Festive fashion from velvet party dresses to Frankie Bridge's bold red suit

08 December 2023 , 15:35

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We're preparing our bank accounts for sparkles, velvet and cosy knits

As the working week winds down, there’s a certain buzz in the air in knowing that Friday marks not only the start of the weekend, but also the opportunity to indulge in a little retail therapy.

Naturally, the thought of battling the bustling aisles and navigating the snaking Saturday queues of shoppers is not our idea of a relaxing weekend. But that doesn’t mean you can’t snap up the latest must-have sequin bag or velvet dress - just in time for party season.

Enter Weekend Wishlist - a carefully curated edit of The Mirror fashion and beauty team’s top picks from the high street this week.

At the end of every week, we’ll be seeking out the viral sensations, soon-to-be sell outs, and uncovering the gems that deserve a spot in your shopping bag (and ours), from the likes of River Island, Nobody's Child, M&S and more.

Whether you're seeking a wardrobe refresh, eye-catching accessories, or simply a touch of inspiration, we've got you covered. And this week, as we welcome in December with open arms, we're fully embracing the holiday spirit with velvet dresses, sparkly skirts, silver dresses and adorable Christmas jumpers on our radar just in time for Christmas.

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So, if you're in need of some retail inspiration, without further a-do, here's what we're loving this week:

Frankie Bridge's bright red suit

Frankie looked incredible as she donned this bright red suit from River Island (Instagram/@frankiebridge)

This suit is certain to make a bold statement at your next Christmas party and the big day itself as it'll dress you head to toe in the colour of the season; red. We first caught wind of this gorgeous ensemble when Frankie Bridge included it in her weekly round up - and now newsletter - Frankie's Faves, in which she paired the suit with some silver heels and a silver bag and we instantly fell in love.

The gorgeous bright-red suit from River Island is made up of a blazer and wide leg trousers in a scarlet colour and individual costs £75 and £40 and was dubbed by the Loose Women star as the 'ultimate festive red suit".

For Frankie's two piece suit, see the blazer here and trousers here, both from River Island.

Velvet high neck drape from ASOS

This dress is sassy and so elegant (ASOS)

Velvet material and Christmas go hand in hand and this gorgeous, sleek, chocolate brown dress is so stylish and flattering with its high draped neck. Being velvet, it's so comfortable and with a cheeky cut out on one side, drape detailing and a ruched effect in the middle, it's a little something different for the party season.

Coming in sizes 4 to 18, the dress costs £55 from ASOS.

Get it here.

Paris Fury's Silver Midi skirt from New Look

Paris Fury nails the silver trend with this midi skirt from New Look (New Look)

Alongside red, shoppers are going mad for silver this Christmas with trousers, skirts and dresses in the colour being advertised and consequently snapped up across the high street. And we are currently loving this midi skirt Paris Fury wore from her New Look edit. Coming in at £32.99, the skirt has been described as being "cooler than the ubiquitous trousers/jeans in this fabric" and praised for its "amazing quality".

With slit in the front of the leather-look skirt, it flatters any figure and is "ideal for the Xmas period".

Get it here.

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Embellished river Island Jeans

Frankie Bridge's favourite River Island embellished jeans are now half price in time for party season (Frankie Bridge/Instagram)

These jeans are the perfect item if you want a versatile look than can easily be jazzed up to partywear or down for a casual Christmas pub night. A high waisted fit and stove pipe straight leg, they are made from 100% cotton and feature a gorgeous diamante embellishment which makes these jeans perfect for that Chrismtas day outfit (with a cosy jumper) or meal out with the girls.

What makes them even better is that they're currently on sale for £35 down from £70.

Get them here.

New Look 'Bond Girl' dress

I felt like a festive Bond girl in this dress... (Eve Rowlands)

Okay, this dress is one I am personally obsessed with. Covered in subtle sequins, this black, halterneck beauty is the perfect dress to wear to a Christmas party. Not being super skintight, it skims over your hips and gives you a flattering silhouette, not the mention it makes your shoulders and arms look fantastic. Being midi length, too, it works with flats (you won't trip over the bottom) and heels and can be, if you so wish, dressed down with a chunky knit over the top and up with statement earrings and lippy.

And it's only £27.99 which is a bargain, if you ask me.

Get it here.

LOOKFANTASTIC's Christmas Eve Edit Beauty Box

Gift yourself a box full of beauty and skincare goodies worth over £190 this Christmas with LOOKFANTASTIC's new festive edit. With names like Elemis, Too Faced and Virtue included in the beauty box, it's an absolute steal for £50 and is sure to give you a glow over the holiday season. Read more on the box here.

Get it here.

Mango Rhinestone Shoulder Bag

These rhinestone bags are the perfect party accesory

Now, with any festive outfit in which you are painting the town (a Christmassy red of course), you will most likely need a bag to Mary Poppins all your belongings in. And this GORGEOUS sparkly shoulder bagette from Mango is that pop of sparkle that'll go with every ensemble and do the trick. Costing £49.99 from the high street store, the bag comes in a bright silver and, as our fashion and beauty writer Shani Cohen discovered, is "pretty roomy", making it practical and pretty. For an alternative, try out the black velvet version here.

Get the silver rhinestone bag from Mango here.

Nobody's Child Velvet Jolene dress

Nobody's Child have brought us some incredibly festive looks this year - including this Jolene dress

Name a better Christmas combination than a dress that is both made from velvet material and red? This dress from eco-conscious brand Nobody's Child (one beloved by Fearne Cotton) is the perfect mini dress for any occasion - but especially Christmas dos. With a saucy open back detailing, bow tie and flute sleeves, the dress is made from recycled materials entirely and is lightly lined so falls beautifully. It was a firm favourite with our fashion and beauty writer Tiffany Lo who described it as "perfect for parties" and predicted it'll be a sell out before Christmas - so what are you waiting for?

Get it here.

Silver Foil Detail Slip Midi Dress

This River Island dress has been reduced by £15 ahead of Christmas party season and it's so gorgeous

If you're after something a little fancier this party season, this silver foil slip dress from River Island is currently on sale from £55 to £40 and is so festive - but in a subtle way. With a cowl neck, spaghetti straps and silver foil detailing (on a white background), it's super flattering and will pair perfectly with some kitten heels and big fluffy coat (like this one - especially if you want to channel an 'Ice Princess' vibe). That being said, it can be muted with a cosy white jumper over the top and boots for a more 'Winter Wonderland' fit.

Get it here.

Fenty Beauty party-ready shimmer liquid eyeliner

This new release from Fenty Beauty will add some drama to your make up look with blue, purple and chrome colour liquid eyeliners brightening up any festive outfit. The limited edition "vivid shimmer eyeliner" has intense pigment for a bold colour that won't come off and has been described as sweat and humidity resistant and smudge-proof.

Costing £19 it's great for Christmas parties.

Get it from Fenty Beauty here.

H&M Christmas Jumper

H&M do cosy jumpers so well! (H&M)

Christmas isn't Christmas without jumpers decorated in reindeer, snowflakes, presents and Fair isle patterns being modelled on the high street. And this one from H&M is a gorgeous option if you want to be festive but not quite so obviously. The jacquard knit has a round ribbed neckline, long raglan sleeves and has been made from 50% recycled polyester - plus it has a gorgeous fairisle-esque pattern that makes it look totally festive. Coming in cream/black and grey/white, it's a great jumper to keep you cosy as the temperature plummets.

Get it from H&M here.

M&S' Sparkle Kitten Heel Ankle Boots

These glittery shoes are perfect for party season (Marks & Spencer)

To finish off any Christmas outfit, you need a pair of shoes that'll either make a bold statement or draw it all in together. And this pair of £59 boots that are covered in sparkles and have a comfortable kitten heel and can be worn with dresses and trousers and can "brighten up any outfit".

With a pointed toe and a flared stiletto heel, the boots can be worn for hours on end thanks to its Insolia Flex® technology, which redistributes your weight away from the balls of your feet so you can wear the heels comfortably for longer. One shopper who loved them said: "Gorgeous sparkly boots, look amazing and very comfortable."

Get the here from Marks & Spencer.

Eve Rowlands