Less than two weeks to Christmas and all those parties are happening. If you need inspiration, Holley is in the house today to put the “Merry” in your merriment!
My absolute favorite holiday parties are the ones hosted at a friend’s house or small get together at a restaurant or even office parties. Since these parties tend to be more casual, the pieces you wear can be incorporated into your everyday work and casual wardrobe.
So, two things you need to know about me:
- I love to mix and match
- …and I love all the sparkles and textures this season!
What fashion piece shouts royal more than velvet? To give yourself the royal treatment, think about wearing velvet pants. So, maybe you wore a fabulous velvet pantsuit to a cocktail party. Now it’s time to rethink the suit. Velvet pants look great with a sweater and even with a denim blouse tied at the waist. A velvet jacket can go anywhere from a fun holiday party to being matched with your favorite pair of jeans. All you have to do is dress it up or down with accessories. Another great velvet option is velvet shoes or boots. Sound impractical? Not really. Because after the parties, what a great way to add a happy pop to your winter wardrobe! Cheaper than therapy, right?
Twinkle, Twinkle! So much sparkle to choose from this season! One of the things I love about holiday sparkle is when the sparkle continues after the holidays.
A fun party look is a sequined jacket or sweater. Pair it with satin slacks or with a pair of jeans. Add your party bling and you are ready to shine! And, don’t forget sequined leggings. These put sparkle in the spotlight and you will want to stick with strappy metallic or neutral heels. They are the perfect kickoff for any luminous outfit.
Speaking of metallic, it is the perfect shine for the party season. And though it works great as a party outfit, I consider it a neutral texture that goes with everything. I have been in love with metallic for a long time. One of my favorite handbags is a silver metallic Coach bag. I carry it everywhere from church, to meetings, to a holiday party. Metallic pleated skirts were so popular at New York Fashion week and will continue to be on-trend this spring. Just add a sweater and boots and there you have it…a fabulous party and everyday look. If you plan to add one of the holiday textures to your wardrobe, make sure it is metallic!
Let’s do not forget office parties. Many time these gatherings are held at lunch time and you may be wearing a suit. Think about substituting a satin or chiffon blouse with a bow either in a neutral color or a holiday color. A great investment for this time of year would be a red coat. Wear it over your suit to give it a holiday color pop. Maybe your firm is hosting a holiday cocktail party in the evening. This is when you will want to add some sparkle and glitter! There are so many great sequined and metallic skirts and pants to choose from.
For an office party, the main ideas is to keep the sparkle to one piece. Add a flowy blouse or a sweater and keep your jewelry simple. The whole idea is to look party-ish and stay classy.
Sparkle and shine a little much for you? If that’s the case, then do what Holley would do! Wear black and white because you can never go wrong with a classic black and white look. Plus, I bet you already have the perfect black and white separates in your closet.
If it’s really cold out, add a fur jacket or fuzzy sweater and of course, think about adding a little bling to your classic look with jewelry and an evening bag.
The trick to staying classy is keeping it simple with just a hint of merry, of course! Be sure to check out Holley Williams Style on Pinterest for more ideas.
Holley Williams is a personal stylist specializing in closet inventory, seasonal shopping, closet organization and wardrobe consultation. Contact Holley at [email protected].
Hospitality is in my DNA. I founded Home with a Twist, a daughter’s twist on her mother’s traditions, in memory of my mother to celebrate her life and the gifts she shared with me. Mother loved to celebrate life’s occasions – big and small.
Great ideas, Holley. Thanks!