Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? Not likely, for this year, like most years, you've decided it's just GOT to be black.

Black for sophistication, for flattering the figure and wrapping you up in an elegance other colours can only dream of. And, of course, for making you look like everyone else at the party if you're not careful...

Designers reckon that more than 90 per cent of women at any party will opt for black. It's not just a British phenomenon, either the chic French like the severest shade nearly as much as we do.

But when the lights are low and the party's in full swing, how can you make sure you don't look like a woman soldier in somebody's private black-clad army? You can pick your black with care. Think first of all about how you want to look is your Christmas image going to be sexy and smouldering, or cool and sophisticated?

If it's the first, that little black number is likely to be very little indeed, but the sophisticated woman will probably go for something a little more subtly attractive.

Black can be dull, but not if you add some sparkle.

This Christmas, the dance floor will be dazzling with beaded and sequinned dresses, which catch the light as you move and any roving eyes, too.

The romantic will choose crushed velvet, while the daring can go for semi-transparent dresses in lace and chiffons over pretty bodies.

Make the difference with accessories; drape an elegant leopard-print scarf across your shoulders (Monsoon have a wonderful selection of scarfs); put some sparklers in your ears.

Paint your fingernails gold or silver, or get your hairdresser to do something special with your hair.

And, of course, pick your partner for the evening with care. After all, there's no trendier accessory than a handsome chap on your arm!