DEAR Mattie:
What should I wear to my Christmas party?
Curious in Lynn Valley
Dear Lynn Valley:
Where is the party? Who is having the party? You should ask yourself when putting your holiday outfit together.
Here is how I break down holiday dressing: business Christmas party, formal evening and friends cocktail party.
Each party has its own characteristics. And this season, they all include bling!
Bling this holiday means many gold bangles, thin or thick, with jewels.
Gold is making a comeback. Cuffs and heavy neckpieces also make a great statement.
Chokers are new this season. They come in black velvet or leather with a jewel or charm hanging in the front.
At the business Christmas party, so many ladies tend to overdress and some underdress. The key to a business party is that it is a business event. You should be thinking smart and conservative yet still fashionable.
For business, I would recommend the black and white minimalist look. This look is very popular this season as each piece is stylish. The black pant should look like a tuxedo pant, tailored. A cummerbund in black satin can dress up the pant.
The white or white and black patterned top should be soft, in silk or chiffon. The blouse could be ruffled or have an exaggerated collar and cuffs.
You may add a colourful blouse to this look, if you find that black and white is too simple for you.
The key to pulling off this tuxedo look is to add a neckpiece and cuff bracelet that stands out and shines from a distance.
After all, it is a party.
For a dressier or formal party I would recommend a dress. You can still have the tuxedo look by adding a sash belt and topping it with a smoking jacket. A smoking jacket looks like a blazer yet is softer and rounder. It is a lightweight jacket that has a satin lining, with or without a print.
Dresses can be long or short. Many dresses have a vintage silhouette.
The biggest trend in dresses this holiday is in the fabric. Although the black dress can have a simple shape, it is the organza, lace, velvet, and beading that allows you to step it up a notch. Either the whole dress can be in a luxurious fabric, or some of it, like the collar, the sleeves, the cuff, the hem or belt.
Saving the best for last. . . .
At the cocktail party, you can definitely go all out. Take some of the business and formal ideas and jazz them up with a funky pair of shoes and go slightly overboard with the bling. Glitz and glamour is the look you should be going for.
Some of the trendiest items this holiday are black leather skinny pants. Fitted jewel tone dresses with studs and jewels encrusted on them. Sheer tops with sequins are daring, but please consider an appropriate underlayer that is just as trendy. Silver and gold lamé tops are popular. Keep the lamé in moderation - you should shine, not your outfit.
This holiday season, you can mix and match your pieces and have a new outfit every time you go out.
Happy Holidays, Mattie
Mattie à la Mode is a monthly fashion advice column. Mattie is a freelance writer and fashion expert. She can be reached via E-mail: mattiealamode@ gmail.com or visit her blog mattiealamode.com.
