FASHION: Life of the Party

Season’s Greetings! Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy New Year! There are a number of ways to celebrate the joy of the season. No matter how you choose to revel in the spirit of the holidays this year, make sure you do it in style. Let’s face it, the best part of holiday parties is being the envy of all the guests as they gawk at your Martha-Stewart-approved décor and Vogue-inspired fashion trends. 

Statement coats.

Think Olivia Pope meets realistic woman on the go. The coat is winter’s number one fashion accessory. It’s the statement piece that everyone remembers. It’s what guests see you in once you arrive and it’s what catches their eye once you leave. Remember, you’re dressing for a party, not the slopes of Aspen. Above all, make sure you pick a coat that compliments your frame. Narrow frames should stick with long-tailored coats while shorter coats with bell shaped skirts will help accentuate your curves. Last year, the peplum dress was all the rage, and now the peplum has made its way onto the coat. Try out this trend by finding a structured coat full of personality.

The work soiree.

After you’ve decided whether to actually attend the work event or not, your next big decision is probably what to wear. Keep it simple with black and white. Never underestimate the power of the little black dress. Dress it up with statement jewelry or a nice shoe. Go for a tailored look. You can easily turn your everyday office wear into the perfect office party attire by embellishing your basic black pants and white blouse with a higher heel and accessories. Trade in your typical cardigan for a sweater or blazer cape. It’s the new chic way to dress up your basic jeans and pants.

House party.

Who cares if it’s cold outside? You’re the host! Forget the freezing temps and be the belle of your own ball with a hot party dress. This is the time to get creative—glitter, gold, sequins, bright colors, lace and even prints. Be the holiday ornament that the party revolves around.

Now that you’ve got your attire covered, here are some quick design tips for this Christmas!

Mesh it up.

A little garland mixed with a whole lot of mesh goes a long way. Deco mesh is perfect for the small apartment Christmas décor and can even help glam up your mansion-sized Christmas party. Most craft stores provide mesh in a wide variety of colors and patterns. First, start with your garland. Unravel and straighten the branches. Next, intricately wrap lights throughout the bough of greenery. Next, secure the mesh to one end of the garland. Take one piece of garland and wrap it around the mesh to create a loop. Continue this pattern while making pretty bows up and down the bough. You can crisscross or do two colors on each side. Just remember to have fun! Nothing worse than being stressed over the holidays!

One centerpiece will do.

Instead of filling tables and the mantle with every ornament and arrangement you can find, keep it simple with one eye-catching design. If all your Christmas budget goes to gifts, find items around the house that you can use for centerpieces. Old wine bottles turn into the perfect holiday vases. Spray paint them white and arrange tea lights around the bottles. It’s also the year of the mason jar. Everyone is using them for everything! Instead of dipping into your nonexistent holiday budget at work, ask your fellow employees to bring empty jars to decorate. Take tree branches, spray paint them your favorite color and place them in the jars. Hang ornaments from the branches and create a rustic Christmas.

No matter how you celebrate, revel in style this year!