The average woman will hit the high street three times, try on seven dresses, and browse the web for over two hours in a bid to get the perfect party outfit, according to new research.
The study of 2,000 British females found they take their Christmas parties so seriously they'll research what they want to wear for up to three weeks before going.
In addition women will have at least seven 'what are you wearing' conversations with girlfriends, as well as one meet up round a friend's house to try on clothes.
Boyfriends and husbands will experience several fashion shows, as their partner poses in different outfits to decide what works best, on three separate occasions.
Women are likely to try on six pair of shoes when hunting for the accessories to match their dress, buying at least two pairs before finding those that fit the bill.
They will also send back at least two outfits which they ordered online.
Incredibly, researchers found that even when the final outfit has been selected, a quarter of women will still purchase a 'back up' dress in case someone turns up wearing the same outfit.
And a quarter of women would happily buy an entire outfit from a charity shop to stand out from the crowd, and prevent the risk of turning up in the same dress as someone else.
Fee Gilfeather Head of Shops Marketing and spokeswoman for Oxfam, which conducted the research said: "The study shows just how important dressing up is to women when it comes to looking good for a Christmas party. A great deal of time and effort is spent perfecting a look for an evening.
"Women expect an outfit to make them feel confident and special. That is why having an outfit, which is unique can make all the difference. The fact so many women shop at charity shops proves you don't have to spend hundreds of pounds to feel special."
The study revealed the many concerns women face when dressing for the Christmas party.
Almost half worry about wearing something which will make them feel good and confident in their Christmas party outfit. A fifth are concerned they will not look glamourous enough.
A third of women say they're always anxious about finding anything to fit, while a fifth simply want to look different to everyone else going rather turning up in the same old little black dress.
Four in 10 women would never consider turning up to a party in clothing they had worn before, and 47 per cent wouldn't attend in a borrowed outfit in case they didn't look as good as the person who wore it originally.
An unlucky 14 per cent of women have turned up to a Christmas party where someone else was wearing an identical outfit.
When it comes to purchasing a second 'back up' dress for an event, 14 per cent of women claim they have turned up to a Christmas party to find someone else was wearing the identical outfit.
Of these women, one in 10 saw the funny side and posed for photographs with their 'doppelganger' for a laugh, but one in 20 left the party early and 12 per cent changed into another outfit to avoid embarrassment.
This matching-by-mistake scenario explains why the survey revealed women are so receptive to buying clothes and accessories from a charity shop if it meant being able to look different for a party.
Most popular 'second hand' items purchased for parties include clutch bags, jewellery, scarves and shoes.
A resounding quarter of the nation's ladies would happily buy their entire top-to-toe outfit from charity shops in a bid to stand out from the crowd.
Fee Gilfeather continued, 'Savvy women head for charity shops because they can snap up stylish outfits that express their individuality, look amazing and remain affordable.
"Our shops and the vast Oxfam Online Shop are crammed full of one-off finds so it's easy to choose a selection of dresses, separates and accessories, often from top fashion houses, to wear throughout Christmas for a fraction of the price of a single new designer dress.
"The money raised helps end poverty around the world. Oxfam shoppers look fabulous, feel great and do a lot of good too!"
A WOMAN'S CHRISTMAS PARTY OUTFIT PREPARATION- 3 weeks of preparations
- Hit the high street 3 times spending an hour each time
- Browse online 4 times for up to half an hour each time
- Try on 7 outfits in total, send back 2 outfits purchased online
- Try on 6 pairs of shoes in total, buy 2 pairs and send 1 back
- Have 7 'what are you wearing conversations' with girlfriends
- Pose in outfits for a partner on 3 separate occasions
- Buy at least 1 magazine
- Meet up with friends at least once to try on clothes
- Buy one 'back up' outfit in addition to final choice
- ¼ would happily buy an entire outfit from a charity shop
Oxfam Online Shop: www.oxfam.org.uk/shop
