As a fashion assistant, I’m constantly surrounded by clothes and thinking about trends, meaning that I usually enjoy picking out outfits. But come Christmas – between juggling secret Santa and a hundred group chat plans – I have zero time to experiment with different looks. That’s when I turn to the failsafe formula that I call the ‘two Ts’: a T-shirt paired with statement trousers.

A T-shirt might not seem like the boldest choice for a night out. But it adds a cool, laidback feel to fancier pieces, making it my go-to for partywear. The key is pairing your T-shirt with trousers that are Fun with a capital F. Choose trousers in luxe leather or with metallic finishes, leopard prints or dazzling rhinestones – like those seen on the autumn/winter 2024 catwalks at 16Arlington, Alberta Ferretti and Louis Vuitton. Does your T-shirt now feel like it’s making a statement? If so, you’re well on your way.

The outfit formula our fashion assistant swears by for party-ready looks