Ditch convention and go for broke for a showstopping Christmas party outfit

There are several rules the fashion world would have us obey when it comes to Christmas party dressing, the first, second, third and fourth of which are: sequins. The fifth rule is something about not kissing your boss at the office Christmas party. (Does that ever even happen, outside of the movies? Please, don’t all write in at once.) And the sixth revolves around white dresses, red wine and Christmas pudding.

Of course, because I am contrary, I have put together two Christmas-party-appropriate looks eschewing most senses of convention: a white dress, at Christmas; and a sumptuous velvet dress teamed with contrasting colours in the form of a stole and a leather clutch bag – and no LBDs to be found.

We all have different budgets – these looks vary in budget, style and styling. Penneys’ lace dress (€19) benefits from the addition of River Island’s beaded white belt but looks equally good on its own, with opaque tights.

Climbing all the way up the financial ladder, Badgley Mischka’s oxblood velvet dress (at €840) would want to be versatile. Although you won’t be wearing this number to pick up the messages, it will stand the test of time as a winter black-tie dress – and, knowing Irish weather, it may get some summer use as well. Miu Miu’s quilted clutch (€530) and Costume’s muted pink stole offset the red tones in the dress, as well as proving timeless pieces in themselves.

Perhaps it’s time to rewrite the Christmas rulebook – at least, sartorially speaking.

My rules? Wear something you can afford to spill red wine over or, at the very least, something that won’t show up the stains; if you can’t decide between showing off your chest or your legs, show off both; and, if all else fails, deck the limbs with cheap jewellery.

If it’s the right kind of Christmas party, then no one will know the difference.