nights in bright satin

This winter, the nightclubber who wants to strut her stuff in something a little sophisticated is slipping into a satin evening gown: long, gleaming, glamorous. Add tulle, long gloves and fabric roses - and you have the look. If you've got the bucks, Manhattan and Rome have the frocks. We took some of the shiniest and poshest out for a night in a New York club

Left: long red gown with rhinestones, about pounds 1,540, by Donald Deal, available to order at Harrods, Knightsbridge, London SW1 (tel: 0171 225 5661); silver strappy stilettos, about pounds 270, by Valentino Boutique, 174 Sloane Street, SW1 (tel: 0171 235 5855)

Right: primrose yellow ball gown with tulle underskirt, pounds 1,500, by Michael Morales, available at Saks Fifth Avenue, New York, and to order (tel: 001 212 768 1262); gold flower, stylist's own - a selection of similar flowers, from pounds 3.95 to pounds 9.95, is available at John Lewis stores nationwide (tel: 0171 629 7711)

Pink satin dress, by Valentino Boutique, about pounds 3,300, to order at Valentino, 174 Sloane Street, London SW1 (tel: 0171 235 5855); lavender leather shoes, by Valentino Boutique, about pounds 300, as before; long pink gloves, pounds 34.95, from a selection at Harrods, Knightsbridge, London SW1 (tel: 0171 225 5661); white flower, stylist's own - a selection of similar flowers, from pounds 3.95 to pounds 9.95, is available at John Lewis stores nationwide (tel: 0171 629 7711)

Blue satin dress, by Sophie Sitbon, available to order at Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge, London SW1 (tel: 0171 235 5000); long satin gloves, pounds 34.95, from a selection at Harrods, as before; blue flower, as before