How to look effortless and elegant at every festive function

From left: Lisa Armstrong, Sophie Tobin, Tamara Abraham, Hansveni Dave, Jessica Burrell and Sarah Bailey – the Telegraph fashion team showcasing the party-season looks they swear by - Andrew Crowley

It’s easy to get into a twist about party dressing. Opaque dress codes (“cosy opulence”, “island chic”) don’t exactly help. Of course, the key to getting event dressing right, is to be so at ease, that you actually forget what you are wearing and throw yourself into the evening’s dancing, gossiping, feasting and imbibing instead.

Easier said than done? The personal stylist and co-founder of Wrapp10, Sara Parker Bowles, once told me that when she advises her clients on what to wear to occasions, she always begins with the invitation. “I tell them to photograph it and send it to me,” she says.

Parker Bowles recommends thinking about the room. Will it be draughty or tightly packed and steamy? What does the design of the invitation say about the mood: drop-dead glamour or dressed-down nonchalance? If in doubt, simply ask your host, but make sure you do so in good time. None of the above means that you need to buy a new razzle-dazzle ensemble for every soirée you go to. Far from it. Choose versatile pieces that you truly love; items that can be dressed up or down. For instance, a tulle skirt that can be worn with a velvet dress coat and stiletto boots strikes a completely different note when paired with a cosy sweater and satin ballerinas.

Sitting beside Polly McMaster, founder of The Fold, at a dinner recently, she told me that the brand designs “with real life in mind… products such as our Lennox Velvet Jacket and trousers that are perfect for desk to dinner occasions. From my own experience, I’ve found that it is about elegant versatility, a beautifully tailored look that can shift mood with just a change of shoes or jewellery.”

McMaster says it’s all about effortlessness. “Whether you’re dressing for a country escape or cocktails in the city, our Ashford Metallic Knit Top and Irvine Metallic Knit Skirt can be styled with heels and statement jewellery, or for a more relaxed feel, a long boot.”

Here, The Telegraph’s fashion team share their tips for the party season ahead. Now, it’s time to get dressed up.

Country house chic

By Sarah Bailey

‘I cannot bear to be cold at a party’ – Sarah’s embellished Boden jumper and ruffled skirt bring glamour but protect against winter chill

Jennifer Lawrence’s Rome Film Festival look – she took to the red carpet in an ever so slightly slouchy sweater and a fabulous full skirt – inspired my “country house chic” outfit. Lawrence looked wonderfully at-ease in her own skin in her JW Anderson-designed Dior ensemble, but she also looked like she would be nice and cosy if there happened to be a bit of a nip in the air.

Country house weekends and receptions in barns are all lovely, of course, but they tend to spell one thing to me: draught. I cannot bear to be cold at a party, nor am I fond of fussy cover-ups (stoles, pashminas, fluffy boleros, which I inevitably lose). A party sweater is the solution and happily there are a lot of good options in the shops.

I adore this whimsical, embellished swans-a-swimming number from Boden, which is a cut above in terms of quality for the price. And, as Claudia Winkleman has shown us, a ruffled maxi skirt is a dressing solution every woman needs in her wardrobe. For chilly country house weekends, layer up with a pair of Uniqlo HeatTech leggings underneath, no one will ever know. I’m also a great advocate of a dress-up party boot for winter gallivanting – this glorious pearl-studded pair by Essentiel Antwerp is one I’d wear forever.

Sarah wears: Ruffle maxi skirt, £199, All Saints; Swan embellished jumper, £139, Boden; Leather studded knee high boots, £525, Essentiel Antwerp; Silver hoops, £92, Tyger by the Tail

Get the country house style

Black tie

By Tamara Abraham

Tamara says these Reiss fringed trousers are her new formal party go-to, perfect for black-tie events during the festive season

I never feel myself in a formal evening gown, it usually requires some form of restrictive shapewear, and the bare arms and cleavage make me feel exposed and chilly. A tuxedo is a great alternative, but for something a little more fun and festive, these fringed trousers from the Reiss x Royal Ballet collection are my new party go-to. I’ve worn them to a couple of events now and I’ve had endless compliments. Plus they’re comfortable, and I can eat a three-course dinner in them.

Style-wise, they’re versatile – they look great with a knit or shirt, but for black tie, I used a cream jacket and diamond-studded jewellery to elevate the look. My only caveat? They’re a bit of a trip hazard, but no more so than a full-length gown – just remember to lift the tassels aside when going up stairs. And if you’re 5ft 4in like me or shorter, you’ll definitely need platform heels.

Tamara wears: Jacket, £298, camisole, £88, and trousers, £298, all Reiss; Shoes, £225, Bobbies; Molten snow earrings, £149, and bangle, £235, both Missoma

Try these black-tie pieces

Cocktail

By Jessica Burrell

‘Who wants to get their legs out at this time of year?’ – Jessica’s knitted Reformation dress proves cocktail dressing needn’t be chilly

I know what you’re thinking: doesn’t a “cocktail” dress code call for something closer to knee-length? I have another question: who wants to get their legs out at this time of year? Not me. To be on the safe side, I checked what Debrett’s has to say on the cocktail code (also sometimes infuriatingly referred to as “smart frocks” or “party dress”). It states: “Women can choose whatever dress/trouser combination they feel will make them look chic and glamorous”.

Duly inspired, I chose this burgundy Reformation number. The fact that it’s knitted makes it feel less formal than something in silk, and the furry cuffs are a bit of festive fun – everyone at the party will want to give them a stroke. I know the form-fitting cut doesn’t look all that forgiving or canapé-friendly, but the thickness of the fabric makes it feel surprisingly supportive, smoothing and almost Spanx-like. It does have an open back, which is a pain when it comes to finding a bra. To get around that, I used Bye Bra’s clever Lift Tape, but there are plenty of inexpensive alternatives out there.

Jessica wears: Fur cuff maxi dress, £248, Reformation; Black strappy kitten heels, £36, M&S; and Crosshatch leather clutch, £1,190, Anya Hindmarch

Shop for cocktail evenings

Dress Festive

By Sophie Tobin

Sophie recommends renting designer pieces for festive gatherings. Here, she wears a silver Ganni dress with Miista boots made for the dance floor

Day to day I usually wear quite classic pieces (shirts, t-shirts and tailored skirts), so I like to let loose for the festive period. I’ve found rental is the best way to source wow party pieces that you’re only likely to wear once. Plus, you can loan for a fraction of the retail price.

I started my search with brands that I love and would feel special wearing (Molly Goddard, Simone Rocha, Rejina Pyo and Cecilie Bahnsen), and eventually landed on this silver Ganni dress. I’ve added boots which are an underappreciated party shoe – a shiny leather will make them feel less daytime – which will make sure I’m on the dance floor all night.

Sophie wears: Ganni metallic jacquard layered dress, rent from £9, By Rotation; Grained leather boots, £450, Miista; Silver double linked hoop earrings, £360, and pebble ring, £435, both Dinosaur Designs

Get the festive look

No dress code

By Hansveni Dave

‘My nightmare is being told there is no dress code’: Hansveni’s sequin skirt and fluffy knit formula strikes the perfect balance for any occasion

My nightmare party situation is being told there is no dress code. It brings on fears of being either over or underdressed and worst of all, unprepared. However, following the formula of pairing a dressy item with a casual item may have subdued my fears. This H-andover sequin and lace skirt is the perfect going out piece that can be dressed down.

When worn with a fluffy knit, like this one from Soft Goat, you can add a cosy element to your look and personally make the idea of wearing sequins a lot less daunting. What makes a knit even more versatile is that you can wear a formal top underneath, as a just in case, like this one from Susamusa. I chose to pair the look with heels, but I would also wear it with a good pair of flats, achieving that perfect in-between of dressed down and dressed up.

Hansveni wears: Brushed cashmere knit top, £295, Soft Goat; Sequin and lace midi skirt, £75, H-andover; Leather kitten heels, £99, Dune; Silver hoops, £92, Tyger by the Tail; and Stainless steel silver cuff, £28, M&S

Prepare for any event

Hygge at home

By Lisa Armstrong

‘For hygge, it has to be a slouchy knit’: Lisa pairs cosy heritage knitwear with a metallic Cos skirt for relaxed festive look

Hygge festive style is pretty wide open. The vibe should be relaxed but sufficiently stylish not to let you down when friends drop round at the last minute or you pop out for drinks. Enter lovely, made in the UK, heritage knitwear, which is increasingly in demand again. This chunky glory, in a muted, versatile mole, has the snugness of a jumper and the heft of a jacket. Perfect with the metallic pleated skirt from Cos which is part kilt (the cosy bit), part glam.

Pleats can be very flattering, depending on the vertical drop point. If this is too boxy, the soft, flute-hemmed option from The Fold is very forgiving (try with the matching top). You could really elevate both skirts with metallic heels and jewellery, but for hygge, it has to be a slouchy knit. Fluffy, like this one from The White Company adds a complexion glow-up.

Being able to slip in and out of my footwear is a cornerstone of Twixmas dressing. This skirt looks best with a little ankle elevation. If you do a heel, it doesn’t get much comfier than this soft mesh slingback from M&S, which has Insolia padding. If you prefer boots, this suede pair from Penelope Chilvers are soft and supple and a gorgeous shade of berry.

Lisa wears: Metallic wool blend skirt, £119, Cos; Wool cable knit jumper, £315, Navy Grey; Mesh slingback shoes, £40, M&S; and Resin floral hoops, £70, Sézane

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