Six of the Best cocktail dresses

Purple Grecian dress

From: CC (formerly Country Casuals)

Price: 100

DETAIL: Gorgeous dress, which boosts busts while skimming over troublesome tummy area. Lovely rich damson colour with a satin sheen that's not too garish.

Suits: Slim pears and apples.

Key accessory: Snake hard case clutch, 8, Matalan.

Rose pink full skirt dress

From: Laura Ashley.

Price: 150.

DETAIL: There's something wonderfully Mad Men about this lovely rose pink dress with full skirt and sleeveless, high-neck bodice, complete with bow. Great buy.

Suits: Both curvy and petites.

Key accessory: Poppy pearl clutch , 45, Monsoon.

Silver/black beaded dress

From: Monsoon.

Price: 150.

DETAIL: Heavenly embellishment detail on this amazing Twenties /deco style dress – unusual and lots of fun without being overly shiny. Keep the rest simple.

Suits: Slender and boyish types.

Key accessory: Black clutch bag, 99, Hobbs.

Red fringed dress

From: Autograph at M&S.

Price: 55. Available mid-November.

DETAIL: A fabulous little number, timeless in appeal, Cabaret in style (but in a good way). Team with navy heels to add class and just add a clutch.

Suits: Slim to medium and petites.

Key accessory: Beaded clutch bag, 60, Monsoon.

Grey full skirted dress

From: Laura Ashley.

Price: 110.

DETAIL: Laura Ashley is really stepping up this season on the party front and this lovely charcoal version makes a lovely classy twist on the retro theme.

Suits: Slender, petites and curvy.

Key accessory: Silver embellished clutch bag, 20, Littlewoods.com

Black and pink ruffle dress

From: Limited at Marks & Spencer (from Nov 20).

Price: 45.

DETAIL: This is one of those dresses that looks better on than off and you don't have to be a complete stick to look good in it. Try with slinky cardi.

Suits: Slim to medium and curvy.

Key accessory: Purple clutch bag, 20, Next.