Your office party survival guide

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December. The season of peace and goodwill to all men. Pah! Now there's an out-of-date message clearly dreamed up before the annual office party became a regular fixture on the calendar. I mean, short of spending a day with the cast of this year's X Factor, what could be less peaceful - more excruciating, in fact - than hours spent scouring Oxford Street for the perfect festive frock? Too tight, too long, too drapey, too ugly or just way too likely to make Dennis from Accounts think he's in with a chance this year, every Christmas-approved frock is loaded with a series of sequin-trimmed disasters waiting to happen. But help is at hand. From the ultimate work-to-play party frock to the most elegant sequin-trimmed dress the high street has ever seen, we've done the hard work so that you, dear readers, don't have to. Now, pass the mulled wine.

1. Pleats
The pleat has serious staying power. Set to remain in favour come next spring, a mid-length pleated frock remains a firm favourite with fashion bunnies. Perfect for the party season - particularly for those who favour a dressed-down approach - this wet-look style gown from Hobbs (£299) looks lovely layered with a sweater. (hobbs.com)

2. Asymmetric hem
Long at the back and short at the front, this slightly complicated dress style is all the rage with red-carpet-loving celebrities. Best avoided by anyone who intends to end their evening with a soggy walk home from the Tube, this mermaid-inspired gown from Oasis requires metallic heels and cash for a cab. (£150, oasis-stores.com)

3. Eighteen Hour
There are no sequins, no silly fastenings and, most importantly (drum roll, please), it has sleeves. Praise be! An Eighteen-Hour Dress - so named because you'll wear it all day long without feeling the need to change - is an essential wardrobe addition, like this one from Preen, for stressed-out working women who intend to rush from the office to after-work engagements this month. (£1,440, harveynichols.com)

4. Paillettes
If looking like you've gone 10 rounds in the Christmas decorations aisle in Tesco is not your intention, bypass sequin-trimmmed party frocks and choose one that is detailed with paillettes. Demonstrated beautifully by Stella McCartney, who sprinkled her autumn/winter collection with polka dots cut from cotton, pailettes offer a grown-up way to wear embellishment. (£2,485, stellamccartney.com)

5. Velvet
A dress for the under-25s. This winter's crushed velvet - a fabric once the preserve of eccentric art teachers - requires its wearer to be young, slim and sprightly. Opt for a style in a short, playful cut and avoid - like the plague - anything drapey. Note: velvet looks best in boozy hues of claret and purple. (£30, topshop.com)

6. Feathers
Nothing says festive glamour like a dress that is lavished with ostrich feathers, yet for most of us it's a terrifying option. Dip your toe in the trend with a frock that is subtly trimmed with the plucky stuff. Matthew Williamson's is among our favourites (£2,500). Dress it down with ankle boots. (matthewwilliamson.com)

7. Matt sequins
You won't catch these on Strictly. Subtle, not silly, a matt or gunmetal sequin is the no-nonsense way to approach sparkle at Christmas time. This V-neck wrap dress from Coast is among the best examples on the high street. Great for a curvaceous silhouette. Wear with Hollywood hair and ruby-red lips. (£195, coast-stores.com)

8. Backless
Where an ability to create floaty, divinely beautiful party frocks is concerned, Roksanda Ilincic is in a league of her own. We love this draped-back gown, part of her capsule collection, available exclusively at Matches. Proof that the onset of the silly season needn't mean dressing like a colour-crazed teenybopper. You heard it here first. (£800, matchesfashion.com)