THE RIGHT TROUSERS AND FRIENDS: CHRISTMAS PARTY SEPARATES - BY KAREN DACRE

If December to you, is all about sequins and sparkle, brace yourself: what I'm about to suggest is likely to go down like a tonne of sharp-edged, anthrax-laced, bricks. Ready? Here it comes.... it's time to tone down your look. By-pass festive hues of red, gold and sparkling silver and instead, opt for neutrals such as navy, camel and, dare I say it, black. 

Granted, on the surface, the notion to dress down during Santa Season may sound a lot more Scrooge than it does style-savvy but - thanks to 2010's infatuation with minimalist fashion - a pared-down approach to Christmas dressing is undoubtedly the way forward. At least, it is for die-hard fashion bunnies. 

Key to mastering a minimalist look is a selection of beautifully-cut separates. A silk blouse is a great investment and will work hard for your wardrobe. Try teaming a style in cream with a billowing pair of wide-leg trousers or a classic pencil-skirt. Similarly, a statement blazer in lace or velvet will work perfectly alongside a side-skimming skirt. The beauty of this look is that it works for both work and play (great news for socialites) and, when executed appropriately, looks ten times more sophisticated than your average party-frock-centred ensemble. If the thought of all that beige and black has you crying out for a bit of colour, don't despair but opt for a little leopard-print instead. A simple black blazer looks truly fierce alongside a animal-print pencil-skirt while a soft blouse in cream looks equally as eye-catching with the print. 

You see, there's so much more to life than sequins. 

By our guest editor - Karen Dacre