• 

  Super Deluxe Santa Outfit £215

  At Angel’s Fancy Dress they have “Bah Humbug” hats, Christmas tree outfits (perfect for those wacky primary school nativity plays), eyebrow whiteners for Santa, elf boots, donkeys, reindeers, gingerbread men, lady Santas and much more. Our personal favourite is the “White Russian” oufit at only £24.99 it’s a bargain sexy Winter outfit. Click here to see all of the Christmas outfits.

• Joker’s Masquerade has some great Christmas outfits including child nativity play costumes, Santa suits and pets outfits! Click here to see their seasonal items.
• E-fancy dress have some great historical outfits – especially useful for pantomimes and dressing up as Elton John / Marie Antoinette.Click here to see the historical outfits.
• Partybox have party masks for masquerades, wigs, face paint, a children’s Christmas play category, kids and adult Christmas fancy dress outfits. Click here to have a look.

Contents

1. Cheap as Chips

2. Reaching New Heights

3. Dare to be Different

4. Check It Out

5. Designers go Highstreet

6. Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh

7. Long Dresses

8. The Ultimate Christmas Dresses

Cheap as Chips

There’s no need to stretch your purse over yuletide – we’ve tracked down some great bargains for that essential Christmas party:

Amara Satin Dress £12.95

Amara Satin Dress £12.95:

Stretch satin dress with gem and sequin detailed neckline. Back split and side zip fastening. Fully lined. 93% Polyester, 7% Elastane. Lining: Polyester. Handwash Length: 97cm (381/2in).

Delivery is £4-£5 dependent on where you are in the UK.

Urban Outfitters have a sale on currently and do a couple of good Little Black Dresses for £9.99. Standard delivery is £4.99 and recipients must sign for the delivery. Peacocks do an off-the-shoulder black chiffon dress for £14.

Reaching New Heights

For tall women, it can be difficult to find an appropriate dress. Long Tall Sally are great for providing online fashion for the loftier lady:

At Long Tall Sally we exclusively design fashion for women 5ft 8″ or above, with everything perfectly proportioned for longer bodies and legs. Our collection is available in sizes 10-20 with leg lengths in 34″, 36″ and 38″ and a co-ordinating range of accessories and shoes available in sizes 7-11.

Their dresses will actually reach the floor! You won’t have to pay extra, either, as their prices are well within the range of the rest of our picks. Check out this bejewelled chiffon dress for £75:

Grey Chiffon Dress £75

 CX Boutique

Dare to be Different

CX Boutique offer a wide range of original and quirky outfits at great prices. Stand out from the crowd without breaking the bank. This red 50’s halterneck dress is only £45. With bows, a flared skirt and a striking red fabric, your Christmas party cannot be dull. The Party Dress by Boden (£125) is similarly striking and different to anything you will find on the highstreet. There is little danger of running into someone wearing the same dress as this Twister style pattern, has large circles of varying colour printed across the dress. It cannot be shoehorned into any of this season’s styles.

Be as bright as the baubles on the Christmas tree with our selection of short sequinned dresses. There’s a cherry coloured sequin dress by Ashish for £198, a gold sequin dress by P.A.R.O.S.H. for £150, and a sequinned party dress by Diane von Furstenberg in blue for £665. There are budget sequin dresses available from Peacocks for £18 – one in black and one in silver. There’s a red off-the-shoulder sequin dress from Dorothy Perkins for £35 – as recommended by Gok Wan.

There’s also a bright pink floaty frock available from Norweigan designer Leila Hafzi. It’s £124 from La Redoute and is made from pure silk.

Check It Out

Check is a hot trend this season. It’s been seen everywhere from the catwalks to morning television. There’s no more perfect time to wear check than Christmas, when thought turn to cosy Scottish tartan and highland festivities. Because of its popularity, you can easily find a check dress to suit your taste and price range.

• Peacocks have two strapless tartan dresses with bows at £22 – one red and one black.
• La Redoute have a choice of one cowl neck black and white check dress for £29 or a 3/4 length sleeve flannel dark check dress for £39.
• Dorothy Perkins have a blue tartan tie-waist dress with shoulder straps at £35.
• There’s a choice of two different check dresses at Next. There’s a purple tartan belted boob-tube dress or a black and white check version. Both are £55 and available in the party wear section.
• There are upmarket versions by Marc Jacobs and Valentino available. The couture purple check dress by Marc Jacobs is £304 and made from  woollen flannel, available in sizes 6-10. The black and white check jacquard dress by R.E.D. Valentino is £130 and is availble in sizes 10-14.
  

  Designers Go Highstreet

  Littlewoods now have some great labels under their roof, and at affordable prices too. Get a richly coloured dress for Christmas so that you aren’t drowned out by the deep colours on the Christmas tree or decorations. Littlewoods’ occasion wear is notably colourful, including a great cobalt blue vintage dress from Love Label (£49), a deep red satin number from Nicholas Millington (£89) and this beautiful dark-green wrap dress from Amanda Wakeley (£69). Click on the picture and to find out more.

  Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh

  

  Autograph Bow Dress £69

  Autograph Occasions Side Bow Dress £69.00

  Marks and Spencer have an excellent range of affordable party dresses – many of them knee length or full-length allowing a little more modesty for party-goers than many highstreet brands. According to them:

  Beautifully designed and luxurious, this exclusive dress is detailed with a large side bow. A stunningly glamorous style statement, perfect for elegant occasions

  Composition: 74% acetate, 22% polyamide Lining: 100% polyester Care Instructions: Dry clean

  There’s even a video of this dress, to watch it click here. Among their best dresses are bright greens, blues and purples as well as the traditional Christmas blacks, silver and golds. To see the whole collection, click here.

  

  Solid Kansas Dress £110

  All Saints Solid Kansas Dress £110

  Silk sheer dress with cut out back and frill tiered hem

  This beautiful dress from All Saints looks as though it is made of gold. The stylish tiered hem and loose tailoring, make this piece a perfect alternative from corseted dresses and pencil skirts. All Saints recommend wearing this dress with heavy black boots and a black tassled handbag. This item is ideal for work parties.

  

  Tallulah Dress £120

  Tallulah Dress £120.00 (French Connection)
  

  Vintage Lace Prom Dress, Dry Clean, 100% Nylon (100% Cotton Lining)

  This dress is a perfect sugar plum fairy cocktail dress. The gold stars and the tutu-style skirt make a festive combination. Ideal for parties over Christmas time.

  For a cheaper version, try the Miso Jacquard Prom Dress from Republic. It’s only £39.99 and has a similar design. It’s £4.50 for delivery – cheaper if you spend more. Or there’s a lacy version in similar colours at £45 from Marks and Spencer (free standard delivery over £30).

  For pure luxury, there is a very gold, short brocade dress by Marc Jacobs at a discount price of £344. Available in sizes 6-12, £5.50 delivery or £15 express. For more gold there’s a stretch satin number by Jean Paul Gaultier (£214), a Japanese-inspired pattern from Galliano (£139) and a super-slinky jersey dress in gold by Pollini (£548).
  

  Long Dresses

  Angelina Jolie started the maxi dress phenomenon at the Cannes Film Festival. Bear in mind that one must always match a dinner jacket with a full length dress – no cocktail dresses alongside bow ties. Choose from these maxi dresses for dinner parties and balls:

  John Lewis Esme Long Devore Dress, Black £180

  Patterned with autumnal leaves… the neckline is beautiful, comprising of black strap detailing that also creates a halterneck.

  

  Esme Long Devore Dress from John Lewis £180

  Autograph Occasions Grecian Maxi Dress £99.00 Marks & Spencer

  Beautifully designed and luxurious, this exclusive dress is detailed with a ruched metallic design. A stunningly glamorous style statement, perfect for elegant occasions.

  

  Grecian Maxi Dress £99 from Marks & Spencer

  This really is an elegant statement in gold.

  100% silk Lining: 100% polyester Machine washable even at 30°
  

  The Ultimate Christmas Dresses

  If you have a Christmas film premiere lined up, mince pies with the directors on Christmas Eve, or Ferrero Rocher with the Ambassador in your diary, you’re going to need something really special.

  John Galliano does a long taffeta dress complete with bows, pleating and frills for £1,954.

  

  Long Taffeta Dress by John Galliano £1,954

  Stella McCartney does an equally voluminous full-length dress in grey or black. The art deco lines and A-line shape make this satin creation a brave choice for fashion-conscious party-goers. It is available in sizes 6-10 for £1,758.

  

  Stella McCartney Long Satin Dress £1,758

  The 3/4 length jacquard dress from Rodarte rises to the occasion with its artistic patterned hem, sparkling net sash and gathered bow at the waist. The assymetrical neckline and high fashion nature of this piece lend it the necessary gravitas for a big occasion. It is only available in size 8 and costs £1,124 plus £5.50 delivery or £15 express.

  

  By Rodarte