Wardrobing: A Christmas party outfit fit for a teen

Q Every year I get to pick out a Christmas day outfit and wear it while making visits with my family. This year, I'm going out for New Year's Eve too, and I want an outfit that will work for both days. Can you help? I'm 17. Eithne, Louth

A I wish I could turn back time and be more like you. At 17, I was an unconvincing goth and every outfit was the same shade of black. It didn't work for Christmas and it only worked for new year's eve because I spent most of the night in the corner reading the short stories of Edgar Allan Poe.

You are young, but not so young that you need to be clad in a cutesy get-up that invites cheek-pinching from great-aunts. The temptation is to wear teeteringly high heels to declare your new status as an almost-adult, but this is foolish. Only the terrifyingly confident or terrifyingly high-maintenance wear heels on Christmas day. At your age, you are probably neither. Scare your parents by asking for these Saint Laurent glitter boots, then guide them to Asos.com for a lookalike version at 10 per cent of the price. They come in more colours than just pink. Just be sure to leave a trail of glitter in your wake.

Christmas day is not the time for sexy cutaway details, thigh-high splits and sheer-mesh panels. More exposed flesh means a high chance of burning yourself with molten turkey gravy. Make a splash with colour and pattern instead. This Topshop number is a double whammy of both leopard print and (you guessed it) extra glitter.

If all else fails and your parents are pressing you to go more conservative, go hard with OTT accessories.

H&M earrings €17.99, St Laurent boots, €745, Topshop dress, €42