Handwoven silk dress from People tree

Christmas, New Year and everything in between – if there is ever a time a girl needs a new dress, it has to be now.

The perfect party frock should be the kind that makes you look and feel amazing. It will give you the confidence to walk into a room knowing you’re dynamite.

At this time of year the choice is huge, but some of the very best dresses are ethical ones.

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People Tree make consistently well designed clothes and this stand out number is no exception. Made with handwoven silk, the Paloma shift is a classic shape. The colour, a vibrant jewel purple, is a perfect antidote to the LBD this festive season. With its puffed sleeves and belt it is a style that is as easy to wear as it is chic.

£170.00 from www.peopletree.co.uk

Left to right in our gallery

1. This fabulous number gives a colour nod to fashion’s love affair with the 1980s. Its hot coral shade and full skirt are great fun and worn with black opaques your legs will seem endless. Designed by award-winning Goodone, the dress is fairly made in South Africa by Bambanani.

£65.00 from exclusiveroots.com

2. Lace is everywhere this season and it can be very flattering and easy to wear. This lace-trimmed dress for Sika is great way to let lace into your wardrobe. It has a self-tie belt and can be as flirty or buttoned up as you want. Team with chunky heels to make a statement or kitten heels for a fashion forward look.

£84.99 from www.jane-goldsmith.co.uk

3. This to-die-for piece by Urban Buzz is an easy way to reflect the huge-right-now sculptural trend. In organic cotton, the dress is reversible so you can wear it in either pink or red to suit your mood. Its draped back and asymmetric hem is bang on trend and just fabulous.

£80 from www.urban-buzz.com

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4. TaraStarlet.com maximises vintage materials and accessories and have a ‘petite carbon foot print.’  This pretty Pierrot Dress is available in black/white or black/black

£56 from tarastarlet.com

5. This 1950s style taffeta party dress with tulip skirt has two tucks at the front for an extra feminine silhouette, side invisible zip and boning and lining in the bodice. Available in a variety of colours.

£65 from Tara Starlet.com

6. Designing beautifully formed clothing, ethically made, Julia Smith has become well known for her exquisite pieces. The Evie dress is the result of a collaboration with the online ethical retailer, fashion-conscience. In hemp and wool with tulle overlay and mini train detail, it’s handmade to order in England. True slow fashion and well worth the wait.

£485 from www.fashion-conscience.com