Arriving With Something: Gifts for the Host, From Candles to Crystal
Gifts to take to a dinner or a weekend away: candles from Trudon and Aerin, glassware from Cabana, Lalique and Baccarat, Creed fragrance, and small leather and silver pieces.
Fashion /
Dressing for December: Sequins, Velvet and Satin for the Party Season
The sequinned, velvet and satin dresses we would wear to Christmas and New Year parties, with the evening bags, earrings and heels to go with them.
By Taiwo AdedayoEvery piece here has been chosen by our editors. We may earn a commission on some products.
The office party, the family dinner and New Year’s Eve can fall within a fortnight, and each asks for something a little different. These are the dresses we would wear, in sequins, velvet and satin, with the bags, earrings and heels to finish them, from £163 to £902, all in stock now.
Velvet 
Róhe, Shushu/Tong, WARDROBE.NYC
Róhe’s black velvet dress is sleeveless and slim, with a scoop neck, £575. Shushu/Tong’s velvet mini has a ruched V-neck, puffed sleeves and a full skater skirt, £260.
WARDROBE.NYC’s is smooth velvet, strapless, with internal boning and a satin lining, £360.
Earrings and heels
Rabanne, Self-Portrait, Magda Butrym, Valentino
Rabanne’s crystal-embellished oval hoops, £414, or Self-Portrait’s silver bows with a crystal fringe, £163.
Magda Butrym’s black satin pumps have a kitten heel and pearl embellishment, £650. Valentino Garavani’s Ladycrush, made in Italy, has crystal-embellished heels, £550.
How to plan for the season
Buy one piece that works for several events: a black velvet or satin dress changes with the earrings and the bag. Keep sequins for the night with the most dancing, and pair them with plain shoes. Check the invitation, and the venue, before choosing a hem length. And break in new heels at home first.
Watch: party outfit ideas
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