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What to wear for a night out with friends this holiday season

December 6, 2012

Q. I’m meeting several friends that I haven’t seen for a while to celebrate the holidays and a birthday at a restaurant in New York City. I want to dress up without looking like I’m trying too hard. Any ideas on what I should wear?

A. AnnaLynne McCord and Brittany Snow wore versions of the perfect “night out with friends” combination at the Four Stories premiere this week. Combine these 5 elements for an outfit that’s simple, chic and put-together: a printed top or pretty sweater + slim black pants + heels + clutch + bright lip. If it’s too cool for you to wear pumps with your pants, opt for an ankle boot instead.


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What to wear to your office holiday party

December 4, 2012

Q. My office holiday party will be held at a nice restaurant/lounge later this month and I’m not sure what to wear. Please help!

A. Dressing for an office party can be tricky: you want to have fun and get dressed up, but you’ll still be partying with your boss and coworkers. Your best bet is to stick with your usual office dress code, but with a bit more sparkle. If you typically wear a suit to work, try replacing your underpinning with a sequin top, or replace your jacket with a chic tuxedo jacket, or substitute your pants for a slim tuxedo pant. If you usually wear a dress, perhaps add a sequin belt, statement necklace, or glittery heels to fancy it up a little. Add a little extra eye makeup or a bright lip and you’ll be ready to go.

One important thing to remember: don’t wear anything low-cut, short, or too sexy. It may be a party, but this isn’t the place to show too much skin.

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Let your jewelry make a statement. Jet/Crystal Statement Necklace $78.00 - White House
Let your skirt shine. Halogen Sequin Skirt $59.00 - Nordstrom
Swap your blazer for a tuxedo jacket. Lc lauren conrad velvet tuxedo jacket $74.00 - Kohl’s
Replace your work tote with a sequin clutch. DEUX LUX Anais Sequin Envelope Clutch $90.00 - Lord & Taylor
Fancy up your top. Anne Klein Sequin Blouse $129.00 - Bloomingdale’s
Add a sparkly belt. Glitter round-buckle skinny belt $34.50 - J.Crew
Wear a glittery shoe. Alice Olivia Meyer Suede Glitter Heel Pumps $295.00 - Saks Fifth Avenue

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What to wear when hosting a casual holiday party at home

November 27, 2012

Q. I will soon be hosting a holiday party at my house and need some help with an outfit/accessories. It’s a casual get-together, but I still want to look put together. I’m going to wear dark jeans and possibly the JCrew scattered sequin sweater in red, or Ann Taylor’s cashmere wrap cardigan in red or blue. I’m not quite sure how to accessorize these looks with jewelry or shoes. I’m also open to other top options!

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A. The key to putting together a successful hostess look is to find the right combination of holiday chic and comfort. I tend to get pretty hot when hosting a holiday party with all the time spent in the kitchen and tending to guests, so I avoid anything too warm. And since I spend most of the party on my feet, comfortable shoes are a must. For even a casual holiday get-together, I think it’s nice for the hostess to wear something a little special and festive — whether this translates to a sparkly top, a pretty dress, velvet pants, or something red depends on your personal style.

ENZO ANGIOLINI Emzy Suede Ankle Boots $180.00 - Lord & Taylor
Cole Haan Sabrina Suede Smoking Slipper, Black $198.00 - Neiman Marcus
Tory Burch Pietra Doro Earring $195.00 - Tory Burch
Betsey Johnson Necklace, Bead and Fireball Statement $135.00 - Macy’s
Levi’s Misses Classic Slight Curve ID Boot Cut Jean $58.00 - Amazon.com
AG Adriano Goldschmied The Velvet Legging Jeans $178.00 - Piperlime
Cashmere Wrap Cardigan $198.00 - Ann Taylor
Scattered sequin sweater $118.00 - J.Crew

The two tops you are considering are perfect for hostessing. Either would look great with a pair of dark jeans or even one of these fancier denim options. For the sequin sweater, a pair of glam earrings is all the jewelry you need, while the wrap sweater would look stunning with a sparkly statement necklace. Avoid any jewelry that might get in the way like long pendant necklaces or stacks of chunky bracelets. For shoes, a pretty smoking slipper or special flat would be a comfortable choice, or wear one of your more comfortable heels or boots if you own any.

I also like to wear a dress and opaque tights when I host a holiday party — it not only makes me feel put together and a bit more dressed up, but offers more freedom of movement than jeans or skinny pants.

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Meet the parents: what to wear to his family's holiday dinner

November 20, 2012

Q. I’m going to my boyfriend’s for Thanksgiving and it’s the first time I’m meeting his family. He says dinner is casual, but I want to look good. What should I wear?

A. For a family Thanksgiving or holiday dinner with his parents, you want a look that is stylish without being too fussy, casual but still neat, relaxed yet polished. You can’t go wrong with a variation on one of these looks:

1. A cozy chic sweater paired with great-fitting jeans and pumps or boots. To update this classic combination for this season, look for sweaters that have a little something special, whether it be a polka dot print, a metallic sheen or chunky knit. Your jeans can be velvet, brocade or even colored denim for an upgrade on your basic blue denim.

2. Another no-fail look is a pretty blouse paired with skinny pants and heels. This season, we’re loving jeweled collars and pretty prints on silky tops.

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Belle Noel Burgundy Enameled Gold Thread Cuff $160.00 - Boutique to You
Fragments Fireball Tassel Necklace, Navy $65.00 - Last Call by Neiman Marcus
Danger Zone Leather Cap Toe Pump $89.95 - Arden B
Nudie Jeans Co ‘Kai’ skinny jean $153.55 - farfetch.com
Equipment Exclusive Signature Python Print Chiffon Blouse: Cobalt $228.00 - Intermix
MICHAEL Michael Kors Shoes, York Ankle Boots $195.00 - Macy’s
Mother Denim The Looker Sweet Wine Velvet Skinny Jeans $210.00 - Neiman Marcus
FRENCH CONNECTION Polka Dot Print Pullover Sweater $108.00 - Lord & Taylor

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Super-easy ways to style long hair for the holidays

November 15, 2012

Q. I have several parties coming up for November and December and have no idea how to style my hair. I have long wavy/curly hair and usually just wear it down or in a ponytail which doesn’t seem dressy enough. I’m terrible with a curling iron and don’t like to blow my hair straight. Any suggestions?


Amy Adams deep side part, Kirsten Dunst side swept ponytail

A. Two of this season’s most gorgeous hair looks also happen to be super-easy, requiring little extra styling time.

The deep side part — As you can see from Amy Adams’ look above, simply moving your side part over an extra inch can create a dramatic and flattering evening look. Smooth out your waves with a little styling product and sweep your hair over one shoulder and you’re done.

The side ponytail — Perfect for a day-to-evening transition, a ponytail dresses up for a party with a little side swoop. Style your bangs across your forehead towards the side where you’ll create your low ponytail, like Kirsten Dunst above, and secure it with a pretty hair tie. This look works well with sexy “undone” hair or pulled a little tighter for a sleek look.

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