The glitz and sparkle of Christmas dressing is one of the easiest looks to pull off on the cheap. There are two reasons for this:
1) You wear these outfits after dark and it’s easier then to get away with a cheap lining and a slightly dodgy finish.
2) You need wear them only twice, maximum, which means that they won’t have to suffer the ravages of dry-cleaning.
Oasis does pretty much the best party frocks in town (and, to be fair, they are well finished so can endure a fair few outings). My current favourites are a black lace number (which has a flattering mid-length sleeve); this sequin dress (right), again with kind sleeves and, as an added bonus, a pretty light reflected on to your face. Oasis also does a stunning digital-print maxi dress that works especially well with a cropped biker jacket from Miss Selfridge to glamour-grunge things up a little.
If you already have a basic (and failsafe) little black dress that has served you more than well over the years, then good for you; but you’ll need some of this year’s accessories to ramp it up a little. Big, brash statement earrings are very now; plump for Topshop’s cat-shape gold studs or its chunky stone earrings and avoid all other bits of jewellery in the interest of not overloading.
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I am also a big fan of a simple white T-shirt and sharp black tailored pants-and-heels combination worn with one of the intensely dramatic collar necklaces now enjoying a fashion moment. (You may find that you get a gruesome neckache after a night in one of these babies. Worth it, though.) As for shoes, the ankle boot will edge up your outfit admirably — so much cooler than a boring court. I’m not going to recommend that you scrimp on these, mind. Partly because I simply don’t believe in cheap shoes; partly because you will weep with pain if you attempt to stand upright for more than 20 minutes. Pied à Terre does a fabulous pair of boots that are among my favourite purchases of the season. And though they look casual, with the right frock they’re a dream.
Finally, do not underestimate the power of great tights. These generally overlooked items have incredible abilities to take outfits into the realm of the truly fabulous. Emilio Cavallini’s range deserves some kind of mention on the honours list for services in the field of making a basic LBD look unutterably cool. Oh, and Bebaroque’s tattoo-design tights are beyond stunning; though absolutely to be worn only by the very brave.