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Help Dress Me
For a Holiday Party

The holiday season makes for a great way to show off your latest festive wardrobe additions, but what happens when preparing for an upcoming holiday party isn’t as effortless as you thought it would be? Whether it’s a formal event, a casual gathering at a friend’s house or a fun cocktail bash, it’s obvious you want to look your best and in order to make the right impression, you should plan your outfit according to a few simple rules that will help you achieve the perfect holiday party attire.

One of the most important aspects to take into account before walking out the door is the dress code and who will be at the party. Is it a black tie event? A family reunion with lots of kids playing around? Will your superiors show up at the after-hour Christmas party? Always plan your outfit with these factors in mind and be ready to adjust your attire according to the nature of the event. If in doubt, it’s always best to maintain a formal vibe rather than break out in a sparkling neon mini-dress.

Another suggestion would be to ask around and find out what styles the others are planning to sport. As a general rule of thumb, if you’re asking yourself if you’re bearing too much skin, or if your outfit is too bold or decadent, it probably is. Oh, and always keep in mind the differences between “costume party” and “holiday attires”.

Evidently, it’s always a good idea to turn to a Little Black dress to wear at an upcoming party, yet now is the time to put your love for color on display and wear something fun and refreshing. Pick softer versions of your favorite hues, or pair bolder colored accessories with neutral garments.

Avoid wearing the red and green combo as these hues together will most probably fail to do you justice as far as skin tone is concerned, and they also represent an incredibly expected and unfortunate color mix. If you do like red or green, and they really complement your hair color and skin tone, pair one of these shades with neutrals or metallics to make sure your attire doesn’t end up looking costumey.

Speaking of metallics, when is the right time to don some sparkle if not for a holiday party? You can choose to wear shiny garments and accessories even for a formal event, as long as you can avoid getting carried away and picking items that would instantly make you resemble a Christmas decoration. For a more subtle kind of sparkle, go with a black blazer embellished with matte sequins, a neutral fabric with delicate metallic insertions, a jeweled clutch et cetera; anything that isn’t too statement-like is perfectly suitable for brightening you up.

When it comes to unrestrictive holiday parties, you can definitely go for all things shiny, colorful, bold and dramatic. After all, it’s that time of year so if you feel like wearing a gold dress accessorized by a fantastic pair of stilettos, go for it! Wear fashions you feel confident about and have fun! That’s what a holiday party is all about!

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Help Dress Me
For a Wedding

Help Dress Me for a Wedding

You’ve got the invitation.  It’s adorable.  You’ve RSVP’d for you and your +1.  You’ve browsed the gift registry.  Now it’s time for the important stuff.  What DO you wear to that wedding?  Is black still a faux pas?  What about white?  Are flip flops okay?  Here are some do’s and don’ts of guest attire:

Do dress for the occasion.

Formal weddings:

Tradition once dictated that formal weddings were held in the late afternoon or evening.  However, wedding etiquette has changed somewhat and this is no longer always the case.

For her

Yes, you can wear that little black dress.  While black was once a forbidden wedding color, these days it’s perfectly acceptable for formal weddings.  Be careful not to overdress, however.  It’s a wedding, not a prom.  While “formal” for teenagers typically means the shinier the fabric and the more sequins the better, for grownups it means dress nicely, but not as if you’re strolling down the red carpet at The Oscars.  Events that call for that type of clothing are usually labeled “Black Tie.”   Here are some great dresses to browse from!   We have found that Nordstrom has the best easiest picks, why?  Free shipping, free returns, cutting edge fashion.

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For him

If the setting is formal, it’s time to push aside all of the business casual attire he’s got used to wearing, pull the suit out of the closet, and dust it off.  Don’t forget to remind him how seldom he gets to wear a tie these days, and how handsome he looks in one, as he complains while you tie it for him.

Casual Weddings

Casual weddings are a bit more relaxed and fun.  While this doesn’t mean that he can throw on his Levis and you can pull on a jersey dress and call it a day, casual is more flexible.  Again, while tradition has dictated in the past that casual weddings are held in the morning or early afternoon, this does not always hold true anymore.  Be sure to read the invitation carefully for instructions or cues about how to dress.

For Her

Women can wear a skirt and shirt/sweater or a dress.  Pant suits are also acceptable.  The white debate rages on.  Some say yes, it’s the 21st century after all.  Some say never.  We say, why not? Flip flops have become mainstream footwear and a lot of people wonder if they’re acceptable wedding attire.  For casual weddings, yes, particularly casual weddings on the beach where heels can be a pain.

For Him

Typically, for a casual wedding, men can wear khakis or slacks with a button up shirt, tie optional.

Themed Weddings

For Both Him and Her

Yes, you might feel stupid driving down the road in medieval attire, but consider that the theme is important enough to bride and groom that they decided to make it the backdrop of their special day.  Exception:  If the invitation says themed dress is optional, then it’s your call.

Now a few don’ts for us all…

Don’t show too much skin.  Whether the wedding is formal or casual, red light district attire is NEVER appropriate. Cover up a little.

Don’t be too flashy or try to outdress the bride and groom.  As much as we all like to look good, remember that you’re not the intended center of attention.

Don’t dress for the wrong occasion.  These are pretty much no brainers if you read the rest of this article.  Avoid black for a casual wedding, unless it’s in the winter.  Don’t wear flip flops to a formal wedding. Don’t wear white sundresses in the winter or ever to a formal wedding.  Don’t wear jeans…EVER!

If you’d like the assistance of a stylist in deciding your wedding attire, we’ll help dress you!

 

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Help Dress Me
For New Year’s Eve

Some of the most important parties of the year are taking place on New Year’s Eve, and knowing how to dress accordingly will help you make the difference between a fashion marvel and a clothing mishap.

To make a wow-worthy entrance, find out the dress code associated with the party you’ll be attending. A masquerade ball, a prom night or a simple all-black outfit theme can be major deal breakers if you decide to show up in a completely different attire.

Some dress codes may not be voiced out (like in the case of family gatherings or casual parties with friends), yet you should still take into consideration the nature of the event and what the other guests are gonna be wearing, or you might end up looking over or underdressed.

New Year’s Eve is a time of joy and sparkle, so pick garments that are comfortable yet still interesting enough to make you look and feel special. Surely, you don’t want to end up struggling with a stubborn zipper all night, yet a monotonous sweater dress in a moody color is not a good option either; there are numerous things you can wear that look festive, fabulous and comfy enough to dance the night away without the slightest concern, so focus on steering clear from anything that might cause some wardrobe tension, be it an ultra-high heel or an annoying top whose straps don’t want to stay in place.

If you really wish to go glam on New Year’s Eve, pick garments embellished with rhinestones, sequins or metallic lamé. Luxurious fabrics like shiny velvet or satin, or metallic brocade can help you keep up with the glam of the event without looking too sparkly, but rather elegant and classy.

If you’re opting for simple garments in simple fabrics, make sure your accessories are adorned with plenty of details that would draw instant attention. Take your pick from items like bejeweled clutches, glittery high heel pumps, glitzy statement jewelry, eye-catching hair accessories and so on.

If your outfit abounds in memorable details, choose simple, delicate jewelry to keep everything clean. Having some interesting elements adorning your outfit is one thing; too much, and everyone will want to look away.

Great outfit ideas are the ones you feel most confident about. If you love body-con dresses, pick one in a loud color, in a shimmering material, with sparkling appliqués or with cut-outs. The same applies if you’re a jean kinda’ gal. If you can’t imagine yourself wearing anything different than jeans, pick a dark-hued pair that fits you perfectly and sex-it-up by completing your outfit with a shimmery silk blouse, a sequined halter neck top or an intricate lacy corset.

If you’re planning to stay up all night and move around a lot, save your sky-high pumps for some other time, and pick wedges or dressy ballet flats instead. You can also start your New Year’s Eve party wearing sexy heels and change into something more comfortable once you’ve started feeling the fatigue.

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