Every Christmas party outfit needs a statement clutch bag.
A clutch bag is to women what a pocket square or skinny tie are to men: stylish, thought-out and never to be underestimated.
Yes, it needs holds all your evening's essentials (lipstick, phone, gum, debit card, tampon, keys) but it also needs to reveal a bit about you - the woman in possession of it - thats sparks a little intrigue.
For example, are you clashy? Trashy-cool? Confident? Classic? All of the above?
When it comes to styles, opt for any of the following: sequinned, studded, snakeskin, diamanté, metallic, perspex, slogan bearing or furry.
A faux fur fold-over clutch is a definite nod to the Autumn/Winter 2014 catwalk scene and will earn you serious style points. Especially if you've got the outerwear to go with it.
For ladies who don't trust themselves to hold onto their clutch all night (because after a few glasses of bubbly...) then choose a style with a wrist strap or detachable chain so that you can slide it over one shoulder if needs be.
The boxy, clear Santa Cruz clutch from Topshop (£40) is on our wish-list, as is the black printed leather style from Zara (£39.99).
Then there's the Anya Hindmarch 'Crisp Packet' clutch in metal from Boutique1.com (£1,054) that we, actually, can't live without.
If you're savvy you'll invest in something that you know will work with your entire winter wardrobe, if you're all about an impulse splurge then just make sure it's the sparkliest of them all.