the look is a particularly good example of how to make the palette work for party season. There’s something about throwing a statement coat over an otherwise pared-back outfit that makes getting ready for an evening out feel considerably easier. It brings a sense of occasion without requiring too many additional styling tricks, and it’s also a piece you’ll want to keep close as temperatures drop.
The accessories introduce another layer of texture. The black slingbacks combine velvet and mesh, adding contrast to the warmer brown tones, whilst the deep-chocolate cylindrical shoulder bag keeps the palette feeling balanced. This is definitely a look one might wear for an office Christmas party, particularly if your plans involve heading straight from your desk to dinner or drinks.
'Chocolate, espresso and deeper cocoa shades have dominated the autumn/winter runways in recent years, and it’s easy to see why'
'The little black dress might be one of the most familiar items in our wardrobes, but that doesn’t mean it has to feel predictable'
The accessories are what take this one firmly into after-dark territory. Taffy sticks to black with a pair of satin slingbacks, their embellished bows providing just enough sparkle to catch the light. It’s a small detail, but one that makes the shoes feel far more special than a standard evening heel. The gold sequin clutch brings in a final touch of shine, with its chain strap and kiss-clasp fastening echoing the vintage-inspired details in her first outfit. Reserve this combination for a black-tie-optional Christmas dinner, a festive celebration or a New Year’s Eve party where the dress code calls for something fancy.
Chartreuse is a huge colour trend this year, and pairing it with brown shoes instead of black makes it feel softer and elevated. It goes without saying that we love the bow detail on these slingbacks! Then there’s the clutch. Its black sequin finish introduces a little evening sparkle, but it’s the gold kiss-clasp and chain strap that make it feel like a vintage-inspired find. Kiss-clasp bags have been enjoying something of a revival, making this a lovely way to bring a retro detail into a more contemporary party look.
As for where to wear it? I’d save this one for a festive dinner with friends, followed by cocktails somewhere you can linger a little longer than planned. It’s dressed-up enough to feel special, but the separates also mean you can get plenty more wear out of each piece once the season is over.