‘TIS THAT time of year again when you need to put your glad rags on and your best (heeled) foot forward - all in the name of Christmas.

So make sure this festive season is your most stylish one yet, by planning what to wear before all your dos - be it with work, the family, or a night out on the town.

Now’s the time to get sorted to avoid that last minute next-day-delivery purchase which will send you and your bank balance into despair during the period when everything is meant to be merry.

An important thing to realise is all that glitters isn’t necessarily gold when it comes to the wide availability of sequinned and sparkly items on the high street.

But that’s not to say the high street hasn’t got some winners if your heart is set on all things shiny.

This year New Look has a range of stylish party dresses such as their navy strappy metallic mini dress at £19.99 which is perfect for a night out on the town.

Check out their sparkly black lurex diamond print 3/4 sleeve bodycon dress at £14.99 - it’s a bargain that is sure to turn heads.

For those wanting a pop of colour, River Island has some great dresses - a stand out piece is the blue strappy bodycon dress at £50. It’s a bit pricier but well worth the investment as it can be mixed and matched for a variety of festive occasions by altering your accessories.

Its true to say that good accessories can make all the difference and M&S have pulled it out of the bag this year with a range of party-perfect accessories including a Collection faux fur tippet, £25, which adds a touch of glamour.

The M&S party range also has some beautiful dresses perfect for all ages and occasions such as the Per Una velvet dress, £69, with flattering draping detail - perfect for the sophisticated woman.

Supermarkets have also upped their game this festive season with some great pieces from ASDA which you can pick up as you do your food shop.

Such highlights include the bardot lace dress- at £20 it’s a price to be merry about.

For those who want to be a bit different this year consider a stylish tuxe for a modern take on luxe.

Check out the tuxe range from Topshop where the £50 faux leather waistband trousers and matching Croc Tuxe blazer, £58 are likely to become hard-working pieces in your wardrobe that will last longer than the festive season.

For those more daring, Topshop also offers a range of suits and tuxes in a variety of textures including velvet and sequins.

It’s also essential not to underestimate the importance of good underwear and the benefits it can bring to your look.

Again M&S are heroes on this front with their collection of sheer tights, from £8, which are specially adapted to keep your toes warm on even the coldest of nights.

A top pick from this range is the Autograph Warm Toes Hosiery - these sheer, ladder-resistant tights are enforced with merino wool underfoot and around the toes to ensure your feet stay warm and cosy.

Their famous MagicwearTM which starts at £19.50 is also worth checking out. Using clever multi-zoned technology to smooth the silhouette in the right places, without visible seams, their new range has extra firming in the tummy zone to give flattening results.

Happy shopping!

Top tips to survive the party season

• Good accessories make all the difference.

• Remember to take a photo of yourself before you go out as some outfits can be see-through or unflattering.

• Beware of popular dresses on the high street to avoid someone turning up in the same dress.

• Don’t forget the importance of good underwear and tights.

• Think outside the box: dresses aren’t necessarily the best option.

• Practicality is not to be underestimated. Think where you’re going- you need to feel comfortable to look stunning.

• Go for what suits you rather than going for the trends, no matter how on trend you are it doesn’t mean you look good.

• Online can solve high street nightmares, but make sure you order in plenty of time for your night out.