Ban the Bling: 12 dresses to wear to a Christmas party

Sequins; you either love them or you hate them.

And come Christmas party season, they’re out in full force – all multi-faceted, shiny, sparkly pieces of them.

If you’re in the hate camp, finding a party dress without sequins used to be a bit tricky; December is their time to shine after all, metaphorically and literally.

But the high street has finally listened to women who don’t want to revert back to being a 12-year-old at a disco, and thrown up a myrid of luxe, sumptuous options that are far more grown up. Here are the best of the bunch.

Velvet

If you’re a tactile type, velvet is for you – just be prepared for your co-workers or family members to be stroking you all night.

Black is the obvious colour for velvet but jewel tones work well too, particularly emerald green. It’s a fast track to goddess status.

3 of the best velvet dresses:

Studio 8 Eva Dress, £130

Monsoon Tyra Velvet Dress, £69

Whistles Cold Shoulder Dress, £140

Metallic

If you want the wow factor, a metallic dress should cut it – think bronze, pewter and metallic blues as well as the more traditional gold and silver.

The daring types can even take it one shade further and mix their metals; it is Christmas after all.

3 of the best metallic dresses:

Victoria Victoria Beckham Dress, £395 (exclusive to mytheresa.com)

Reiss Hartley Bodycon Dress, £195

Myleene Klass for Littlewoods Maxi Dress, £65

Lace

Once the doyenne of doilies, lace is now a go-to for occasion wear and in particular, dresses.

You can keep things classic with a pencil skirt and longer sleeved dress or for a more 2016 look, look for fine, delicate lace or peekaboo detailing on the dress.

3 of the best lace dresses:

Topshop Shift Dress, £100

LK Bennett Aisha Dress, £350

Zara Lace Midi Dress, £59.99

Jacquard

Think of jacquard as the lovechild of metallic finishes and prim, stiff fabrics – in other words, a subtle shimmering sweetness that works best on dramatic dresses.

The detail is in the pattern, which can be pared back and pretty or a welcome assault on the senses.

3 of the best jacquard dresses:

Joy Courtland Dress, £89

Warehouse Star Print Dress, £55

Ted Baker Opulent Dress, £229