... hopefully, for all the right reasons. As the Christmas decorations go up, it's time to glam up for the office party season. Claire Schofield has tips on how to stand out.

Now that the first few doors on the advent calendar have been opened and the dusty old box of Christmas decorations has been dug out from the depths of the loft, it’s only natural to start feeling slightly giddy about the festivities which lie ahead. Of course, with a few weeks still to go, most of us will be spending our time trying to get all of those last minute details in order. Which means organising the food, battling the crowds in the shops, standing in maddeningly long queues for the till and attempting to stay calm when faced with a mountain of present wrapping – with so much to do, it can be a frustrating and stressful time of year, leaving little or no time to even consider what you are going to wear throughout the festive season. And when you throw a full-time job into the mix, it can all start to put a bit of a dampener on that merry festive cheer, even nefore it’s had a proper chance to get going. So when the office party crops up ahead of the big day, it can come as a welcome relief from the stress. As the office bash is usually the first in the line of Christmas festivities, you’ll want to kick of the party season in style. It’s a chance to swap the desk for the dance floor, the books for the bar and the smart work wear for a little bit of glitz and glam. While work life may demand more conservative attire in the way of tailored trousers and jackets, fitted blouses and sensible shoes, away from the desk you have the freedom to be a bit more adventurous – and maybe even surprise your colleagues by showing them another side of yourself. With tinsel and twinkly lights brightening up our homes, it’s only fair that some of that sparkle makes its way into our wardrobes. Sequins are a hot trend this season and nothing says festive like a glittering frock. Go bold and sophisticated with an elegant full-length sequinned dress, ideal for a formal black and white tie do, or opt for a cheeky short number to really dazzle and stand out on the dance floor. Or if you’d prefer to give a more subtle nod to the sparkle trend, embellished tops and skirts are ideal for creating an eye-catching outfit without having to go head-to-toe in glisten and glow. Shimmering metallics and glitter are hugely stylish at the moment, with silver and gold long-length skirts being the festive season’s must-have party items. The best way is to pair with a plain roll neck ribbed jumper and add a statement necklace for a chic finish. While sequins and sparkles may be the go-to items for a merry Christmas do, plush velvet is perhaps this season’s hottest trend, having ruled the runways far and wide. Rock the look with a smart velour jumpsuit, or a long-sleeved skater style or bodycon dress. Dark shades, such as black, royal blue and deep red, work best for a glamorous party outfit. Faux fur coats are also massively popular this winter, particularly in pretty pastel shades of pink. Teamed with a party dress, the look is both in-style and cosily warm for those cold December nights. You’ll be glad of it on the way there and back. Much like the festive clothing trends, accessories are anything but boring and bland. Chunky necklaces and statement earrings style staples this season, while a small sequinned or fur clutch bag is great for spicing up an outfit. Complete the look with a pair of sparkly heels, black glitter studded boots or velour shoes. Add a pair of shimmery socks or sheer ankle stockings if you’re wearing strappy heels, to add that extra bit of jazz. Give in to the lure of festive fashion and treat yourself to something sparkling and new to really dazzle your colleagues this Christmas. ‘Tis the season to shine.