If you plan to stomp up a fury at the work disco, you may need these. From Yves Saint Laurent’s Cruise 10 collection, these heels will totally work next spring, as part of the Helmut Lang-inspired 90s sports-luxe trend. And dropping “Cruise 10” into a sentence will make you sound very with it, in a French Vogue kind of way.
£635, 020-7493 1800 Photograph: Guardian
It is possible to attend the festivities without shedding sequins as you shimmy. This nippy number from Whistles is a cacophony of recent trends. You’ve got animal print – though crucially not leopard (too obvious); draping, which is both flattering and a bit Balenciaga; plus, it has an air of the Isabel Marant about it.
£250, 0845 899 1222 Photograph: Guardian
Festive high-fives to Zara for this leather-and-feather number. Posh plumage has gained red-carpet momentum with the likes of Blake Lively and Kate Hudson adopting it. The fashion desk can also report that this skirt is super faux-looking, so you won’t feel as if you’re wearing a bird, which really would be a bit weird.
£79.90, 020-7534 9500 Photograph: Guardian
This monochrome shirt from Topman’s (increasingly lovely) LTD collection may at first appear to be the choice of a party killjoy but that, dear readers, would be missing the point. This is a stark, graphic statement and therefore a bold choice – remember, party dressing doesn’t have to translate as a “a bit jazzy”. The difference is that you’ll definitely want to wear this in January, too.
£40, 0845 1214519 Photograph: Guardian
If your Christmas party ensemble needs that one finishing piece, follow photographer Ellen von Unwerth by flicking out a fabulous black fan. It’s the one time of year you can get away with Karl Lagerfeld-style behaviour. Other ideas to consider: buttoning up a dressy shirt or blouse and wearing short necklaces over the top – this looks inexplicably cool and unfussy. Party time doesn’t have to equal a dress or skirt – interesting trousers are equally valid. Von Unwerth has gone for a punky check with zips, worn with ankle boots. Last, the ruffle edging on the tux sleeves is perfectly balanced by a boring (in a good way) watch. Photograph: Stephane Cardinale/People Avenue
