Dear Mattie:
How can I look great this holiday season?
Ready to start celebrating in Lynn Valley
Dear Lynn Valley:
It will be easy to look great this holiday because there are so many glamorous trends to choose from.
This holiday is all about incorporating and co-ordinating trendy pieces to glam up your outfit.
Lace is very popular this season.
Traditionally, lace has an elegant charm, but this season it is stylish and edgier. It is not lingerie inspired.
The look is still feminine but not delicate.
Textures have been popular this fall and lace is an extension of that trend.
Some lace blouses are detailed with baroque inspired trims that include velvet and gold embroidery on the collar and cuffs.
Lace can be found in tops and bottoms.
Many of the blouses are tone on tone, with an under layer. There are some trendier versions where the under layer is a contrast to the colour of the lace.
Cream and black, red and black, white and teal are some of the co-ordinated colours.
Skirts also have this trend going on and the lace is longer than the under layer. This under layer for both blouses and skirts looks like a slip, but it is not. It is part of the garment.
Lace is also a pattern this season. You will see it on blouses, with either an exaggerated or a fine lace print. Lace print is also embossed on pants in the form of a brocade, but in a lighter weight.
Lace is everywhere this holiday.
Leather is also a texture that is popular this season. In fact, you might see lace embossed on a leather skirt.
Although leather and lace sounds like a cliché, it has come back in style.
Leather tanks, skirts, pants, dresses and blazers are in a lighter weight, so they fit nicely. They are available in many darker colours like red, teal, aubergine, brown and black.
Velvet has also made a comeback in many darker colours, just like the leather pieces.
Velvet looks great with lace. It is also lighter in weight, so it fits well. Most of the velvet pieces are fitted and narrow.
Velvet looks great with brocade pieces, especially if it has a metallic shimmer. There is velvet trim on blazers, belts, and hair accessories.
Velvet is popular for the holidays.
One of the biggest trends this season is the evening T-shirt. I like this trend because all you need is a dark pair of jeans or black pants.
The evening T-shirt is like a blouse. It is the shape of a traditional T-shirt, with a nicer cut and available in many sophisticated patterns and textures, like lace, brocade, and sequins. It is an affordable and practical way to dress up and still be wearing the trends.
Once you have your outfit, don't forget your jewelry.
Gold is dominating this holiday season.
Chunky metals and big jewels in black, red, aubergine, teal and gold will add polish to your outfit.
Bejewelled accessories for your hair, in a headband, or to hold a bun or to be twirled in your braids, will take your look to the next level.
All of these sophisticated trends can be crossed over between friends and professional cocktail parties. Enjoy your celebrations!
Happy holidays! Mattie
Mattie a la Mode is a monthly fashion advice column. Mattie is a freelance writer and fashion expert. She can be reached via email: [email protected] or you can follow her on pinterest. com/mattiealamode/
Toy drive: Get Dressed women's fashion boutique (Westview Shopping Centre and Parkgate Village) and Techniks Hair Studio (225 Seymour River Place, North Vancouver) are collecting toys for Family Services of the North Shore for distribution to the Christmas Bureau. In return for your donation of a new unwrapped toy, shoppers will receive a $10 gift card for purchases at Get Dressed. One gift card per customer.
Great Stuff: Unique gifts by more than 40 local artisans, jewellers and craft artists will be on exhibit and for sale Tuesdays-Sundays, 10 a.m.6 p.m. from Nov. 30 to Dec. 21 at the Ferry Building Gallery, 1414 Argyle Ave., West Vancouver. Late night shopping Fridays until 8 p.m. Info: ferrybuildinggallery. com.
Make way for holiday fashions by clearing out unwanted clothing and accessories and donating them to the Canadian Diabetes Association's Clothesline program. Clothesline accepts gently used clothing, all cloth-based items, shoes, boots, books, toys and more. Visit diabetes.ca for dropoff locations.
North Shore Needle Arts Guild meets the second Thursday of the month and offers instruction in embroidery and beading at St. Martin's Anglican Church hall in North Vancouver. Info: 604-922-4032.
Send your info as early as possible to [email protected].
