It’s Chanukah next week, but if you feel anything like us at the JC, you are probably not in the mood for celebration. Luckily, fashion is on our side. As savvy JC-reading women know, black is having another big moment, allowing us to go to the Dark Side if we’re not in the mood for other the key party-season stories of sparkle and glitter.

Find LBDs including not-so-little ones in midi length or with sleeves at most price points from Chloe, Self-Portrait and Rixo to Cos, Mango, Monsoon and other high-street brands.
There’s plenty of black, as well as other muted colours, in the party-season staple velvet. Find desirable velvet blazers, trousers, jumpsuits and dresses at many high-street brands including Cos, Massimo Dutti, Monsoon, Mango and M&S.

As well as in velvet, find party-perfect bottom halves in metallic, silver pleather, or lavished with sequins at high-end and high- street brands. These can be paired with one of the season’s high-octane embroidered, sequinned, crystal-embellished or feather-lavished tops. Or dial down the glamour by pairing your fancy pants with a slouchy, oversized knit.

Alternatively, if the event mainly involves sitting round a table where only your top half is on view, team jeans, cargoes or other low-key, casual bottom halves with glittery, sparkly or velvet tops. They’re available at all price points. And if your celebration is a 5pm family candle-lighting, there are Chanukah jumpers and sweatshirts at Etsy and Amazon from around £21.