Party

Whether you're the type of person who carries your life with you everywhere or you're a minimalist, you've gotta admit that a night out is much more fun when you've only got a small bag instead of a shoulder pain-inducing handbag that knocks everyone in your way. As it's New Year's Eve we thought it was a good time to revisit party bag essentials — click through to see the only things you need to bring (aside from super essentials such as your phone, keys, ID and money), from fold-up flats to lipstick with an in-built mirror, and have a fantastic time tonight whatever you're doing!

Celebrities have a million excuses to dress up — another premiere, another red carpet, another dinner, or award show — so who better to cull a little party-dressing inspiration from? We've had our eye on this pack of glamazons, like Olivia Palermo, Brooklyn Decker and Ashley Madewke, making the rounds in sparkly cocktail dresses, peplum-trimmed sheaths, and even a jumpsuit or two (more on that inside!) as they've hit their respective events. Now, we're giving you a month-long recap on their gorgeous ensembles to repurpose for your most eventful time of the year. Hoping to nail down your look for New Year's Eve? Or seeking out the perfect little party dress for your best friend's fete? Click on for 31 days of holiday-party material, all courtesy of some very fabulously, festively attired celebs. — Additional reporting by Brittney Stephens

There are only three sleeps until New Year’s Eve! Whatever your plans may be for ringing in 2013 — a low key house party, a fancy soiree, camping out all day for a great fireworks-viewing spot — we’ve got a selection of recent celebrity looks to draw inspiration from for the big day and night. From Lara Bingle’s luminous glow to Diane Kruger’s top knot to Cara Delevingne’s sexy, brown smoky eye, click through for their beauty up close, as well as some product recommendations so you can get the look at home.

I’ve had a year-long love affair with bright lipstick but for 2013 I’m looking to switch beauty gears and return the focus to my eyes. As a result I’ve had to go back to basics with looks such as the smouldering and sexy black smoky eye, which I’m trying to perfect in time for New Year’s Eve. The funny thing, though, is that its appeal isn’t in its perfectness but in its slightly unkempt appearance. I’ve been practising a few smoky eyes at night with different products to see what goes the distance so I don’t look too dishevelled when the clock strikes midnight. Click through to see my ultimate combo.

The northern hemisphere might be knee-deep in snow right now, but it's not reason we can't put this sartorial styling guide on ice for a few months. We may not feel like wearing the cosy knits and clever layering from J.Crew's holiday look book right now, but there are some take-home tips that we can put into practise now, and later. Whether you use the festive red on white on camel colour combo for a chic Christmas day look, or want to save that nifty shirt-under-sequin-sweater idea for the cooler months, we think there's plenty of value in flicking through the US chain's latest offering, seasonality be-damned.

Deciding what you wear to your end-of-year work Christmas party is an important call. You want to something that says celebratory without jeopardising your professional cred. Our tip is to keep the silhouette proper, but have fun with colour and embellishment. A pair of punchy palazzo pants? Perfect. A pair of silver-foiled skinny jeans? You got the idea. The Sugar pod have kindly submitted their top two office-shindig selects for your perusal, so step inside and get inspired. Just for goodness sake, watch your champas intake and save your best dirty dancing for a GNO.

The LBD gets an even sexier tilt when you add a little lace — just look to Eva Mendes's latest for the full LBLD effect. Eva again solidified her status as a Hollywood bombshell with one curve-conscious lace Dolce & Gabbana sheath — but she's not the only celeb who knows the sultry potential of the LBLD. Keri Russell turned up the drama in a lace-inset black sheath, while Karolina Kurkova tempered the all-out sultry vibe of her Chantilly lace dress with a wool vest. There's something a little dark, incredibly sexy, and decidedly seasonal in each of these styles — plus the many more to flip through inside. Click on to get inspired by every iteration of the little black lace dress, then shop our editors' picks just in time for all of your end-of-year soirées ahead.