Dear Mattie: What should I wear this holiday season?
— Ready to celebrate in Lynn Valley
Dear Lynn Valley: The holiday season is always tricky as we have so many different types of parties to attend. Lucky for us, there are also many styles in fashion for holiday dressing. Rest assured, you have options for the office party, the cocktail party and gatherings for friends and family. It is a nice time of year, so why not celebrate? Dressing up feels festive.
A clean line is a great place to start. Holiday trends are layered with details, yet the overall look is not messy. The silhouette of your outfit should be long and lean. Skirts can be either short or long with a bit of flair at the hem, creating a gentle swing. Popular holiday fabrics include velvet and lace. Add your accessories and get into the spirit of the holidays. Wearing a dress always looks more formal. Adding some glitz and colour makes a statement. The cocktail dress is often the "go to" dress for the holiday season. This dress is sparkly with crystals and metallic threads. Don't mix metals, though. Choose one and maintain it throughout your outfit, thus creating the long and lean look. Mixing metals breaks the line. A slinky lame dress with fewer accessories also does the trick as the dress itself is the statement piece.
A red or black dress is always in style for special occasions. This can be an investment piece that gets updated with trendy accessories party after party. New dress looks include the empress style with an embroidered bodice, a bit of a ruffled collar and a full skirt. Chiffon, silk and satin dresses with patterns are festive and very modern. These dresses can have a structured line or a loose fit.
There is also a dress for the office party that makes a fashion statement without being too glitzy. A fabric with a jacquard print looks classy and professional. Tuxedo-style pantsuits are another great option. The pants can be narrow and cropped or long and wide.
Don't limit yourself to black - a white tuxedo makes quite a bold statement. Try to infuse colour into your outfit as it adds dimension to your professional persona.
This season's blazer is fitted, as is the blouse and sweater. The blouse should have a modern motif and the sweater should have some embellishment. These tops could also be worn at a less formal event with casual pants and a rocking pair of shoes or boots. These options can be dressed up or down with your choice of accessories.
For the less formal party, you might wear a leather skirt or pants. There is also a new fabric that is coated to look like the real thing, but is less expensive. Leather can also have a lacy look as some of the skirts have a hem with a cut-out pattern. Lace tops always look great with leather. The holiday season is a fun time to dress up and enjoy a party with your friends, family and co-workers.
Happy holidays,
Mattie
Mattie is a freelance writer and fashion expert. Reach her on her Facebook page or follow her on Pinterest at Mattie a la Mode.
