They've caused both whoops excitement and howls of derision. Some radiate class and elegance, others sizzle with sassiness and sexiness, and some... well, the less said, the better.

Yes, the frocks on Strictly Come Dancing are causing as much delight, and almost as much controversy, as the celebrity dancers themselves. How come Christine Bleakley always looks so gorgeous, even in the yellow fringed number she wore last Saturday (absolutely anyone else would have looked like Big Bird)? And what about John Sergeant's dance partner Kristina in her tiny silver sequin numbers – does she look fabulous, or a bit trashy? (Perfectly possible to look both, of course, and
I'd say she pulls it off magnificently.) Then there's Jodie Kidd, who is a 6ft supermodel – so why does she sometimes look so frumpy, in those voluminous long chiffon numbers they keep stuffing her into? It's a mystery, a comfort and maybe a lesson to us all.

The costume department start making the dresses – around 12 for each celebrity and professional female – in July. Each costume is tailor-made to fit the dancer and most have a leotard as their starting point. For those who require more support, bras are built in, and although most of us will never be fortunate enough to have a dress custom-made, it does show the importance of good underpinnings. Broadly speaking, the dresses fall into one of the three shape categories – the sassy, short, fringed or feathered numbers, the long, flowing, chiffon gowns and the tight, body-con numbers, as favoured by Kristina.

"As they move, the dresses have to move with them, " says Lisa Proctor of World of Dance at the Victoria Quarter in Leeds. "If you notice, you never see them right to the floor – they stop at the ankle."

Lisa's shop provides dance shoes from companies including Freed of London and Supadance.

"The main thing is that they have suede soles so they are flexible," she says.

For those inspired by the Strictly blend of elegance and sparkle for the upcoming party season, the High Street is bursting with glamorous gowns, both in black and in jewel bright shades of purple, sapphire, ruby, emerald and rich yellow golds. There's satin, silk, chiffon, lace and sequins galore too, so you really can indulge your inner dance goddess. More mature ladies can take a leaf from Cherie Lunghi and her elegant floaty numbers, while younger boppers with fab legs will find plenty of short, fringed and feathered dresses on offer. But remember, it takes confidence and clever corsetry to pull off a body-con look like Kristina's.

Whatever your shape or style, this Christmas, you shall go to the ball.