This week, we set Dublin stylist Allanah Gallagher a challenge: come up with some great festive clothes without spending too much money.

As an additional hurdle, Allanah had to find items under four different price brackets: £25; £50; £75; and £100.

She had no problem with the concept of dressing on a tight budget.

"Christmas is a three-week whirl," she says, "and most of us don't have a phenomenal amount of money to spend on it.

We're not talking about investment dressing, so use this as an excuse to buy a little bit of inexpensive glitz and glamour. Then you won't mind if it doesn't last into your New Year wardrobe." But as you can see, everything Allanah has proposed deserves to be worn long after the present party season is over.

UNDER-£25

1. Second hand strapless print dress £14.99 from Wild Child, South Great George's Street, Dublin 2; necklace by Denise Downey, tel.087-2355998; fishnet tights £19.99 from Fogal, Dublin.

2. Red velvet halterneck dress £19.95 from Crisis and Swamp outlets nationwide; red bag £25 from branches of Principles nationwide; tights by Fogal as before.

3. Purple crushed velvet dress £12 from branches of Penneys nationwide; purple bag £15 from branches of Miss Selfridge nationwide; necklace £175 from Equinox in Dublin and Cork.

UNDER-£50

1. Lace trim satin slip dress £40 from branches of Warehouse nationwide; black stiletto heel shoes £39.99 at Oasis, Dublin; fishnet tights by Fogal as before.

2. Velvet and gold braid dress £38 from Harlequin, Castle Market, Dublin; gold sandals by Carl Scarpa £59.99.

3. Leopard print catsuit £35 from Miss Selfridge as before; gold sandals by Carl Scarpa as before; gold bag £30 from Warehouse nationwide.

UNDER-£75

1. Silver knit dress £55 from Principles nationwide; tiara £15 from Jenny Vander, Castle Market, Dublin; black stiletto shoes from Oasis as before; bracelet £100 from Equinox.

2. Chocolate bead and sequin dress £60 from Dunnes Stores nationwide; backless mules £39.99 from branches of Oasis; earrings £50 from Equinox; glass star £1.50 from Penneys Christmas shop.

3. Striped lurex top £30, shot taffeta pants £44.99 and satin stiletto shoes £39.99, all from branches of Oasis; gilt clasp bag £35 from Jenny Vander.

UNDER-£100

1. Red velvet dress £79.99 and red velvet sandals £39.99, both from branches of Next nationwide; handmade necklace and earrings by Denise Downey as before.

2. Brown lurex-knit top £60 and matching skirt £30, both from branches of A Wear nationwide; slip £10 from Se Si, Temple Bar, Dublin; metallic thread fishnet tights £6.95 from Brown Thomas, Dublin; shoes from Oasis as before; feather collar, stylist's own.

3. Pink bias-cut slip dress £98.50 from Richard Alan, Dublin and Cork; gold sandals by Carl Scarpa as before; feather boas £18 each from Harlequin.