Cheat sheet: the holiday party
November 28th, 2007The Holiday Season is in full swing and that means cocktail parties, office do’s and New Year’s celebrations. The holiday party cheat sheet aims to give you a good starting point for planning your outfit. It covers the four big areas you’ll be thinking about: your dress, your cover-up, your shoes and your handbag. You’ll also find some pointers back to related blog entries.
Please comment here if you have any feedback or questions and, as always, use Ask Angie if there is a specific question that you would prefer to ask in private.
Dresses aren’t your only option for holiday bashes, but they are the most fashionably festive and feminine choice in this frock-focused season. I’ve been blogging about alternative “non-dress” party looks and will continue to do so over the next week, so stay tuned. Unleash those fabulous outfits and let the merrymaking begin!
November 28th, 2007 at 8:47 am
Great cheat sheet! Awesome inspiration. One question:
Are embellished/jewelled flats ok to wear with a short sheath and tights for a holiday party?
November 28th, 2007 at 9:42 am
Angie - This is a keeper for reference. Thank you so much! I’m going to use it as a guide for my husband’s company Christmas party this year. Absolutely love the advice and picture ideas!
November 28th, 2007 at 9:42 am
Even with ALL your help, I still find myself fretting about what to wear to our black tie event! I probably will wear a dress from my closet: either a simple black dress with a few diagonal ruffles on the front and back, or a black organza “Audrey Hepburn” dress with large muted red flowers (waistline, poufy skirt). Both are rather classic dresses. If I can find a terrific clutch and pair of shoes, I think I can be satisfied with wearing an “old” dress.
I’ve noticed you say one piece of jewelry. I have a lovely pair of designer diamond studs with a matching necklace. Is it too much to wear both pieces? And if I wear the diamonds with the black dress, would silver shoes and clutch be best, rather than a color (red)?
November 28th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
I’m attending a cocktail party next week at a modern art museum and this is a good starting point. I’m trying to figure out if I should tweak my existing cocktail dress with accessories for a more “arty” look or if I should go with separates? I’m looking forward to the rest of your party look blogs in helping me figure this out.
November 28th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
I will be going to a very fancy party for New Years Eve (in Australia so it won’t be cool weather). I plan to wear my strapless, knee length black dress and a wrap.
What I’d like to know is if I wear that dress with a silver metallic wrap should my shoes be metallic or can i get away with my very nice black pointed-toe stilettos? Or should I buy some metallic shoes? What about a clutch metallic or black? what should I wear for pantyhose (dark, or neutral)?
Thanks! I’m lost…
November 28th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
And I’m interested in hearing Angie’s responses to these great questions. The responses often help me, as well. But, for today, I have my own question.
I may be going to a black-tie optional New Year’s Eve Party and was thinking of wearing this: http://www.jcrew.com/catalog/p.....od62983251 in Navy Blue (this was my wedding dress from three years ago). The problem is, I would need to get new shoes. What color goes with navy blue? I no longer have the ones I wore to my wedding. And for the wrap, do I match the shoes? Do I go chunky or skimpy on the shoes? So, so many questions. Would love your color advice, Angie.
November 28th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
This sounds super Rhonda.
Wearing fine jewelry that matches ( both earrings and necklace) is great. Together they’ll make a lovely statement.
November 28th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
Christie,
What about silver shoes with the navy dress? I think the dress is too elegant for chunky shoes. Gold would work, too, but there’s something about navy and silver!
November 28th, 2007 at 7:44 pm
Christie, your dress is classic, pretty and elegant. It’s not very short so you can match it with either a skinny or chunky heel. Be careful not to look bridal though. A simple strappy heel like the model is wearing looks bridal (also because her hair is pulled back). I totally agree with Rhonda though….there is something magical about a navy and silver combination.
From what I’ve gathered about your personal style Christie, is that you are hip and funky in a streamlined way. Wearing a classic dress is fab (because there is also a modern classic side to you), but you’ll kick the look up a notch if you add that quirky sparkle and your own personal stamp. I say go for a funky silver shoe with a chunky heel. I’d add a faux fur or sequined shrug (possibly black or slate grey), a silver trench or retro black evening coat- not a wrap. Your dress is soft and flowing….you want to create a contrast with structure and another texture to complement it. “Flowing on top of flowing” does not work as well.
If silver does not tickle your fancy…..I’d go Kelly green or yellow…but these choices are harder to find and very daring. Black and ink blue are a HOT combination at the moment and one of my very favourite pairings if you add pearls (a bit of neutral cream to clean it all up). You do not need to match your shoes to your cover-up. Let us know how your outfit eventually turns out!
November 28th, 2007 at 7:47 pm
I love a girl with a plan Vanessa!
1. You can add black shoes and bag with your turquoise wrap, but it might be more punchy to add a bit of sparkle or at least to pull through a bit of colour in the hand bag. Definitely sheer black hose or go bare legged.
2. My advice would be the same for the metallic wrap. Add a metallic bag for sure, but you can leave the shoes black. Stick to dark hose.
November 28th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
Thank you Kimi. Well…..I’m not partial to any type of flat shoe with party dresses…..day dresses and casual dresses for sure…..but not party dresses. Get yourself into heels…even if they are just an inch.
December 12th, 2007 at 5:49 pm
Thanks, that cheat sheet is really informative! Great post, it’s exactly what I was looking for because sometimes I every fashion tip for what I call “comfort style”…not the most appealing look on me but I will try to style myself more! =D
December 12th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
missed a word…*forgo every fashion tip..etc.
ahaha