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FESTIVE FUSS

Women spend eight hours planning their Christmas party outfit… but only three hours wearing it

A poll, of 2,000 women, found just over eight hours is spent planning what to wear, browsing and buying the outfit as well as accessories and getting ready for the night itself

WOMEN spend an average of eight hours planning their Christmas party look, a study has revealed.

Interestingly, this is more than double the time they actually spend wearing the outfit.

 Women will also try on four different items of clothing and end up returning one after changing their mind
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Women will also try on four different items of clothing and end up returning one after changing their mindCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

A poll, of 2,000 women, found just over eight hours is spent planning what to wear, browsing and buying the outfit as well as accessories and getting ready for the night itself.

However, the average Christmas party or night out only lasts three hours and 32 minutes - meaning women are spending more time getting ready than actually wearing the heavily planned for outfit.

It also emerged the average woman will attend three parties over the festive season - with nine in ten wearing a different get-up to each one.

 Women will go on two different shopping trips, either in-store or online, and usually visit a total of eight shops or websites in the hunt for the perfect party outfit
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Women will go on two different shopping trips, either in-store or online, and usually visit a total of eight shops or websites in the hunt for the perfect party outfitCredit: Getty Images

A spokesman for online clothing retailer , which commissioned the research, said: “Christmas parties are an important date for many in the annual social calendar and everyone wants to be looking their best.

“But it can be a stressful and daunting experience trying to find the perfect Christmas party outfit – particularly if you have more than one event you need to buy for.

“There are so many things to consider such as the dress code, what other people will be wearing, what suits you and what style you like that it can be overwhelming trying to find the ideal dress.

“And after hours of planning and shopping, most will only then spend a fraction of that time wearing the outfit.

“Shopping online can make the search for a party outfit much easier, in the comfort of your own home, away from the bustle of the Christmas shopping crowds on the High Street.”

The study also discovered that women will spend two hours and nine minutes thinking about what to wear, perusing sites like Pinterest for inspiration or trying on clothes they already own.

 The average Christmas party or night out only lasts three hours and 32 minutes
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The average Christmas party or night out only lasts three hours and 32 minutesCredit: Getty Images

Another two hours and 17 minutes is spent browsing online retailers or going into shops for ideas, while two hours and 16 minutes is taken up shopping and actually buying the items you decide on.

Over the course of this time, women will go on two different shopping trips, either in-store or online, and usually visit a total of eight shops or websites in the hunt for the perfect party outfit.

The average woman will also try on four different items of clothing – as well as returning one after changing their mind.

Finally, .

The poll also found that 59 per cent of women look forward to planning and shopping for their Christmas party outfits.

 One hour and 20 minutes is spent getting ready for the night itself
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One hour and 20 minutes is spent getting ready for the night itselfCredit: Getty Images

Remarkably, 71 per cent even went as far as to say that sometimes they prefer the outfit planning and getting ready to the night out itself.

However, 81 per cent admitted they have occasions where they find it stressful searching for the perfect party outfit.

It also emerged that 89 per cent of women think women tend to dress to impress other women – as opposed to the opposite sex – with one in five women adding that they would rather get a compliment from another woman than a man.

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A spokesman for AX Paris added: “It’s interesting to see that many women are dressing to impress their friends and peers rather than the opposite sex.

"We all want to look our best, but it seems we care more about what our friends think than our partners.

"We are more than confident that with our brand new collection of statement party dresses, chic co-ords and elegant jumpsuits, we have a style to make everyone feel special this party season- no matter who you’re trying to impress.”