Elizabeth Dehn - HER LIFE Magazine

eautyStylish Holiday Looksfor All OccasionsBy Catie WatsonThe holiday season is theperfect time for dressing up.Family gatherings, officeparties and other holiday soirees set thestage for festive outfits that might seemout of place in any other season. Don’t letthe pressure of the season stop you fromenjoying all your holiday events. Withsome fashion ingenuity you can relax andenjoy the holiday season, knowing youlook your very best.showing up for a party eitherover- or underdressed can really dampenthe holiday mood. Avoid being out of stepwith other guests by checking the invitationfor a dress code. In DecipheringParty Dress Codes on the Ladies’ HomeJournal website you’ll find guidelinesfor holiday party dress codes. If theinvitation specifies Formal, Black Tie orBlack Tie Optional, formal long gownsor short dresses made from satin orvelvet should be worn. If the invitationsays Semi-Formal or Cocktail, then short14 14 HERLIFEmagazine.comelegant dresses or dressy separates areappropriate. For Business Formal events,women should wear a tailored suit ordress. When you receive an invitationthat calls for Festive Attire, it’s time topull out all the stops and show off someholiday sparkle. For Dressy Casual, youcan wear clothing that is relaxed withoutbeing sloppy. If the invitation doesn’tindicate a dress code or if you’re in doubtabout what to wear, check with your hostor hostess about expected party attire.the best way to be prepared for anytype of holiday invitation is to stock yourcloset with some basic dressy pieces.Focus on items made from fabrics thatare associated with the holiday season,including velvet, silk, satin and glitzyfabrics like lame. If you like plaid, thisis the season for large-scale tartan plaidpatterns in red, green and black. Onceyou have a few basic dressy pieces,combine them for a variety of differentlooks. For example, a simple elegantdress in black or a rich solid color can beworn with different jackets, sweaters andwraps for different looks. For an officeparty, pair it with a boyfriend blazer. Fora cocktail party or family gathering, wearit with a beaded or sequined sweater.For a more formal event, drape a richlyembroidered or fringed shawl aroundyour shoulders.according to www.style.com, oneof the top fashion trends for Fall/Winter2011 evening wear is the “borrowedfrom-the-boys”tuxedo. Women’stuxedos in black or white, in a varietyof luxurious fabric and embellishedwith sequins or embroidery were shownon the runway by Michael Kors, RalphLauren, Dolce & Gabbana and Chanel,while Givenchy showed a tux jacketover a slim skirt. If you don’t want togo with the complete tuxedo look, try atuxedo-style jacket over an elegant dressor pair tuxedo with a long-sleeved top orsweater.to add some holiday style to anoutfit you wear throughout the year, lookfor accessories that add a seasonal touch.A clutch purse made from a bright luxefabric or decorated with beads, crystalsor embroidery will dress up even thesimplest outfit. For a glamorous partylook, invest in shoes embellished withmetallic studs or sequins. Gold or silvershoes, either flats or strappy heels, areanother way to add glitz to a holidayoutfit. This is also the season for sparklydrop earrings, bold necklaces and eyecatchingcocktail rings.flip through any fashion magazineand you'll see that the world's topdesigners have included retro looks fromthe 1950s through the 1980s in theircollections. This has been a continuingtrend for several seasons and it meansthat almost any dress length from maxi tomini is in style. It also means that classicvintage and vintage-inspired clothingand accessories can be the focal pointsof unique holiday outfits. Nipped-waistdresses with full skirts, slim pencil skirts,sheer blouses, dressy hats—these are justa few of the vintage items that are perfectfor holiday parties.besides retro and vintage fashion,Elle Magazine reports that another bigtrend this season is unexpected combinations.If you'd like to make a one-ofa-kindfashion statement this holiday season,think about eclectic combinations.Picture a leather biker jacket over atraditional little black dress, a fur chubbyover a sequined dress or distressed jeansworn with a dressy blouse and heels.Offbeat accessories, including anythingwith feathers, are another great way toadd some eclectic style to your holidays.For inspiration, look at some of the partyoutfits worn by Sarah Jessica Parker,Carey Mulligan, Chloe Sevigny, RachelZoe and Kate Moss.