Hello, party season—goodbye, sanity! The craze of Christmas celebrations is upon us, and that ultimately leads to one familiar question: “What am I wearing to so-and-so’s party?”

Here’s a suggestion: wear pants! If you’ve been recycling your LBD, LWD, or any little party dress you’ve got in regular circulation, give them a rest this time. Trousers look confident and cool, and they can be just as sexy as any cocktail frock. Plus, you don’t have to worry about unwitting underwear exposure when you’ve had too much eggnog (God forbid!).

In this style guide, we highlight five chic trousers and 15 ways to dress them up, whether you’re attending a family celebration, barkada bash, or simply put, a “work thing.” Have fun, FNites!

(Photos by Dakila Angeles. Styling by Stephanie Castillo. Assisted by Pat Dayacap, Mars Salazar, and Mike Dee.)