December’s best party dresses

A fifties-style frock in crimson red? Ideal for Christmas day.

£171.75, hobbs.co.uk

With it's adorable collar detail and nipped in waist, this dress has shot straight to the top of our Christmas list.

Rose beaded dress, £295, whistles.co.uk

This cool tartan sequin mini dress with fringing with take you through the party season and beyond.

Ashish dress, £965, brownsfashion.com

Work edgy, boho chic just like the Parisians in an Isabel Marant dress.

Isabel Marant Nelcie dress, £2,120, matchesfashion.com

An elegant cocktail dress with flattering ruching at the waist.

French Connection silk ruched dress, £97.50, johnlewis.com

An elegant embellished cocktail dress with delicate sheer sleeves.

Alice by Temperley cocktail dress, £469, harrods.com

The ASOS Salon range is full of high end party pieces - we think this shirt dress is perfect for pre-Christmas drinks.

£65, asos.com

Grungy glamour from the king of New York cool, Alexander Wang.

Alexander Wang silk dress, £490, brownsfashion.com

Wear this gorgeous Christopher Kane dress to the office party and rack up some serious style credentials.

Christopher Kane lace dress, £1,785, brownsfashion.com

December is the only time of year where it's acceptable to wear metallics constantly. Save this bronze number for New Year's Eve.

Biba one-shoulder maxi-dress, £295, houseoffraser.co.uk

This sixties-style shift will work with flats or peep-toe pumps.

Antonio Marras loose dress, £849, farfetch.com

Monochrome and with a statement neckline - this dress ticks off two trend boxes.

£135, coast-stores.com

This plaid dress from super cool french label Carven is sure to bring some festive cheer.

Carven plaid dress, £450, farfetch.com

A festive glittery pattern and cute bow detail make this frock perfect for Christmas day.

Rainbow lurex bow dress, £80, topshop.com

The Duchess of Cambridge was seen stocking up on Christmas outfits at LK Bennett - this fuchsia velvet dress would certainly fit the bill.

£225, lkbennett.com

A bold red dress that will wow at work drinks.

Love Moschino shift dress, £250, my-wardrobe.com

A sparkling, sleeveless shift in a subtle dove grey.

Per Una Speziale dress, £119, marksandspencer.com

A bright maxi-dress in stretchy jersey - very forgiving after one too many mince pies.

Osman Yousefzada for John Lewis dress, £250, johnlewis.com

Feel like a snow queen in this sequinned wrap dress.

By Malene Birger dress, £670, harveynichols.com

Comfortable and slouchy, but with just the right amount of glitz to be party appropriate.

£179, jigsaw-online.com

Showcase a beautiful silhouette in this sweeping gown.

Amanda Wakeley dress, £895, net-a-porter.com

This cheeky McQ frock adds a bit of fun to party season dressing.

£365, harveynichols.com

A classic shape and style, in this season's staple - the polka dot.

Dasha black bustier dress, £189, reissonline.com

Team this sweet scalloped hem dress with a statement necklace and platform heels.

£495, my-wardrobe.com

A very mod sequin shift from super stylist and designer Rachel Zoe.

Rachel Zoe Peggy dress, £415, selfridges.com

A flattering, waist-defining dress in a rich jacquard print.

Jacquard flare dress, £99.50, bananarepublic.gap.eu

A printed silk shift that will also take you into Spring.

Peter Pilotto dress, £1,035, net-a-porter.com

The elegant cut and draping make this high street piece look designer.

Asymmetric lace dress, £69.99, zara.com

Naturally, Beyonce's fashion line has plenty of dresses made by the dance floor.

House of Dereon sequin dress, £100, selfridges.com

Stay ahead of the curve in a Pre spring/summer 2012 dress from DVF.

Diane Von Furstenberg dress, £414, matchesfashion.com