Little Black Dress No More! ••• Part II

Last week I blogged about what to wear for the office/client/professional event Holiday party. This week  I'm going to talk about what to wear for the family/friends parties. You know which ones I'm talking about - the ones that are all about having fun and enjoying your friends and family (while making a point of showing how fabulous you are, of course!).  

What to wear? Leg warmers are making a huge comeback. Try a beautiful wool sweater dresses with dark tights paired with leg warmers up to your knees with closed toe high heels. My favorite runway for winter was definitely Chanel. Karl Lagerfeld presented cool winter colors, boucle knits with faux fur dresses and jackets.  This is a real message that winter clothing doesn't have to be all about dark colors. This outfit makes a big statement with simple pieces, and depending on the event you can make it casual or more formal. If you are outdoors, a nice beret will make it appropriate and chic. To make it more formal add some opulence to it - beads, sequins and over the top accessories. Don't forget: this is the season to shine! You can also try adding a scarf of a belt. Fur handbags are another accessory that would make any outfit pop and they are very trendy right now. Look for the ones that are small and have tons of fur covering them.

Fur covered knee high boots (faux or real) are also very popular this season. If you are going for the boots or the leg warmers, wear them with a winter dress. If you are doing a short skirt stick to the ankle high boots, the closed toe Mary Janes or the platform strappy sandals. One look that I love is the short skirt with the ankle leggings and the high heels/boots. Casual and sophisticated enough for an afternoon at the in-laws. I'm not a big fan of wearing skirts with knee high boots, too many things at the same time going on make one great ensemble look over the top and not in a good-fashion way.

For more formal parties the variety of dresses and possibilities this season is endless. Once again, make sure you add some opulence to it. Velvet, silk, fur, cashmere... they all speak glamour and elegance. Strapless dresses, nice silk pants with elegant blouses – just make your appropriate statement. Don't be shy, play with color! Remember, not everything has to be dark for winter. Cool blue colors and bright reds always add a perfect wintery-festive feel.  

I hope this guide helps you look fabulous. Post photos, I'd love to see what you're wearing: facebook.com/wearinocala. Enjoy the festivities and stay close to the mistletoe!


It's all right here in Ocala:

Jezebels (56 SE 1st Ave) special offers now thru Christmas –

20% off Margarita Bloom bath products, 

20% off santa suits,30% off select clothing, 

20% off Bettie Paige dresses & 

10% off necklace/earring sets! 

... and they just got in a new shipment of lingerie, including plus size for DD cup & larger.

Little Black Dress No More!

Many of us have some kind of party during the Holidays that includes either co-workers, clients or prospects. It's that very special occasion where you get to socialize with industry people and at the same time enjoy the eggnog. Problem is, you are still working (kind of) and what you wear needs to reflect the professional in you, not the party animal (we can save that one for the family reunion). I know what you are thinking: "What is wrong with my little black dress?"  Nothing, but do you really want to blend in the wave of little black dresses everywhere?

This Holiday season, I'm going to move away from traditional and opt for a look that can be seen both as professional and fun. If you take a look at what the trends are for winter clothing, the classics are still here, but with a nice modern twist. The little black dress became the little black outfit with so many pieces to choose, wearing just black is anything but boring. Bottega Veneta, Yves Saint Lauren, Givenchy and Maison Martin Margiela all showed black tailored suits at their shows. The perfect combination between office femininity and elegance. You may already own these pieces - add some feminine accessories to tone down the office vibe and open toe high heels to make it festive. If you want to move away from black, two other colors that are really strong this season is camel and gray. The combination of this two colors looks so chic! Instant glamour. A gray dress with camel high heels/boots - a gray dress with a camel jacket or cape (yes, capes are fun!) - gray blouse with camel pants. Simple and yet elegant for an office/client event.

As I was devouring the pages of Bazaar's Runway Report for Fall/Winter 2010 I saw a wise tidbit: "The smallest statements often make the biggest splash."  I cannot agree more. Add some red shoes to that camel pant/gray blouse outfit. You don't need the latest purse or the biggest hat to make a statement - you need what compliments your clothing the best. A simple thing that makes you memorable. Bazaar calls them "Micro Trends." Those little pieces in your closet that are often ignored but they have the power to make you an instant trend. It can be that velvet skirt you never wear, the red belt hanging in the closet or the sweaters you think are too plain for the office. It's just a matter or remembering your audience and keeping it professional, but fun at the same time. 

Who knew professional events would be so much fun to dress for?