The fashion experts' guide to Christmas style

Want to know how to look super-sexy and stylish this party season? We asked five fashion experts how to do party glamour and got them to tell us what they'll be wearing on Christmas Day. Here's what they said...

The panel


Caryn Franklyn Howtolookgood.com	Lisa Butcher What Not to Wear	Susannah Crabb Marks & Spencer's (not pictured)

Rebecca Haynes Harvey Nichols	Emma Whitehair Reiss

Caryn Franklin, fashion expert

Caryn Franklin What she'll be wearing on Christmas Day
'I like this season's slouchy trousers, which I'll wear with my patent brogues indoors and then I'll put wellies on for outside. We always go for a big long walk on Christmas Day.'

Christmas party must-haves
With over 25 years' experience in the fashion industry, from The Clothes Show to Style Challenge, Caryn knows a gorgeous outfit when she sees one. We asked the woman behind Howtolookgood.com to tell us how to look good at Christmas.

For lunch with the family: 'A satin pussy bow blouse worn with slouchy trousers and flat shoes. That's what I'll be wearing.'
For Christmas drinks with friends: 'A sequin shift dress worn over a black polo neck. Try a patent leather belt to give this outfit a contemporary edge, though you may need to loosen this if you're eating!'
For a night on the town: 'A strict, structured look with heels is always hard to carry off if you want to let your hair down so go for a statement dress that is loosely fitted and allows for a bit of movement.'

Favourite shops
'For the best party wear on the high street, try River Island and Erotokritos at Urban Outfitters. If you're looking for something really special, go for a slinky, bespoke dress from Gorgeouscouture.com and finish off with Georgina Goodman heels.'

How to look party fabulous
'During the day, a statement piece of knitwear - maybe something with a metallic thread running through it - has that touchy feely 'at home' quality. After all, you will be eating, drinking and socialising. And if you're anything like me, you will have had two helpings of Christmas pudding and eaten all the chocolates from the tree, so an easy-to-wear tunic dress will camouflage a tummy. Wear with opaque black tights and patent heels.

Choose colour for the evening. There is something about bright colour, a rich claret, deep purple or sapphire blue that makes a statement in itself. And that's Christmas sorted!'

And what to avoid...
'Cleavage and Lurex during the day are never a good idea.'

What she wants for Christmas...
'Apart from world peace you mean? A bag from Nahui Ollin all made from recycled materials.'

Lisa Butcher, fashion expert, What Not to Wear

What she'll be wearing on Christmas Day
'Bikinis. I'm going to be in Chile in South America!'

What she'll be wearing on New Years Eve
'I have a shocking pink satin jacket from Pinko. It's a sillouete cut which is very in at the moment, sort of like a pink tuxedo. I'll pair it with some black cigarette pants and some high heels.'

Christmas party must haves

For lunch with the family
'An expandable waistband! I would suggest dressing in fabrics that don't crease too much because you'll be spending most of the time sitting down. Reds are always good for Christmas. I always make an effort to wear red, and emerald greens are lovely on the right skin tone.'
What about novelty earrings?
'My mum always buys me novelty earrings. I've had angels, Christmas trees, fairies, father Christmas. I put them on for the photos and take them right off again!'

For drinks with friends
'Rub on some fake tan - the tan's faded by December and pasty skin often just doesn't work with the glamorous outfits. I swear by Lancaster and Bobbi Brown.'

For a night on the town
'The military look's in at the moment and it's all about the tailored jacket. The tuxedo-style jacket's also very big. I love statement jewellery, so go a bit bling, but make sure not to go too over the top. If you're going for big earrings, make them the focus, it's all about balance.'
Sequins and sparkle?
'I'm not into too many sequins, you can end up looking like you belong on a Christmas tree. But sequined high heeled shoes, or on bags or belts can look fabulous. Another of my cardinal rules is no tights with open toed sandals, I think it looks awful.'

Favourite shops
'You can't go wrong with Top Shop. I also like Coast, and Cavalli. It can be a bit OTT, but I like to mix and match. Invest in classics and wear them to death - one of my coats that I wear all the time I bought from Gucci when I was 19, I just wear it differently now than I did then.'

How to make the transition from desk to disco
'Nip out in your lunch hour for a blow dry, and if you have time, get a speedy manicure. Toe nails are important, so pay them some attention too. Carry deodorant and a toothbrush. For fast make-up, concealer is a must, black kohl for the eyes and lashings of mascara.'

What she wants for Christmas...
'I'd love an iPhone, I probably won't get one but it's on my wish list!'

What are we set to see in 2008?
'I think we'll see a lot of very big prints which are great for bigger people like myself, but not so much for smaller people. The twiggy '60s and '70s look will continue to be in fashion. I think it's the end for leggings, and city shorts are soon set to down in history as a fad. Mind you we said that about Ugg boots! Skinny jeans are here to stay - the waist length will vary over time, but they're so versatile I think they're a fashion staple.'

Lisa has teamed up with Shloer to offer fashion top tips for the festive season. For more ideas and advice, go to Shloer.com.

Susannah Crabb, design manager, Marks & Spencer

What she'll be wearing on Christmas Day
'I'll be wearing my favourite vintage-inspired coat dress. It has a massive pussy bow and a super sexy fit! I'll be wearing it with glossy black tights and patent shoes. And if that's too warm, I'll slip into the futuristic winter white dress (pictured), which I'm going to splash out on too!'

Futuristic dress, £49.50, Limited Collection. Coat, £99 and cocktail ring, £25 all Marks & Spencer, Marksandspencer.com

Christmas party must-haves
As design manager for our M&S, Susannah gets to work on a whole range of fabulous party wear. Here are a few of her favourite things:

For a very special party: 'Our fairytale dress, in the softest hue of dusty lilac, worn with charcoal tights and patent shoes, accessorised with an oversized pewter clutch. It's beautiful, feminine and sexy and a Christmas party must-have. And we have a fab short fake fur coat to throw over the top too.'
For a night on the town: 'Our black chain mail, jewelled mini dress looks fab worn over the black 'heel out' leggings with patent flats. Or if you're in the mood to party, go for coloured tights instead.'
For show-stopping glamour: 'The bright pink party frock in 'hot off the catwalk pink' is amazing. Just add charcoal smooth tights and patent heels.'

How to look party fabulous
'Add a slightly casual touch by throwing a sexy blazer or fab biker jacket over a party frock, very this season! And always make time for a manicure. I love to have fab neon finger nails for a quirky personal touch. With the oversized cocktail ring (pictured) from Autograph, you'll sparkle all evening!'

And what to avoid...
'Leg warmers are a real no-no!'

What she wants for Christmas...
'Cashmere Pjs, to wear when I'm sipping pink champagne on Christmas Day!'

Rebecca Haynes, personal shopping manager, Harvey Nichols

Rebecca Haynes What she'll be wearing on Christmas Day
'I'll be wearing a pair of Christian Louboutin heels for sure, they work with everything! And I always rely on a great pair of jeans. At the moment, J Brand wide leg jeans are my favourites, with a cashmere cardigan or polo neck, great for mixing and matching.'

Christmas party must-haves
Shopping for the perfect party outfit at Harvey Nichols is a difficult job, but Rebecca agreed to do it. Talk about fashion heaven...

For day to evening: 'It's got to be Lanvin jewellery, which looks just as fabulous with jeans as evening wear.'
For a cocktail party: 'This great Zac Posen black cocktail dress (pictured), with some jewellery to mix and match, hoop earrings, cuffs, and an Anya Hindmarch clutch.'
Forever: 'Great heels make an outfit really special. Go for Miu Miu, Jimmy Choo or Christian Louboutin and wear with Christmas spirit and attitude!

Dress from a selection by Zac Posen, Shop.harveynichols.com (020 7235 5000)

How to look party fabulous
'If you want items that you can wear throughout the season, stick to more classic cuts and block colours. Red, pink and purple are key colours. Wear them as a full outfit by introducing accessories or by something as simple as your nail colour.'

'The three things that will instantly make you feel more groomed, even if your outfit is simple, are a great blow-dry, a manicure (short nails in dark colours are key for winter) and a tan, real or fake, to give you a Christmas glow!'

'Always carry a small kit with you to touch up make-up throughout the evening. Carry lip gloss, YSL Touche eclat and pressed powder to keep your look polished.'

And what to avoid...
'Glitz, embellishment and sequins are great but less is more.'

What she wants for Christmas...
'Where do I start? Louboutin heels, Alaia, anything from the new RM collection, Chanel Nail colours, the new Prada perfume, Nude Skincare. I could go on...'

Emma Whitehair, head of press, Reiss

Emma Whitehair What she'll be wearing on Christmas Day
'My Reiss long-sleeved bubble hem cashmere knitted dress with opaque tights and 'Newport' patent ankle boots to toughen the look up a bit.'

Christmas party must-haves
We asked Emma to scour the rails at the Reiss showroom to pick out this season's top three party pieces. Here's what she found:

For a date with mates: 'The 'Sonny' blouse in nude is a pretty and ultra-feminine chiffon and satin blouse that works best with skinny jeans and heels.'
For full-on glamour: 'The 'Josephine' strapless sweetheart neckline cocktail dress is perfect for Christmas parties and will certainly get you noticed. Victoria Beckham wore this dress in her TV programme, giving it the 'Posh' seal of approval!'
For that Christmas Eve big night out: 'My favourite piece is the 'Joyenne' silk tunic in electric blue (pictured). It looks fab with stirrup leggings and heels. The bright high-shine fabric gives a pop of colour to an otherwise dark winter palette and is quite an edgy look.'

Joyenne tunic, £79, Reiss.co.uk

How to look party fabulous
'The trend for opaque black tights is a Godsend for me as I have such pale skin. But I still like to plan what I'm going to wear in advance so I can regularly exfoliate and moisturise, and gradually build up a light fake tan. Make sure your skin is glowing if you're going to be wearing a revealing dress.'

And what to avoid...
'American tan tights! And, don't wear your day bag with your evening dress...invest in a clutch. Or check out the Reiss 'Stepney' wrist bag with dome shaped studs, to add a rock chick vibe to your party look.'

What she wants for Christmas...
'Black mesh Christian Louboutin stilettos.'