As the holiday season begins and party invitations start arriving, it's time to take a refresher course on dress codes. Hosts love to get creative with the lingo, but whether it's white tie, black tie, cocktail or casual chic, there are a few basic tips to dressing for the party season ahead. Here are some suggestions from Jill Martin, TV personality and author of "Fashion for Dummies."

—The Cocktail Party. This is one of the most popular events held during the holiday season. It's also one of the easiest dress codes to master — the cocktail dress, of course!

"That means that your dress should hit your legs right below the knee," says Martin. "But because there are no strict rules when it comes to a cocktail party, if you have fab legs, feel free to wear a shorter dress."

Martin also feels you are not limited to wearing cocktail dresses. "If you feel more comfortable in a two-piece outfit, go that route. For example, a sequin skirt paired with a beautiful cashmere sweater is perfect cocktail attire. You can also go with a beautiful pair of slacks and a dressy blouse. Wear what you look best in."

The little black dress is always appropriate, according to Martin. "But, if you're always in your LBD, try to get away from that. If you're heading to a work cocktail party at 6:00 p.m. on a Tuesday, I suggest sticking to more neutral tones in a fabric, like wool or silk, that's not shiny. If on the other hand, you're going to your best friend's home on a Saturday night for a soiree, go for it!"

Accessories can be a game changer for holiday party dressing, says Martin. "I love wearing simple dresses and switching up my accessories," she says. "Bold statement necklaces or chandelier earrings always complete an otherwise plain looking dress. If your dress already has a lot of embellishment, go simple with accessories. This is the type of event where you can really express your personal style, especially with the right statement piece."

—The Black Tie Affair. Okay, so you've got a charity ball to go to or the wedding of a close friend and the invitation says "Black Tie." The guys have it made, because a tuxedo is the go-to standard. But us girls don't need to stress out either, says Martin. "When an invitation says "Black Tie," the person or people throwing the party are pretty much telling you how they want you to look," she says. "They want you dressed to the nines! A long dress is the safe choice for an affair of this magnitude, but going shorter is no longer a faux pas."

—The White Tie Affair. A long gown is almost always the best way to go for this very formal event, says Martin. "If you're headed to this type of affair, there is no room for error," says the fashion expert. "Rules must be followed. The dress for a white tie evening is not only an evening gown, but a rather modest one. Bare shoulders are generally not acceptable, and women often wear opera length gloves. Silk or satin shawls are usually worn, as well."

—Casual Chic. Most of us breathe a sigh of relief when the party invite says "casual dress." It can also be one of the most frustrating, since there are dozens of ways to approach this dress code. "Figuring out what to wear can be tricky," says Martin, who breaks down holiday casual into two groups.

"Some people like to wear items to commemorate the season: Santa Claus sweaters, socks with dreidels, and other items with a seasonal feel. Now I don't want to sound like the Grinch, but if you're going this route, I suggest you do it minimally. The only way to pull off this look in style is to pick one gimmicky item and make it the focal point of your outfit. Everything else you wear should be a solid color and nothing else should have details."

There is one more subtle approach to casual party dressing. "You can wear seasonal colors and materials that give off a holiday vibe," adds Martin. "You can get a dressier holiday look by wearing a sweater or dress with sequins, beading, or paillettes, which give you the sparkle and the festive feel without the gimmick. These choices are sophisticated and appropriate for everything from a holiday dinner to the office holiday party."

Designer Carmen Marc Valvo goes long and short for the holiday season.

To find out more about Sharon Mosley, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.