Often the best parties are just for two, so make it an evening to remember. Jenny gets star treatment from Martin Potter, a Shakespearian actor whose sensational looks are making him new audiences. His ideal party: “There’d be just the two of us and it would last a month. We’d hide out in a mountain retreat. Heavy snowfalls would cut us completely off from the rest of the world. And if the telephone packed up, even better.” Jenny looks the part in a slink of a dress from Polly Peck, £12-35. Heavy gilt choker and perspex bangle from Adrien Mann.

Patrick Mower, one of TV’s best dressed men and more often seen playing tough, hard-hitting Detective Inspector Haggerty in Special Branch, closes in on Caroline. Patrick is a great one for big parties: “I case the room and meet whoever I fancy. Everyone should look great and be in a good mood. If they’re not they can go home.” Caroline luckily suits all demands in a tie-topped blouse and long skirt by Ossie Clark for Radley, £30.

Put on your most sexy dress—something nice and bare that shows a lot. David Collings, bearded for his part in Ken Russell’s Mahler, approves of girls who get “all dolled up”. He likes throwing instant parties: “Italian food, loads of wine, lots of talk. I then just let things happen. Surprises are always fun.” Jane provides just the right degree of suspense in a slashed to the waist dress by Bernshaw, £19.

Invited to a dressy dinner party? Wear a simple slither of a little black dress that emphasises all your good points. Michael Petrovitch, a tall, broody looking actor, starring in Wet Stuff with Elliott Gould and Donald Sutherland, loves small parties “Where the food’s delicious, the conversation good and the woman beside me a marvellous listener. If she’s dark and exotic looking—fantastic.” Carole fits the role perfectly in a skimmy voile and Lurex dress by Ossie Clark for Radley, £30. Gilt bangle, ring, from a selection at Adrien Mann.

If your man is the host, you’d better look great. David Warbeck, actor and model, is a great cook, and likes his hostess to shine. “I do exotic things like pheasants in honey. I serve several courses so dinner lasts about three hours, but I ask people to swap seats . . . then they can really get to know each other.” Greta glows in a dress with a cutaway back, Bemshaw, , £13.50; choker and bangle from Adrien Mann.

Be the toast of the party in a dress with a deep neckline and a cutaway back. Gary Bond, lead in Joseph And His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, is bowled over by blonde Birgitta. “I love girls who laugh at my jokes. If they’re all dolled up and smelling delicious I’m their slave. I get very nervous at big parties so when I find a girl I whisk her off to the kitchen. It’s the quietest place: we can sit down and get to know each other.” Birgitta’s dress is by Hilary Floyd, £23. For that extra flirty film star touch, a matching ostrich boa from Mitzi Lorenz, £11.

Turn him on. This winter’s most glamorous party vest has that 1000 watt gleam. Larrio, the six foot four dancer at the London Contemporary Dance Theatre, is electrified by Jan. “Give me lots of pretty girls, lock the door and let me get at them! I really dig dancing the night away. If I give a party I like it to go on for nights and days.” Jan’s high-voltage sequin vest is from Biba,£11.45 ; pants, £10, from Gordon King. Earrings from Adrien Mann. Larrio’s silk shirt from a selection at Browns.

Wear a tinsel jacket—and look like the best-wrapped package in the room. Sam Wright flashes across the stage nightly in Two Gentlemen of Verona but is here brought to a halt by Renate. “Parties are very sensual things to me,” says Sam. “I lie around on big cushions listening to Beethoven or sitar music. The night should just drift away. I like my guests to feel free to do whatever they like.” Renate’s jacket, £13.35, velvet trousers, £14.40, both by Polly Peck. Bangle, earrings, from a selection at Adrien Mann. All men’s shirts from Turnbull & Asser ; trousers, velvet suits by John Michael. Make-up by Bonnie for Charles of the Ritz. Party hairstyles by David at Michaeljohn. Christmas trees and decorations from Harrods.