It’s December. The diary is filling up with nights out with friends you’ve promised to “catch up” with all year… But hands up, after a long, stressful day at work, doing bath and bed with the kids, then a quick dishwasher unload and reload, who is full of enthusiasm for getting dressed up and heading out-out in the cold and rain? Not me! I’d secretly rather stay home and watch I’m A Celebrity to see who gets kicked off, but that’s not in the festive spirit of things! And I know, once I’m out, I’ll have an amazing time.
But why the lacklustre? I find it tricky deciding what to wear for “glam-casual” nights out. Forget red carpets or black-tie balls; it’s the understated “glasual” dress codes that throw me into a sartorial spin. How do I look like I’ve made an effort without actually making any effort? Two words: dressy jacket. And if I had to buy only one party piece, this sensational sequin cape from Marks & Spencer would be it!
Yes, ladies, full confession time: GH’s fashion director is lazy when it comes to getting dressed up. I’m more of a low-maintenance kind of glam, and this shimmery cocktail cover-up is just what my “mum’s nights out” have been looking for. You can come straight off the school pick-up in your old jeans, white T-shirt and comfy trainers, then slip this dazzling beauty on over the top, add a swipe of red lippy and off you go – it’s as “glasual” as it gets.
True story: after the Friday GH Live event (wearing that Mint Velvet metallic dress), there was no time for me to pop home and change my outfit, so I went straight to the PTA “Quiz and Curry Night” at my children’s school hall. Big mistake. In a sea of mums in their “glasual” attire (mostly jeans and a nice top or a knit with a sparkly skirt), I looked absolutely ridiculous, way OTT, like a desperate mum who doesn’t get out much (to be fair, I don’t) and was wearing her “best” frock to the PTA do. Even the deputy head quizmaster made an announcement into the microphone: “Give a big hand to the mum who made a real effort tonight.” Oh, my God. I just wanted the ground in the school hall to swallow me up. I’m sharing this story with you to spare you the embarrassment of not going “glasual” this festive season – it’s all about relaxed glamour.
How to get dressed up when you like dressing down? Get yourself a cocktail cover-up. Here are my favourite party jackets to shop right now.
