Holiday Dressing for Dazzling Effect

“Don we now our gay apparel, fa la la la la la la la la.”

            -Deck the Halls traditional Christmas Carol

The original version used to say, “don we now our bright apparel,” at least according to Wikipedia. And it’s no coincidence that one of the more famous Christmas carols has this line in it. With Christmas (or Hanukah, Kwanza, Festivus or December holiday of your choosing) comes holiday parties. Whether that holiday party is a work get-together, family gathering, ugly sweater party, or friendly soiree, you are going to need a little something extra to wear. So without further ado, I present to you: Heatha’s Guide to Holiday Dressing For Any Occasion.

1. Holiday Work Party — The thing to remember here is to strike the right balance between festive and business like. This is not the party for your sequined black micro mini. You don’t want to wear your regular business attire but you don’t want to show up in your club gear, either. You want to kick up your regular work ensemble a notch. As an aside, this is also the attitude you should have. Please do NOT go to the work party, get wasted and photo copy your private parts or make out with your boss. This is not that kind of party. You want to be able to show up to work the following week with your head held high and the photographic evidence showing only your smiling face in a smashing frock. A sequined scattered jumpsuit, blazer and red heels or your favorite LBD is perfect for this occasion. Add a pop of color to your LBD with a belt or scarf to keep it from being too conservative and stodgy. Keep skin-baring to a minimum, skirts should hit at the knee. Or strut your stuff in a tailored pair of pants and fitted angora sweater with some rhinestone earrings. I’ve found some great options that will keep you polished, and holiday and work appropriate. See below. Note: wear the red pants and lace shirt with a black tank or switch to a streamlined sweater to make it work party ready. Throw a cute jacket or blazer over the first, third and fourth one to add extra polish. Mom, if you are reading this, that red, fur trimmed blazer is on my holiday wish list.

black and white dress – www. Express.com, winter white sweater dress, black lace shirt, red pants, and red velvet burnout dress – www.victoriassecret.com

www.bebe.com

2. Family Gathering — Grandma does not want to see your cleavage. You’re her precious little angel. You want to maintain this illusion for her and your relatives. Okay, maybe they know your more devilish tendencies -- still ,Christmas or Hanukkah with the family is not the time to flaunt them. Most family gatherings are at least somewhat relaxed affairs. You probably don’t need to go all out in the dress department, but you don’t want to show up in ripped jeans and a Budweiser sweatshirt, either. I would suggest slacks or tailored jeans with a festive colored sweater, jeweled-tone satin blouse or stylish tunic. A cozy sweater dress would also work here. Add satin heels or fur embellished boots to up the style factor. Keep accessories festive and tasteful. Think pearl earrings and a long silver necklace. If your family is a little goofier and silly, throw on those Christmas light earrings. Grandma will be proud. Mom won’t cringe. Most families also usually have some of their own holiday traditions. Mine include festive Santa hats or holiday fascinators; I throw one on for the gift-giving portion of the festivities. Tilt them  rakishly, and go with the flow. Holidays should be warm and fun. Speaking of warm, for any of these parties, a red, belted trench strikes the right balance between holiday and chic.

3. The Friend Par-tay or New Year’s Soiree — First, if it does not specify in the invitation, consult your friend about the level of dressy-ness expected. If it’s a casual affair, dress as you would for a family gathering, but in this case you can show a little more cleavage. Still, keep it tasteful. Your friends don’t want to worry about your bits falling out of your shirt and into the cheese dip.

If it’s a cocktail party or New Year’s party, however, this is your time to bling it up a bit. Grab that sequined mini and slinky satin shirt or your sexiest sheath dress. Throw on some rhinestones and killer heels and work what your mama gave ya. I, myself, am absolutely dying to wear my satin, tuxedo inspired romper, tuxedo jacket and Harajuku Lovers black patent and white satin heels. I’ll post a pic on here when I do. Go all out. Christmas only comes once a year and the opportunities we have to get dressed up dwindle once we are past prom age, so take advantage. I’ve put some fun options below.

First options from www.bebe.com, last four looks from www.torrid.com

4. The Ugly Sweater Party — The key here is simple: the only thing on you that should be ugly is the sweater. If you have a 3-D reindeer on your chest, you don’t also need a light up necklace and Nordic leggings. For the sweater, however, the uglier and more overdone, the better. Think your favorite aunt with the 20 cats. You’ll be in the ballpark. You want the word tacky to spring to mind when you put that baby on. Keep everything else chic and in style and you’ll be the cutest girl in an ugly sweater ever! If your sweater is tunic length, throw on some sleek silver, red or black leggings. Add some fuzzy boots, embellished flats or sparkly glitter heels to up the fun quotient. Red, green, gold or silver bangles work nicely as a compliment. Skinny or tailored jeans are also a good option. I saw a photo of a woman in the cutest red plaid skirt with her Santa sweater and it actually made the sweater cute.

The most important thing to remember about holiday dressing, though, is to get into the spirit and smile. The most beautiful person at any holiday party is the one with the biggest grin and the most open heart. After all, isn’t that what the holidays are really about? So follow the above guide to be lovely inside and out. Now go throw on your Santa hat, bring out your dreidel and let’s get to partying. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, A Bright Kawanza, Happy Festivus and a beautiful New Year to everyone out there reading.

Please keep checking back for future blogs which will include such topics as: 

• To Buy or Not To Buy, That is the Question

• It’s a Croc, The Ugg Effect

• How to Dress Appropriately for Any Occasion

•The Five Shoe Trends I’m Loving Right Now.

Also, I have some fun guest bloggers hopefully lined up, so keep your eyes peeled.

  

And as always, I’d love to get your feedback, advice, comments and more. Please comment below or email me at princessheathab@gmail.com.

Be Fierce. Be Fashionable. Be Yourself.

XOXO

H