Why one dress will see you through party season

For some people, half the pleasure of going out is changing into something spectacular. They have a dedicated section of party clothes, because the idea of twiddling their basic workaday kegs around into something fit for the evening, by adding some earrings or heels, is as depressing as finding themselves at one of Berlusconi’s bunga bunga parties when they thought they were going to an elegant soirée with the Clooneys.

I get that. But sometimes you need an outfit that can do all kinds of occasions. Nights out, days in, carol concerts or Ronnie Scott’s. Also, haven’t you noticed how in winter, especially at weekends, brunch is the new dinner and even dinner gets earlier and earlier? Dress codes – you can’t take your eye off them for a moment.

The solution is a Go Anywhere Dress. There are a number out there, but here’s one I found earlier – this time last year, when I acquired it in a soft shade of earth that sometimes looked olive, and other times was definitely brown. I figured that’s what velvet does. It’s why it’s so great (that and the fact that it’s virtually creaseproof). You can never be sure quite how it’s going to look in any given light. It brings texture where there is no pattern (pattern is not generally versatile) and

jeopardy where there was none.

I don’t mean to imply it’s dull. I know from last year’s outings, this style, reissued this year in different colours, attracts an astonishing amount of compliments for something so easygoing and lo-fi.

Any of the dresses here would do the same service. Velvet is the key. Soft, cosy – even when it’s strapless like this Boden one. Belt it. Don’t belt it. Throw any kind of footwear at it. Layer it over a jumper or T-shirt or under a jacket. Shovel on a lorry full of necklaces or wear absolutely none. Sex it up or go the full Florence + the Machine vibe, with floaty scarves and biker boots.

The one rule is to find a dress with inherent simplicity. Slim on the shoulders but flowy, and there’s none of the simpering Victoriana that’s starting to look a bit creepy on grown women. If it looks effortless, you can make it your own, wearing it with the same nonchalance as you would a pair of jeans, a jumpsuit or whatever your normal happy go-to is.

As for versatile make-up, Jones Road’s tinted skin balms, which come in eight shades, are genius – buildable sheer colour for cheeks, eyes, lips or the whole face. It’s up to you what else you add – smoky eyes or a trace of mascara. It’s the definition of Go Anywhere Beauty.