Highclere waxed jacket, £279, Barbour; silk dress, £119, Ghost; purple and brown draped midi dress, £260, Essentiel Antwerp
The sparkle dress and leather jacket
Play with texture by mixing your fabrics because the last thing a sequin or metallic dress needs is more glitz in the form of a party coat. Instead, opt for the unexpected and throw a tailored biker jacket over an undeniably after-dark, ultra-feminine dress. The clash in both shape and texture will make both items look better, and the entire outfit more modern.
“It’s also about cost per wear – if you have a lovely warm jacket already, why can’t that go over your party dress instead of an especially bought coat you only wear in December?” asks Greenhill.
And if you want to tone-down a high-wattage dress at the party and not just on your way to it, try a leather shirt instead. “I would never wear head to toe glitz, but I do often throw a leather shirt over a camisole dress or a sequin skirt to give the entire outfit more edge,” says Greenhill.