Finding the perfect New Year's Eve dress

Be honest with yourself before you start looking for a dress for New Year's Eve.That cut-out, skin-tight mini dress is not doing you any favours. Here’s how to find the perfect New Year’s Eve dress to party the night away.

• Is my level of extravagance age-appropriate?
• What are my best features?
• Which hemline length is most flattering and comfortable?
• How many parties have I been invited to (family, work, friends)?
• Will my budget permit me to indulge in a couple of accessories?
• What key pieces do I already own that I can build on?

You may be lucky enough to afford more than one dress for the holiday season; if not, a single strategic piece can be transformed into different party looks.

1. Wear it once without accessories.

2. Wear it a second time paired with a jacket and classic hairstyle.

3. Next time, switch up your accessories with stockings and a stylish shoe.

4. Finally, add a bit of whimsy with a belt or necklace, and wear comfortable shoes.

New Year's Eve is the perfect time to show off your best self, but it mustn’t be at the expense of making others feel uncomfortable. As for makeup, less is always more. Play up one feature with bold colour and mute the rest of your face with neutral tones. Remember that a little shimmer goes a long way, so don't overdo it.

You may love the idea of a strapless mini with a sweetheart neckline, but there won’t be much fabric to cover you. Instead, play up one area of the body at a time.

Mini skirt: Reveal the length of your legs. You can pair it with a sleeveless or strapless bodice, but keep the neckline appropriate to compensate for the bare leg.

Shoulders: Choose a strapless dress to emphasize your shoulders and collarbone. Otherwise, an asymmetrical one-shoulder dress oozes confidence and style.

Neckline: This is a tricky part; a beautiful neckline is elegant without being overly sexy. Larger busts should avoid too much exposure.

Back: A draped, backless dress with sheer fabric is a glamorous touch without being too revealing.

• If you have a collection of colourful accessories, jackets, shoes and jewellery, the little black dress will go with everything.
• If your wardrobe is somewhat on the dull side, mix things up with a little sequin. You can wear a sequin dress on its own or paired with a black blazer.
• If you’re unsure, split the difference and go for colours that glitter and sparkle. Though black, silver and gold are perennial favourites, try a little purple, blue or crimson.