You don’t have to dress like Agyness Deyn to win style points. Wear black lace from the high street or the back of your own wardrobe, it doesn’t matter — those in the know will totally get that you are referencing Prada’s current collection.
Dress, £75, by Oasis, oasis-stores.com; ring, £108, by Erickson Beamon, 020-7259 0202; shoes, £300, by Kurt Geiger, 0845 257 2571 Photograph: Full Stop Photography/Guardian
A search for a party dress with sleeves is almost enough to leave the most sunny-minded shopper all but convinced of a wide-ranging conspiracy by the fashion industry to humiliate all women with triceps thicker than a Biro. Almost, but not quite. This is a beauty.
Dress, £184.98, by YMC, 0844 557 3190; Bangle, £10, by Miss Selfridge, 0845 121 4517; shoes,£160, by Kurt Geiger, as before Photograph: Full Stop Photography/Guardian
If you don’t do dresses, here’s the look for you. A longish, slimline top over slim-to-skinny jeans or trousers is flattering and bold — and won’t gather dust uselessly in your wardrobe between Christmas parties.
Top, £45, by Banana Republic, as before; Jeans, by J Brand,£125, at Selfridges, 0800 123 4000; shoes, £435, by Russell and Bromley, as before Photograph: Full Stop Photography/Guardian
The easiest way to upstage every party dress in the room? A pair of shorts. Shorts-for-evening still being a relatively new look, this immediately turns your legs into a conversation piece for the evening. This is either a reason to avoid, or the whole point, depending on the legs in question.
Top, £85, by Banana Republic, 020-7758 3550; shorts, £35, by Gap, 0800 427789 Photograph: Full Stop Photography/Guardian
Too many women make the mistake of jumping from Kate Moss Topshop straight into the Hampstead playwright look (flowing black, ruby velvet scarf, vaguely ethnic earrings). You may be too old for wet-look leggings but you can still look fashion-relevant.
Dress, £127.23, by Whistles; shoes, £59, by Zara, 020-7534 9500; bangles, £8, by Dorothy Perkins, 087-0122-8801 Photograph: Full Stop Photography/Guardian
Day-to-night transformations look cheap and sleazy when they involve changing into a more low-cut top or a shorter skirt. Sorry, just saying. Instead, wear this dress with a cardigan and boots to work; at 6pm, take off the cardigan and boots and add crazy shoes and a shiny belt.
Dress, £49.50, by Gap, as before; belt, £14, by New Look, 0500 454 094; shoes, £75, by Office Photograph: Full Stop Photography/Guardian
A cute dress and Puss-in-Boots boots? A bit pantomime and camper than Strictly, true, but hey — it’s Christmas, folks. If you don’t want to have to bother fetching your own drinks, then a pair of thigh-high boots will guarantee you willing helpers all night long.
Dress, £50, by Topshop, 0845 121 4519; boots, £235, by Russell and Bromley, 020-7629 6903 Photograph: Full Stop Photography/Guardian
When you want to look as though you’ve made an effort without appearing too desperate for attention, ban cleavage and point the spotlight on “now” accessories: a power clutch bag and some fabulous dancing shoes, for instance.
Top, £35 and skirt, £38, by Lux. Clutch bag, £98, all at Urban Outfitters; shoes, £65, by Topshop as before Photograph: Full Stop Photography/Guardian
