Boogie nights: the women’s partywear guide

For an exquisite dress for that fancy bash or black-tie winter wedding, you’re spoilt for choice this season by Philosophy, Alexander McQueen and Merchant Archive, to name but a few. Temperley London has created this shimmering gown exclusively for Selfridges this season – and let’s face it, if you can’t wear head-to-toe sequins at Christmas, when can you?

The run-up to Christmas can be a feat of endurance for your liver and your wardrobe. With December's inevitable impromptu post-work drinks and team dinners, a top that says ‘I'm ready to party, but only when it’s deemed appropriate’ is key. Enter this Studio 54-esque Gucci number. With its puff sleeves, giant pussy bow and trippy zig-zag print, it has good times written all over it while also being a guaranteed conversation-starter in the boardroom (in the best possible way). Win-win!

It may be party season, but it’s also cold season, and when you’re dressed in your finest glad rags, your tired old parka just won’t cut it. We say, it’s time for a trophy coat. A super sleek cape from Toni Maticevski or a lustrous silk trench in festive red from Michael Lo Sordo will instantly zhuzh up any look.  

While you can’t knock a good dress, a jumpsuit always lends a certain insouciance to evening affairs. London-based label Galvan has conquered the niche for cool eveningwear that feels truly modern, epitomised by this fluid satin jumpsuit. Or for style peacocks, Osman’s sequined piece, created exclusive for Selfridges this season, is guaranteed to dazzle.

The secret to navigating the social season with consummate ease? Co-ords. When your social calendar is so full that you’re forced to make plans on a Monday night (God forbid!), you need pieces that will unlock plenty of outfit options. Enter this jewel-adorned trousers and jacket combo from Art School: sparkly yet casual, and ready to be worn together or separately. Monday night drinks, sorted. 

If the thought of wearing a novelty knit brings you out in hives, fear not. Mary Katrantzou’s all-over sequined jumper with rainbow-striped sleeves is about as far from that as you can get. Wear with jeans for a mulled wine-fuelled evening at the pub, or with the matching sparkly skirt for fancier affairs. Fabulously festive, but also a year-round show stopper. 

Like gin and tonic or hangovers and bacon sandwiches, velvet and Christmas parties are destined for each other. This season, sumptuous shades of cobalt blue and glistening gold make festive dressing a total joy. If it’s a velvet accent you’re after, long-time Fendi designer Marco de Vincenzo’s braided stilettos are our standout party shoes of the season. 

In 1966, Yves Saint Laurent introduced the world to Le Smoking (a tuxedo-style suit that quickly became the epitome of sex appeal) and more than 50 years later, suiting remains a strong partywear favourite. For a festive update, it’s all about one material this season: (you guessed it) velvet. We love Frame’s spice-coloured velvet tux worn with sequined boots, bringing a whole new meaning to getting “suited and booted”.