From festive sparkle to practical heels – Jess Cartner-Morley’s party season picks

Nope, not another gift guide (we’ve got plenty of them, don’t worry). No, I am here to remind you not to forget you, because you deserve a treat, too.

The best part of Christmas is the pre-game. The joy is in the anticipation, the excitement. The invitations, the wrapped gifts, even the flat-out panic of that moment when the Uber is outside and you still haven’t got any eye makeup on. This is the good bit, so enjoy it.

I am an absolute Christmas nut and, if I’m honest, I feel a bit melancholy by about noon on the day itself because it’s all over for another year. Go have fun right now: there is no time to lose.

Full disclosure: “essentials” may be overegging it. None of these are entirely necessary … but if you can’t spoil yourself at Christmas, when can you?

This shortlist of items are covered in a new column for the Filter.

Preloved sparkle

Preloved Givenchy earrings, £46
vestiairecollective.com

Think of these as your own, personal Christmas light switch-on ceremony. If you’re new to buying preloved fashion online, jewellery is a great place to start because you don’t have to worry about whether it will fit. My tip: when buying vintage earrings, don’t forget to check the small print to see whether they are for pierced ears or clip-ons, as I’ve been caught out by this.

A frock chic enough for Holly Golightly

Bow-back dress, £119
arket.com

Stop it. I can’t cope with how chic this dress is. The clean neckline and neat front seam are super-refined, but the killer punch is the back view: two outsize bows against a low V cut-out. Wear with a slicked-back bun, ballet flats and simple hoop earrings.

A not-too-high party shoe

Corsage court shoe, £39.50
marksandspencer.com

I am slightly reluctant to tell you about these because I managed to refrain from buying them when I tried them on in the Marble Arch store the other day. But I can’t stop thinking about them, so please can you promise not to buy up all the size 5s? The photos online don’t do them justice. They look really swanky. They’re not too high – I wrote about my love of a fancy low-heel shoe not long ago – and have a flared heel, which helps distribute your weight more comfortably and saves you from getting stuck in escalator ridges on the tube home.

Honeycomb pattern tights

Charnos honeycomb tights, £14
johnlewis.com

Opaque tights get so boring after a while. I love a polka dot or sheer tight for dressy occasions, but they read as a bit silly for the office. Herringbone or honeycomb designs are cheerful without being silly.

A party skirt for midi fans

Gold twist-detail midi skirt, £45
riverisland.com

If you’re not a short-skirt person, shopping for party wear can be dispiriting and weirdly alienating. Hello, The Shops, are you listening: not everyone wants to wear a bum-scraping hemline! So I love this sexy calf-length number. Wear with a lace trim cami, or just a navy jumper. Great price, too.

What’s hot – and what’s most definitely not – this week

Going up

Kris Kringle | A “weirdly hot” Father Christmas, who is appearing in ads for Target in the US, is causing some unseasonal heat under the collar. Santa’s here to sleigh (sorry).

Podiatry | An unlikely pairing finds anarchic fashion house Balenciaga teaming up with orthopedic footwear specialists Scholl to incorporate cork footbeds into skyscraper-stilettos. Party feet be gone.

“Educated grey” | A compelling description of the colour of old pants that have been washed multiple times. Thanks to Kristin Scott Thomas on Bella Freud’s podcast for making our past-it knickers feel more highbrow.

Going down

Wreaths | First coquette bows came for hair. Now supersized versions have come for front doors.

Traditional table plans | At the Parisian brand Sézane’s recent Christmas soiree, guests sat zigzagged along a table that snaked around the room. Way to avoid direct eye contact.

Micro hearts | Searches for sardine tattoos are up 80% on Pinterest. Ortiz can on the mood board?