It’s holiday season and if we were to breakdown the things we love about the holidays into percentages, 98% of that love would go towards dressing up. (Food and loved ones are also pretty awesome, but the fact that we get to be fancy while hanging out with the family and stuffing ourselves, just makes it that much better.)
Think about it. The dinners, the parties, the yearly family outing to church or the boxing day sales, or wherever, it’s all just a reason to wear different outfits. And when it comes to holiday outfits this year, it’s all about monochromatic pieces with a bit of bling. (We acknowledge that this is the “look” just about every year — fashion works in cycles you guys!). There are a couple of ways to go with your holiday look:
1) The Party Dress
This is the easiest. All you need is a pretty little thing you can slip on with a simple pair of heels and some lipstick and you’re ready to eggnog the night away. When looking for a dress try and get something that you’ll be comfortable in. You don’t want to spend the season throwing a tatty cardigan over your nice new velvet dress. And if you’re schedule is packed to the max, try and pick a piece whose look can be altered with accessories like a belt, jewellery or um, a tatty cardigan – you don’t want to get sick of looking at yourself. (If you want more pro party dress arguments you should check out this column (http://www.guardian.co.uk/fashion/2011/nov/29/what-to-wear-christmas-party) by the Guardian’s Jess Cartner-Morely – and shame on you if you’re not already an avid fan of her “How to Dress” videos (much less snobby than it sounds.))
*detail of vintage dress available at Founderie
2) Separates
Trousers and top or skirt and top — it’s that simple. What’s most exciting about this option though, is just how many outfits you can wear in one day – serious mileage.
If you’re feeling particularly demure at Grandma’s but sexy at New Years, no one will notice you’re wearing the same black slacks because they’ll be too distracted by your sparkly sweater and cleva-licious silk blouse, respectively. Separates give you flexibility and let you dress based on your mood. The only downside to this approach is if you’re travelling – much harder to decide on four separates than one fool-proof dress.
3) Fur
Wear your normal clothes—or none at all—make an effort with your hair and throw on some fur. A coat, a stole, a hat, a muff, fur takes any outfit and just sort of turns it up to 11. Of course, we’re talking vintage fur, not new there are enough dead animals out there already. And you’re going to look fabulous wearing one!
*detail of vintage dress and fox stole available at Founderie