Tis the season to be jolly fa la la la etc etc etc. Indeed, tis actually the prelude to the season when life becomes a carousel of parties and from experience one’s very own personal catwalk show and a chance to channel your inner red-carpet goddess. For heaven forbid a lady is seen in the same dress twice! Social suicide does not bode well prior to New Years Eve.
Investment, Investment, Investment
So what is a girl to do?
Beyonce in Atelier Versace
Well as with Crème de la Mer, diamonds and credit cards, a girl can never have too many party dresses. Yes, it can be pricey, but the trick is to buy timeless pieces from prominent designers. The quality of the fabric, the cut, the swish of a good hem and the dazzle of hand-stitched sequins, embroidery and embellishments all make for a good investment. Just look at Beyonce in Atelier Versace at this week’s MTV Europe Music Awards. Although she, and you, may not wear such a dress twice in one season I can guarantee that such a dress will announce itself from the back of your wardrobe sometime in the next 12 months and repeatedly for years to come. Such dresses need parading, they need to be loved and adored by you and your admirers and worn with pride. After all, tis the season to make a fashion statement, the noughties are almost over so we must dress up and party like its 2009!
Divine Dresses to Buy Now & Love Forever
Cheryl Cole in Matthew Williamson
Just for you, well me actually, as I simply can’t resist a bargain when it comes to evening wear (did I mention the Vera Wang I bought a year ago from Joseph and still not worn? An inspired collectible that will attend one of many parties this year) I have hunted, yes trawled the beautifully cornish stone pavements of the Village to reveal the very best party-wear investments that are in our boutiques right now.
Here they are in alphabetical order. I really couldn’t put them in any other order as I love them all equally and they are all very different in style. Not to mention I want every single item on this list but it being the season of goodwill I have decided to be unselfish and leave some available for you to buy too.
McQueen Dress £885 (was £1,770)
Drapery & Grecian Chic
Alexander McQueen’s black silk floor length dress is a swishy column of drapery and utterly divine. It was £1,770 and is now £885. Whatever shape you are, even pregnant, it is so totally wearable and is a dress that you will never get rid of. 
Strapless Body Con
All Saints has a body con dress at £73 (from £110). It will hug you and squeeze you in all the right places, add to that on-trend zip detail and towering heels and voila you too can look like J-Lo and Mrs Beckham.
Amanda Wakeley is undoubtedly the Queen of the strapless dress. Her amethyst strapless short satin dress is now £357 (was £595), perfect to show off your toned and sexy upper body just don’t overdo with chunky accessories. Aim for less is more to be graceful and sophisticated and don’t forget the strapless bra! For a less pricey alternative, Monsoon’s strapless black sequin cocktail dress is now £40 (was £135) and is stunning!
Sequins, Feathers & Beads
DvF Black Flapper Dress £2,448 (was £4,889)
One can never go wrong with a DVF number. Her iconic black feather & beaded flapper dress is now £2,448, yes expensive but it was £4,889. I can say no more. This dress is so fabulous it doesn’t need words.
Sequins are big news this year and almost every celeb has sported a silver version. Gerard Darel has a fabulous silver sequined shift dress at £120 (was £180).
Let’s not forget Luella, adored by the likes of Zooey Deschanel, Alexa Cheung and Peaches Geldof. Her black satin mini dress with bow and zip details is now £230 (was £325).
Matthew Williamson Sequin Dress was £1850, now £740
My favourite for sequins, feathers & beads is Matthew Williamson, for his textiles are tantalising and his colours are a celebration of the rainbow. His black and purple fox fur shrug is available for an amazing £720 (was £3,805) and his Technicolor sequin dress is £740 (was £1,850). These prices won’t last; they are currently on a further 20% promotion until 16 November, so hurry!
Classic Goddess
Jennifer Garner in Temperley Dress £890 (was £2,220)
If you haven’t discovered Temperley London then you must; and if you already own a Temperley dress then you’ll understand why I think this is possibly one of my favourite labels in the fashion universe. It’s not just the fact that they design amazing dresses in a myriad of fabrics, whether long, short, halterneck or strapless, every dress in any Temperley collection is too easy to fall in love with.
My favourite in the Temperley boutique right now is the midnight blue silk evening gown with jet beading as worn by Jennifer Garner at the UK Premiere of The Kingdom. A total investment at £890 (was £2,220).
Finally, there is a little black silk Gianni Versace number with ruffle detail; a creation of sophistication. Sadly I wasn’t able to get a photo but this is Versace and needs no explanation especially as it is now £1,022 (was £3,405).
Mission Accomplished
That was the extent of my in-depth mission, (I do have a day job you know) but I did see some lovely party-wear in the windows of Celine, Coast, D&G, Dior, French Connection, Hobbs, Joseph, Karen Millen, Reiss, Ted Baker and Valentino and many of them have offers. As for shoes (do not get me started), I am banned from Jimmy Choo as my enthusiasm puts off the other customers but peeping through the glass I saw some stunning black suede bow tie ankle boots with gold/black/white zig-zag heels. They told me on the phone they were £778 but are now £521. Hmmmmm. FYI there is Prada and Louboutin in Joseph and almost every designer boutique here stocks a selection of glorious, sexy footwear.
Golden Rules Not to Be Broken
Zooey Deschanel in Luella
Lastly no matter what you wear there are two golden rules. Underwear & accessories. Without these you may as well not bother. One can wear a bin-bag but invest in some good underwear to smooth out any lumps and bumps and no-one will know. Wolford has the magic “forming dress” in nude or black at £50 (was £75) and for accessories visit Marni, Pascal, Bulgari and Vivienne Westwood, her jewellery starts at £30. Lastly don’t forget to leave the house without a pouch for your credit card, business cards and lipgloss. I bought Alexander McQueen’s in black patent with gold zip for £70, it was £140 and therefore I feel no pain only pleasure.
Finally, happy shopping and please do post your Christmas fashion pictures on our Facebook fanpage. This season comes round but once a year so for a memorable party remember you must never drink & drive, that’s what chauffeurs are for and if you take a taxi make sure it is a licensed black taxi cab! Chic ladies in designer dresses do not bode well on public transport and Choos were not made for walking. You may want to leave the Oyster card at home.
p.s There is only 7 weeks left till Christmas and only 4 Gift Inspiration days for VIP Bicester Village Members. Don’t forget to sign up to get an invite.
After a leisurely lunch at Villandry, I embarked on the second leg of my expedition with renewed vigour. I had to do Smythson very quickly indeed otherwise I really would have bought the entire shop and as for Vivienne Westwood, well, ‘accessory heaven’ probably sums it up very succinctly. I didn’t buy ten sweaters in Ralph Lauren but I was sorely tempted by a mannish wool coat that I dithered over for a good twenty minutes but decided to leave as the sleeves were a touch too long. That said, Bicester Village offers an alterations service so if I’d wanted it badly enough I could easily have fixed that. As I predicted, I couldn’t leave Ralph Lauren empty-handed so I invested in a khaki green canvas tote bag which will serve me well as an everyday bag for all year round. That ticked one of my ‘luxury basics’ boxes. Next, to Wolford for the black long-sleeve body I’ve been wanting to buy for months. I entered with an open mind, thinking I might have to settle for less. But no, they had the perfect piece, in my size at a very good price. Another tick in the ‘luxury basics’ box.
There is a definite chill in the air these days.