Dress Suggestions Cover-up Suggestions Shoes Suggestions Accessories Suggestions
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  Suitable holiday attire depends on the formality of the function. What you'd wear to smart casual cocktails at a friend's home is different to what you'd put on for a bash at the Four Seasons. A knee-length cocktail dress usually covers all bases, but establish the correct dress code for the event before you put your look together. While dressy separates and tuxedo pant suits are appropriate, alternative choices - frocks are fun, flirty and feminine and only one item of clothing to worry about. Separates are often harder to match up.  
  Donna Ricco Beaded Illusion Dress Chetta B by Sherrie Bloom & Peter Noviello 'Bumalt' Tunic Dress Donna Ricco Stretch Satin Sheath Dress Donna Morgan Printed Matte Jersey Dress Stenay Beaded Jacket Dress  
  An A-line little black dress (LBD) is timeless, safe and comfortable. A voluminous metallic shift dress is trendy, retro and of this fashion moment. A bright sleeveless stretch satin sheath is simple and bold. A patterned empire-cut jersey dress is playful and less formal. A sparkly vintage inspired dress is always in style.  
Dress Guidelines      
Select the best dress for your body type and have it altered to fit perfectly.  
Dresses with or without sleeves are equally appropriate at this time of year.  
Frocks that are shimmery or embellished with glitzy trims are not essential if an accessory provides the sparkle.  
Wear one bold piece of jewelry (necklace or earrings) and make a statement.  
Artificial light and neutrally toned dresses demand a stronger (darker) lipstick shade for a dressier evening look.  
Straighter dress styles are chic but restrictive, while A-lines (fit-and-flare styles) are comfortable and flattering.  
 
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  An appropriate cover-up is a must in colder weather. Your choices are: satin trench, shrug, wrap or evening coat.  
  Satin Trenchcoat Mink Island Opera Coat Paisley-Overcoat Pull-Through Shrug    
A metallic stain trench over a LBD matched with punchy accessories is flop proof. A tailored velvet embellished evening coat does not date. An embossed cream paisley overcoat creates an eye-catching contrast. A glitzy wrap takes an outfit from drab to fab.
Dress Guidelines
Satin trenches are a versatile and cost-effective choice because they can be dressed up or down.
(Get more use from a satin trench daily by pairing it with jeans and heels, or over a suit for the office).
A trench or evening coat should be roughly the same length as the cocktail dress it covers.
Long gowns look best covered by wraps or cropped shrugs instead of knee length coats and trenches.
Short dresses can be paired with any choice of cover-up.
Wraps that sparkle are ideal because you're after something fancier than day-wear.
Burn-out, sequined, lurex and organza wraps are great around the shoulders or in a style that ties in front.
It's not essential to stick to black, but a neutral shade gives you more options.
Leather, pleather, velvet or satin opera length gloves are an elegant addition (woolly ones won't look right).
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Fancy attire looks best with fancy heels. Remember that "8-hour comfort" is not a necessity and that 2-hour shoes will do the trick. Summery sandals like sling-backs, peep-toes, thongs, mules or strappy ankle styles are still good choices if you can bare the cold.    
MIA Bloom Fitzwell Valora Sergio Rossi Max Studio Bailey
A chunky heel balances out a short mini dress. Round-toe kitten heels are stable and sweet. Silver sling-back stiletto peep-toes are an update on the classic strappy sandal. Distressed metallic Mary Janes are a mixture of old and new.
 
Shoe Guidelines         Match a short jersey dress with knee high 70's go go boots for extra retro fun.  
Closed pumps or peep-toes are more weather-appropriate than strappy sandals.    
You don't need to match up shoes with your handbag.    
You don't need to pair a black dress with black shoes.    
Most colours or metals will work if you pull the look together with accessories.    
Hose finishes off a Winter look, but polished bare legs are always in fashion.    
Wearing hose with peep-toe shoes is an acceptable fashion forward look.    
Sheer shimmery hose in gunmetal greys, golds or black tend to match most dress looks, while micro mock fishnets, lacy patterns and opaques are more fashion forward.    
                         
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  Strive for individuality. If it's difficult to do with your dress, make an extra statement with your accessories. The heel of your shoe, shape of your bag and scale of your jewelry speaks volumes about your style and personality.  
  Letty Designs Evening Bag Kenneth Jay Lane Queen Bee Handbag Michael KorsSutton Clutch  
A vintage bag is timeless. A black patent, mock croc clutch with glitzy trim is all the sparkle you need. A rectangular metallic clutch is streamlined and strong.
  Whiting & Davis Handbags Magazine Roll
Handbag Guidelines
Choose a small bag with character. Large bags are inappropriate.
Clutches and wristlets are all the rage, so pack essentials only.
Handbags that aren't black stand out well against little black dresses.
A cylindrical, liquid mesh bag is ultra-luxurious.
A structured evening bag adds a little more definition to your outfit.
 
Chunky heels and short dresses
Sequined and sparkly holiday dresses
What to wear to a black tie holiday party
What to wear to a casual holiday party
The best opaque tights
The new party look
From drab to dazzling with shoe clips
The little black dress
The party season cheat sheet (2006)
 For the hot hourglass
For pretty pears
For inverted triangles
For adorable apples
For racy rectangles

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