OH, JUST SOMETHING I THREW ON

There’s a whole world of fresh styling options out there to see you through the Christmas season without having to resort to a predictable party dress. The ELLE experts tell you how

Every party season we have to fight that Pavlovian impulse to pull out the glittery cocktail dress as soon as Mariah Carey’s Christmas album starts to play. Happily, this December offers a slew of fresh ways to dress up that don’t involve you looking like a bauble. Team ELLE is here to help with a reveal of our own festive wardrobe plans:

ANNE-MARIE CURTIS, FASHION DIRECTOR

I’ve invested in flared cropped trousers to change up my tuxedo silhouette. Wearing a party dress just doesn’t feel right any more; now I focus on separates. I’ll be investing in a black silk Balenciaga blouse and statement earrings to dress things up even more.

KENYA HUNT, FASHION FEATURES DIRECTOR Glitter and shimmer are fun, but there are more interesting ways to tap into that festive spirit. I do this through texture. I love Prada’s brocades and jacquards; I’d wear the gold jacquard coat belted over a vintage tee and Levi’s jeans. For events that are a little more formal, I’d pull out a velvet smoking jacket from Racil and wear it with tuxedo trousers. BILLIE BHATIA, FASHION ASSISTANT

I am always in a rollneck, so during party season I go for a luxe version. This season it will be in lurex or velvet from Topshop, worn under a sleeveless dress or with palazzo trousers. And I’ll be using satin ribbon – the kind you see around the gifts under the tree – to tie a low ponytail to polish the look off.

HEATHER GWYTHER, FASHION ASSISTANT

My party look involves any pair of earrings that demand both adoration and endurance: I’m dreaming of the crystal clip numbers from Saint Laurent. If my earlobes aren’t aching, I’m not interested. And there’s something about a black suede court shoe worn with fishnet tights that makes most outfits look a bit more chic, even under trousers. FELICITY KAY, FASHION ASSISTANT

I have a phobia of being overdressed. As a result, my party uniform usually consists of a white shirt, jeans – where I can get away with it – and a red lip. This season I’ll be swapping denim for high-shine fabrics, such as the spray-on skinny vinyl trousers from Anthony Vaccarello. Another symptom of being an under-dresser is I’ve been avoiding heels for the past few seasons, as they’ve felt infinitely less cool than elevated flats. A simple patent court, again with high shine, feels relevant again. SOPHIE BERESINER, BEAUTY DIRECTOR

I tend to overdress all year, mostly as a way to justify my shopping addiction. So this season, I’m drawn to a Gucci statement shoe or sequined top as standard. Party dressing for me means dressing up, but with one offset element: I wouldn’t be afraid to team a full maxi skirt with heels and a plain tee, or a full-on tulle pink dress and velvet-red lipstick, but with ankle boots. This season, in keeping with my favourite beauty trend, I’ll be in varying shades of glitter lips by Pat McGrath, probably with a sequined item of clothing, too.

ROBERTA HOLLIS, FASHION ASSISTANT

A great way to breathe new life into your favourite old LBD is through hosiery. Seen at the likes of the AW16 Saint Laurent show, a pair of sheer polka dot, fishnet or seamed pantyhose are a chic way to elevate a dress. Another seasonal-dressing hack involves undoing the top buttons on a men’s shirt and wearing it off your shoulders. I will be doing this with a long, velvet skirt.

KIRSTY DALE, EXECUTIVE FASHION DIRECTOR

I love mixing daytime and evening pieces, such as a rollneck under a Raey slip dress or a tulle overlay to shirting. Instead of traditional party dresses, I’ll be buying light cashmere jumpers, light dresses and polonecks. I’ll use statement earrings and knotted, satin mules to give my evening look that extra dose of after-eight shimmer.

DONNA WALLACE, ACCESSORIES EDITOR

Some people wear a party dress. I prefer the party trainer tricked out in feathers and crystals. Miu Miu has some of the best

– I’d wear them with black tailoring. And my

‘MY PARTY LOOK INVOLVES ANY PAIR OF EARRINGS THAT DEMAND BOTH ADORATION AND ENDURANCE. IF MY EARLOBES AREN’T

ACHING, I’M NOT INTERESTED’

‘SOME PEOPLE WEAR A PARTY DRESS. I PREFER THE PARTY TRAINER TRICKED OUT IN FEATHERS AND CRYSTALS’

favourite party-season styling hack is to put a simple camisole over your shirt – very Marques’Almeida. It’s also an easy way to go from day to night.

MICHELLE DUGUID, SENIOR FASHION EDITOR My go-to item is a cocktail jumper – not a Christmas jumper as there will be no snowflakes or snowmen. I also love a wideleg velvet suit. I’ll break it into pieces for day, wearing the trousers and a poloneck with trainers to the office, then swapping the top for a camisole, and adding the jacket and heels for night.

LULU COOPER, FASHION ASSISTANT

A tailored trouser with a camisole and smart, flat shoes is my favourite seasonal outfit. I’ll dress it up with a striking pair of earrings. Sparkle looks more contemporary when it’s the focal piece rather than worn all over. JOELY WALKER, BEAUTY EDITOR

One word: metallics. Oh, and animal print. It wouldn’t be very in the spirit of things not to jazz up my usual all-black approach to evening attire at least a little bit. That said, I still like to keep things easy – as in, relaxed enough to indulge in any kind of impromptu dancing scenario that may unfold – so I’ll always throw a black leather biker jacket over the top and wear shoes I know are in it for the long haul.

RACHAEL EVANS, BOOKINGS EDITOR

My night-time look must feature something off-kilter – I’d never wear a party skirt with heels. I like to mix the formal with the informal: this season, that means a sweatshirt. I don’t do ‘party dressing’. For me, I’m party appropriate simply by being at the party.