Squint and you’ll spot it: party season is officially on the horizon. The busiest time of the year is undoubtedly the most fun, with countless soirees to attend and endless outfits to swish around in. However, the social swing of December can, on occasion, become something of a chore. But take note: just as hosting a blow-out bash is a tricky business, there’s also an art to attending one. Here, the world’s most seasoned party givers and goers garnish us with their infallible tips for always being the most sparkling guest at every event you attend.

“It’s always better to err on the side of formality, especially when you’re over 35,” says New York’s party goer-in-chief Mr Zachary Weiss, who favours Ralph Lauren Purple Label and Thom Sweeney. “It’s a losing game to try to be the cool, young, hip guest, so I usually try to be the one that’s slightly more buttoned up than the rest of my fellow partygoers.”

“You really need to pick your party appropriately – if you’re invited to five, choose two that you really want to go to,” says Ms Fran Cutler, the queen of brands, director of business and liaison to the stars. Weiss agrees: “If you’re committed to attending a party, try to make it one of your only stops for the night, so you can settle in and enjoy the company. Flitting in and out is a fool’s errand.”

“Always eat before you go to a party – even if you know that they’re serving food,” says writer and creative consultant Mr Michael Hennegan. “The alcohol offering will likely outweigh any solids on offer, so a pre-match meal will help line your stomach.”

“I like to throw in some irreverent touches so that I don’t look stuffy,” Weiss says. “This can be achieved with pops of colour or pattern, or, my favourite, a cheeky tie.” But take note: foppish accessories work best when they’re styled to look elegant rather than cartoonish. Try a classic four-in-hand nipped tight at the collar with a silk shirt and wide lapelled jacket, or a bow tie with a classic dress shirt and velvet blazer.

“Don’t wear a Christmas jumper – it’s just not OK,” says ballet dancer Mr Eric Underwood. “Rollnecks are your friend. They look great with or without a jacket and they’re simple yet chic.”

Party season has the potential to give rise to certain social anxieties that lie dormant at other times of the year. “Try not to create a virtual reality movie in your head of how the night will be, based on your anxieties,” says psychologist Ms Nadia Al-Khudhairy. “Just because you think someone doesn’t like you or you think they think that you’re boring them, does not make it true.”

If your daytime scent is your quotidian workhorse, your night-time spritz should transform you into your most glamorous self. “Opt for fragrances that have flair, and those made with high-grade ingredients that smell expensive,” says perfumer Ms Azzi Glasser. “These will give you a feeling of confidence and that luxurious finishing touch.”

“I always recommend applying fragrance at the base of the neck as it’s a hot spot, as well as the wrists and chest,” Glasser says. “Spraying your scent in your hair adds staying power. Carry your fragrance to top it up. It’s also worth buying the same scent in products such as oils and lotions to enhance the overall appeal.”

“If you’ve made the choice to go out, make sure you have it within you to be a relentless ray of positivity,” Weiss says. “But if you’ve had a bad day and feel like you can’t shake it off, then simply skip the party (although this doesn’t apply to The Met Gala). After a decade of hitting the town, I’ve learnt that there’s always another party down the line.”

“Consider having one standout outfit – or garment – in your arsenal,” says Mr Jack Guinness, author of The Queer Bible and brand director of Gay Star News. “But there’s also absolutely no shame in donning a timeless, understated look and jazzing it up with accessories.”

“The best wingman (or woman) is a social chameleon who isn’t fazed by anything,” Hennegan says. “Take them anywhere, leave them anywhere – they’ll be fine. Neediness is a no-no.”

“If you’re at a party solo, try to speak to someone at the bar,” Hennegan says. “It’s somehow [less intimidating] to make small talk when you and the object of your social interest are focused on a shared task – in this case, ordering a drink.”

“Always wear fantastic shoes – even if they’re painful,” Underwood says. “My trick to making it through a lunch or dinner party unscathed is to slip your foot out of the shoes beneath the table, where no one can see them. You’ll already have been photographed, so there’s nothing lost by giving your feet a chance to breathe.”

“If you’re attending anything that celebrates another person, keep in mind that everything about your presence – your timing, your outfit and, above all, your behaviour – should reflect that this day isn’t about you in any way, shape or form,” Weiss says.

A wine snob is not the party goer you want to be in 2023. “If you’re attending a party as a guest, never be someone who comes with a preference of wine or spirits,” Weiss says. “A gracious guest should never look a gift horse in the mouth.”