I think I’ve cracked the night out style code

I survived the long weekend. In fact, not only did I manage two nights of the jazz weekend but I also went out on Sunday for a little daytime jaunt of jazzing.

After all my concerns about what to wear on a night out, I needn’t have bothered as there was such an anything goes vibe to what people were wearing. I ended up erring on the side of comfort and wore a pair of trainers out on the second night after the mid heel ankle boots proved too much when it came to dancing and standing for more than four hours.

I’ll be leaving the high heels to the youngsters who bravely battled on with heels but could be seen swapping them out for the Birkenstocks come 10pm. Such a weekend is a marathon so you need to be prepared and know that what you’re wearing when you go out early will be just as suitable when you’re coming home at midnight. I found wearing a medium size cross body bag super handy as I was able to pop a little triangle scarf in there for the walk home. I picked up a really lovely burgundy cross body bag in a super soft faux leather which gives your outfit a nod to this season’s colour trend and it was also dressy enough to make even a simple outfit look a bit dressier.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from this weekend it’s that times are a changing for dressy looks and people are wearing outfits that are much more pared back. I’m all for a bit of colour but you can’t beat monochrome to lend an air of chicness to your style.

I need to invest in a good pair of black trousers as they can be styled with so many options.

Keep the silhouette loose and flowy and pair with a lace longline cami, black leather jacket and some kitten heel sling backs for a cool and understated look. The pairing of leather and lace gives your look texture and depth and is both feminine and a little bit edgy. There are so many great trouser options out there now and I do like a H&M trouser for a more budget friendly option. If you know you like the look and want to invest then somewhere like Cos or & Other Stories have really lovely, tailored options. Massimo Dutti is another place I find great for luxe tailored pieces that are a little bit more expensive but worth it for the quality.

If black trousers are not your style, then you can substitute these for a silky slip skirt with lace trim. I know I go on about these skirts all the time but they are a fashion life saver if you don’t know what to wear. I bought a gorgeous gold coloured slip skirt in Dunnes which has such a nice fit and I wore it at the weekend with a longline, simple white t-shirt and a purple embroidered, velvet jacket that I picked up from a fab Cork company called Somas. It looked dressy and put together but had the added bonus of comfort.

I sound like a granny but at this point in my life I can’t cope with being cold and having sore feet.

Anyway luckily, I think I’ve cracked the night out style code and I’ll be ready to jazz again next year. I just need this full year to recover now, and you won’t see me outside the door for another few months.