Alongside all the gifts for your nearest and dearest, top of your shopping list right now should be a killer dress to see you through the cocktail parties and seasonal soirees that are no doubt crowding your December diary.

But how do you choose from the avalanche of eveningwear that has just landed in stores?

It's tempting to just grab the glitziest gown in sight, but if you really want to make an impact, you'd do better to consider your size and shape before you reach for the shop rails.

Whether you're pear-shaped or petite, boyish or busty, here are the five most desirable dresses of the season - one of them has your name written all over it.

THE WRAP DRESS

BEST FOR: Those with a larger bust

WHY? Because, in contrast, a high neckline gives the impression your 'ladies' are what is delightfully termed a 'uniboob'. Same goes for halter necks, which can push them too far north. A wrap or V-neck dress, on the other hand, separates and showcases your best assets beautifully.

Darker colours are more slimming, so if you want to go for a festive hue, make it burgundy rather than holly red, and be careful with all-over sequins or frills which can add bulk.

WEAR IT WITH: A supportive plunge bra. If you've never been properly measured, what are you waiting for? While you're shopping for your dress, head to the nearest lingerie department and do so immediately. It will change your life - or at least the fit of your party look.

TWO TO TRY:

:: M&Co Velvet Embellished Velour Wrap Dress, £49 (www.mandco.com)

:: Jenny Packham Designer Dark Red Sequin Embellished Maxi Dress, currently reduced to £157.50 from £225 (www.debenhams.com)

THE ILLUSION DRESS

BEST FOR: Curvy figures

WHY? Avoiding horizontal stripes is obvious for larger ladies, but an illusion dress goes one step further: carefully placed panels or embellishment giving the impression of a narrower silhouette. Just make sure the fabric is dense enough - jacquard is perfect - so it skims over any bumpy bits, and steer clear of ruffles or sparkle on areas you don't want to draw attention to, like the hips or bust.

WEAR IT WITH: Super-supportive underpinnings. Spanx or high-waisted control pants will enhance the slimming effect of your frock. Sizeable accessories are good too - chunky earrings and court shoes are proportionally better than dainty chains and skinny-strapped heels.

TWO TO TRY:

:: Neutral Lace Leaf Panel Dress, currently reduced to £40 from £70 (www.wallis.co.uk)

:: M&S Collection Drop A Dress Size White Dress, £89, available in store (www.marksandspencer.com)

THE BARDOT DRESS

BEST FOR: Boyish figures

WHY? Because you're lucky enough to be able to wear a strapless bra - or even go braless - without feeling dangerously unsupported in the chest region, so this sexy off-the-shoulder style fits like a glove. Keep the focus on your pins with a clingy bodycon number, or go girly with something skater or full-skirted.

A word of warning, though; make sure the neckline doesn't fall too low. It should hit just below the shoulder, otherwise it can have a depleting effect on your bust. If your Bardot has an empire line or high waist, even better.

WEAR IT WITH: A moulded cup or push-up strapless bra to add curves

TWO TO TRY:

:: Topshop Lace Hem Sequin Bardot Dress, £250, online exclusive (www.topshop.com)

:: Fever Fish Bardot Off Shoulder Dress, currently reduced to £24 from £30 (www.dorothyperkins.com)

THE PROM DRESS

BEST FOR: Pear shapes

WHY? Because you want to draw attention to your top half and skim over your bottom. A traditional Fifties prom style will do just that - as long as you bare in mind a couple of other pointers. First, the skirt shouldn't be too big, so a million layers of tulle is a no-no, and dark colours on the bottom are preferable. Second, make sure the waist is cinched in at your narrowest point, and look for eye-catching embellishment on the top half.

WEAR IT WITH: A blingy necklace (if the dress hasn't already got embellishment up top) to draw the eye upwards.

TWO TO TRY:

:: Lovedrobe Skater Dress, £49 (www.simplybe.co.uk)

:: Little Mistress Blue Embellished Dress, £60 (www.evans.co.uk)

THE DIP HEM DRESS

BEST FOR: Tall girls

WHY? So you can show off your enviable pins, but won't feel so exposed at the back. Plus, it's more dressy than a straight-up cocktail frock. A dip hem gives you the best of both worlds and it's easier than trying to find a maxi dress that doesn't stop somewhere north of your ankles.

Still worried about looking too lanky? Try a dress with contrasting colours on the top and bottom halves, so that it breaks up the long silhouette.

WEAR IT WITH: A skinny belt, if the dress is all one colour, or a bold necklace - but not both at the same time.

TWO TO TRY:

:: Lipsy Embellished Dip Hem Dress, £55 (www.asos.com)

:: Strapless Knot Front High Low Hem Dress, currently reduced to £22 from £46 (www.fashionworld.co.uk)

GET THE LOOK

Hot off the catwalk, Candice Swanepoel sizzled on the pink carpet at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show after party recently, in a long white barely-there gown, and you can steal her lacy look with House of CB's Nolita Dress, £150 (www.houseofcb.com). Don't want to flash quite as much flesh as the South African supermodel? A nude slip will spare your blushes without spoiling the floral applique effect.

BUY IT NOW

Looking for the perfect party bag to accompany your end-of-year ensemble? Well Dorothy Perkins has got, quite literally, just the thing. Let the 'Party Bag' Clutch Bag, £20, which comes in red or gold, spell out your festive intentions.

FASHION FLASH

:: Silence is cheaper

Want to save money on your Christmas shopping? Then avoid shops that are blasting the Crimbo tunes. Research from music licensing firm PPL shows that a quarter of people claim to be more generous with their gift purchases when festive music is played in store. The company also revealed the ten most played Christmas songs, with The Pogues' Fairytale Of New York topping the chart.

:: Dress decisions

The LBD still reigns supreme when it comes to party outfit picks. Rakuten Marketing analysed Twitter activity and determined that just over half of all lady tweeters are planning on wearing a Little Black Dress this season. Traditional Christmas colours red and green come in second and third, followed by a sequinned dress.