By Stacy Cox
Happy Holidays fellow recessionistas! Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Merry Chrismukah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy New Year and, heck, Happy Chinese New Year too (a tad early!) That's a plethora of occasions to celebrate which means a host of holiday outfits to wear. Whether you are headed to an office party, family function or Secret Santa gathering, here is my "hit list" of must-have fashion essentials to help you punch up attire you already have in your closet. (Fashion retailers may want to impale me on a mannequin for suggesting we simplify and mix up our current roster of holiday outfits with just a few new, multifunctional pieces... so if you don't hear from me again, you'll know why!)
If you own a basic suit, urbanoutfitters.com has the most amazing options to wear underneath the jacket. My advice: when you head to work in the AM, wear one of these dressy tanks as it's meant to be worn, and then when it's time to head to one of your holiday parties, wear it backwards and let the sexy back of the tank show in front. I just tried it and it rocks. Just make sure you keep the jacket closed to avoid risking overexposure.
|
Silence & Noise Beaded Racerback Tank Semi-sheer silk tank top cut long (and a bit longer in the back) with a deep scoopneck and pleat-trimmed racerback. Finished with coordinating beading long the straps and back. $58 at urbanoutfitters.com |
Silence & Noise Crochet Back Tank Printed knit tank top with a sheer crochet inset at the back. $29 at urbanoutfitters.com |
Silence & Noise Fringe Cami Cropped menswear racerback vest with chiffon panels at the front topped with layers of beaded embellishments. $78 at urbanoutfitters.com |
Some more creative ways to update your basic suit:
A lightweight trench is easy to layer over tops, turtlenecks, shells and dresses. Satin fabric and silver hue = holiday appropriate... and the $39.99 price tag = buh bye Burberry! Wear it with dresses, skirts, pants and jeans.
A black sequin blazer is perfect to replace your pant or dress suit's conventional jacket.
Add some glam to your look with a "Chanel-esque" statement necklace.
Keep a sparkly clutch in your office desk drawer or at home to add instant party appeal.
|
Mossimo Black: Satin Trench $39.99 at target.com |
Solid Sequined Jacket Black tie beautiful. Get dressed for your next formal affair in a fully sequined jacket. Silk tabbed collar provides contrast. Slightly padded shoulders. $219 at bebe.com |
Merona Multi-Strand Flower Pendant Necklace $17.99 at target.com |
Sequin Clutch A little glitz adds a lot of glam. Add a sparkle to your outfit with a sequin clutch. 3 colors. $79 at bananarepublic.com |
If it's the black sheath dress or skirt you've worn a million times, then get folks looking south with fun hosiery and bold shoes, you'll be glad you did! Another option for punching up a "plain Jane" outfit is to throw on a head-turning party vest or jacket.
|
Falke Micro Stripe Tights Striped opaque tights with 2" ribbed banding at waist. $41.30 (sale) at shopbop.com |
Dolce Vita Madison These red pumps can be a salvation item when you need to punch up your look. It's also sensible and cost effective knowing that you can "work" them with dressy attire or a more casual look with jeans. These shoes have range! $136 at zappos.com |
Silence & Noise Menswear Vest Cropped menswear racerback vest with chiffon panels at the front topped with layers of beaded embellishments. $78 at urbanoutfitters.com |
Stacy - can you please explain this a bit more? I am confused and can't picture this. (I am trying! Very hard!)
"My advice: when you head to work in the AM, wear one of these dressy tanks as it's meant to be worn, and then when it's time to head to one of your holiday parties, wear it backwards and let the sexy back of the tank show in front."
From Stacy: If you keep your blazer closed, you only see the detail of the tank peeking through (and also keep everything else covered up). I did this for a TV segment in San Diego on 11/23. It works! If you're still worried about overexposure, you can layer another tank top underneath.