Recently in What to Wear Category

Q. I have to attend a formal dinner/dance (it’s been compared to a wedding) for my husband’s company. I have purchased this dress from Anthropologie. I was wondering if you could suggest what to wear with it. Because it is a work event, I wanted to wear a sweater or jacket over the dress to cover my arms for at least the beginning of the evening. I tried on a bunch of cardigans and jackets but because of where the dress cuts me in the middle, all of the things I tried on didn’t look right. Do you have any suggestions? I would also like jewelry, tights and shoes suggestions if you have them.

A. Pretty dress! This style dress that has the look of a shirt tucked into a skirt, is a big trend this season. One of the freshest way to wear this dress is with a jacket or blazer, so you are in luck! Everything from a cropped jacket to a longer boyfriend-style blazer would look great with the dress. To give the dress a more formal look, try a jacket with sequins, velvet or a tuxedo style.

For jewelry, we recommend a short but striking necklace that won’t interfere with the delicate ruffles at the neckline, or you can skip the necklace and go for sparkly earrings. A cocktail ring or rhinestone cuff bracelet would pair well with a necklace or earrings. Warning: don’t wear all of these together!

Since this is a formal work event, it’s not really the best time to experiment with this season’s lace or textured tights trend. Instead, go for black hosiery paired with pretty black heels. Have fun!

Steve Madden Women’s Alisah Pump $89 - Endless.com

Juicy Couture Faux Pearl Ring with Stone Cluster $98 - Bloomingdale’s

R.J. Graziano Pearl Cluster Torsade Necklace, 17”L $85 - Bloomingdale’s

Green With Envy Jacket $148 - Anthropologie

QUIKSILVER - Birdland blazer jacket $109 - farfetch.com

Knitted Loopy Sequin Jacket $160 - Topshop

Horizon Line Dress $138 - Anthropologie

Q. I have to go with my husband at his office Christmas party. Any suggestion what would be appropriate to wear? I’m 28 yrs old and size 4.

A. For your husband’s holiday party, you want to strike the balance between festive and fun yet conservative. You want to impress your husband’s colleagues without giving the office gossip something to chatter about. Since you didn’t mention whether this is a casual or formal affair, we are going to assume that the attire falls somewhere in between. Here are two chic yet understated looks to try.

The first look pairs black pants with a sequin tank and velvet blazer for just the right amount of festive sparkle. A rhinestone cuff and platform pumps finish the look. The second look starts with a simple and conservative timeless black dress. Swap out the belt that comes with the dress and add a sequin bow belt, along with a bauble necklace and cocktail ring to turn your understated dress into the perfect party look.

Kenneth Jay Lane Crystal-embellished cocktail ring $100 - Net-A-Porter

Zigi Soho Justus Stretch Platform Sandal $90 - DSW

Bow Front Sequin Stretch Belt $24 - Arden B

R.J. Graziano Pearl Cluster Torsade Necklace, 17”L $85 - Bloomingdale’s

The Sofia $98 - White House

Rhinestone Embellished Hinged Cuff $24 - Arden B

Mix No. 6 Miri Platform Pump $60 - DSW

Parker Tuxedo Pant $181 - Piperlime

Velvet Boyfriend Blazer $170 - Topshop

AE Sparkle Tank $39 - American Eagle

Q. I will be spending the holidays with my boyfriend’s family this year. It’s a casual get-together at home and he says everyone usually wears jeans. It is the first time I’m meeting many of them, so I want to look good, but I also don’t want to overdress. What should I wear?

A. For a family celebration at home, you want to be comfortable but also a bit festive. We suggest a chic sweater dress with tights or a cozy sweater with leggings. Add some sparkly jewelry or a jeweled flat and you have the perfect casual chic look for the holidays. Here are some ideas for inspiration:

Enzo Angiolini Women’s Zambiah High Shaft Flat Boot $109 - Endless.com

Naughty & nice bracelet $36 - Banana Republic

Steve Madden Women’s Conecct Jeweled Ballerina Flat $79 - Endless.com

Champagne bubbles necklace $55 - Banana Republic

Style&co. Sweater, Jacquard Trim Tunic $49 - Macy’s

Rebecca Taylor Hand-Knit Cobweb Cardigan $395 - Bloomingdale’s

Snowflake earring $42 - Banana Republic

MICHAEL Michael Kors Dress, Cowl Neck Cabled Sweater $179 - Macy’s

Q. Next semester for school I will be required to do my student teaching. This is set for 10 weeks in a row. I will start in about February and end in May. I am a college student and am on a budget, but still want to buy pieces I can wear into my first few years of teaching. I also want to be able to wear some of these pieces when I go out to meet up with friends. I want to fit into the professional environment with my clothing, but at the same time still look young and fresh. My question is what stores should I look into? And what pieces do you suggest I buy considering I’ll be teaching through almost 3 seasons (winter, spring, and possibly summer weather)?

A. You can’t go wrong by collecting a wardrobe of cute dresses. This is by far the most versatile piece you can own, and can easily move from work to play depending on what you pair with it. You can also wear the same dress for several seasons by adding tights or layering pieces.

Below are four 3-season dresses paired with several mix and match accessories including a thin turtleneck to layer under a sleeveless dress or short sleeve sweater dress and a blazer and cardigan to layer over the dresses. Add or remove these layers, depending on the weather. Comfortable knee high boots, ballet flats and pumps round out your shoe wardrobe. Add a chic tote, trendy belt and layered necklace and you’ve got the beginnings of a well-rounded wardrobe. All of the pieces are under $100 and perfect for a young professional. Good luck!

Me Too ‘Limit’ Ruffle Ballet Flat $89 - Nordstrom

Chain Front Belt $10 - Wet Seal

Big Buddha Union $74 - Loris Shoes

Mixed-Metal Chunky Hematite Chain Layered Necklace $14 - Torrid

H81 Patterned Cardigan w/ Tie Belt $32 - Forever 21

Clarks - Michelle Marie (Black w/ Dark Brown Lacing) $80 - Zappos

Enzo Angiolini ‘Zoot’ Flat Boot $198 - Nordstrom

Shrunken Blazer $100 - Topshop

Shirred Puff Sleeve Turtleneck $24 - Arden B

Calvin Klein Sleeveless Tie Front Dress $69.99 (sale) - Macy’s

Sweater Project Dress, Short Sleeve Sweater $48 - Macy’s

Lush Tiered Mock Two Piece Dress (Juniors) $42 - Nordstrom

Velvet Torch Back Zip Ponte Knit Dress (Juniors) $52 - Nordstrom

Q. I am a college student in the perpetually rainy state of Missouri. I own Hunter rain boots, but as it tends to be hot and muggy when it rains here, I have no idea how to wear them. My go-to combination of a sweater over skinny jeans is much too warm, and I don’t really like wearing leggings. What do I pair with my boots to avoid being sweaty and wet, while still remaining chic on campus?

A. If skinny jeans or leggings tucked into your Hunter boots aren’t working for you, then sub in a cute skirt to pair with your usual sweater combo. A dress also looks great with rubber boots. Here are 2 looks for inspiration:

Bobi Lightweight Long Sleeve V-Neck Tee $35 - Piperlime

Women’s Plaid Belted Shirt Dresses $29 - Old Navy

Dark rinse denim pencil skirt $54 - Gap

Hunter Huntress $115 - Piperlime