'Tis the season to be glam

In the next few days you may be thinking of nothing more than opening some presents and lazing on the couch, but stretchy Christmas Day pants are not the outfit in which to herald in the New Year as Ellie Constantine discovers.

New Year's Eve is the biggest party of the year and preparing for it means you can stop thinking about gifts for others and start treating yourself again.

It may be nearing the end of the fashion season, but there are still plenty of great skirts and dresses for ladies and shirts and pants for men in stores.

Yvette Billot, fashion apparel buyer for Arthur Barnett, said there was an outfit for every body type and age bracket.

The key to finding it is to look for something which will flatter the figure.

One piece of advice she will give everyone is "get into colour".

She found people often moved towards black for everyday wear, but when it came to special occasions, colour came out and people made more of an effort.

Suppliers had cottoned on to the "party season" and had started providing stores with lines later in the season, she said.

For younger women, fitted, strapless dresses in bright fabric had proven popular, with many mimicking the latest celebrity looks.

Shorter styles are appropriate for this age group but for older women, the hemline tends to drop.

However, colour and style do not have to be compromised.

Rich hues and tailored fits are in demand.

Sleeveless dresses with higher necklines are also fashionable.

For those not looking for a dress, Ms Billot recommended duster coats and longline tunics worn over pants.

Many of these are in rich colours and fabrics and feature floral designs or a bit of sparkle.

While men often struggled to get dressed up, she encouraged them to be more adventurous and try the bolder prints and pink and purple tones of the season.

Gingham and florals offer men a way to add a point of difference to their wardrobe and when teamed with a casual jacket the prints should not overwhelm a blokey bloke.

For pants, dark jeans are still a staple but consider buying a casual pant which can be dressed up or down to cater for a range of events.

Slick Willy's manager Amy Henderson and assistant manager Lily Duffy were used to shoppers coming in at the last minute on New Year's Eve searching for something to wear.

They have simple advice for girls looking for a party outfit - keep it short, black and tight.

Classic little black dresses are still a must for every woman's wardrobe, but they have taken on some twists.

Sequined busts, chain-link straps and cut-out sections are just some ways designers are mixing it up for the younger set.

Cut-out styles, which show a bit of skin in interesting ways, are all the rage and will carry into next season so shoppers should not be afraid of spending a bit of cash.

For men, a classic T-shirt with a modern, bold print is key and the cut-out look also applies, but in terms of different fabrics cutting into others.

Miss Henderson also encouraged men to get into well-designed shorts.

More formal-looking pleated versions are available along with fashion-forward pieces and more casual denim.

Team them with a T-shirt or singlet for a more relaxed look or a shirt for something dressier.

Gingham shirts are stylish, in green, red and blue shades, while polka dots have also made a comeback for something a bit kookier.

Make an effort for New Year and start the year the way you hope to continue.

Get out there and get glam.