House style :: Wessex Scene Online

House style

11th November 2007
Hannah Pratt

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Oct 07 - That’s a wrap
May 07 - By the pool, by the sea
Dec 07 - ‘Tis the season to be stunning’
Oct 07 - Dress to Impress
Oct 07 - Winter warmers

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Dec 07 - ‘Tis the season to be stunning’
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House Parties are hardly the most obvious place to be working the latest trends; lets face it, student landings have very little in common with the catwalk.

Before the ‘Skins’ phenomenon, house parties were generally considered as a less raucuous alternative to a night on the tiles. However, getting wasted at your mates’ hovel actually provides major networking opportunities; a chance to socialise with the people you know, meet those you don’t and expand on the small talk once uttered with those you have briefly met on the stairs in The Cube. Thus, there really is no excuse to be rocking up in the trusted Soton hoodie…again.

What to do with the cash you’d have otherwise spent on entrance fees and taxis? Invest in eye catching accessories to bring those tired looking outfits bang up to date and ensure you are the epitome of relaxed chic at your next living room extravaganza , with enough money to spare for some Lambrini!

Along with the dreaded ‘smart-casual’ dress code, house party attire is tricky to get right. Turn up underdressed and you’ll look like the party wasn’t worth making any effort for. Turn up overdressed and you’ll look like you’ve just split up you’re your boyfriend and are in rebound mode or will look like you have severe self-esteem issues right now. I suggest choosing some key pieces that align with the current trends and working the rest of your wardrobe around them to keep the look cheap but effectively up to date.

Metallics add a sense of refined sparkle to winter drab, plus they’ll still be shimmering come Spring/Summer 08. Break pieces up with duller colours though: head to toe gold is more CP30 from Star wars than party chic! Topshop have some great long length vests in black with an understated bronze sheen for Ł18. Pair these with black or darker coloured skinny denim jeans, then add calf length, flat winter boots and some huge 70’s style earrings (not hoops please), or a long pendant left over from summer for maximum effect. Diva at Miss Selfridge has a fantastic selection of over sized jewellery at the moment that is also reasonably priced. All you then need to do is to pose seductively by the Dj/CD Player (probably more likely) and wait for the bees to flock around the honey pot!

Seen a cute guy by the delapidated sofa and fancy wooing him with your pins? Denim skirts are looking a little passé right now, making way for denim hot pants instead; the shorter the better. But don’t fret, hosiery will save you from walking up the staircase and revealing far too much thigh for the party’s liking! Tights are fabulous and Southampton high street will serve you well! Primark is your best bet as they’re super cheap (Ł2) and of reasonable quality. Thick, black or navy ribbed styles are the most slimming to wear with shorts. Just remember, keep it classy by going with a looser top.

Sweater dresses are brilliant and though more pricey, make a practical investment. Warehouse, Oasis (in John Lewis, West Quay) and Topshop all do gorgeous variations for around Ł40. If you feel like living on bread and coffee for a week, get another one in deep purple, the colour for autumn/winter 07.

Just a word of warning – fine knits and parties boasting about volumes of snakebite are nay a happy partnership!