Holiday Party Attire

My husband’s office holiday party is this weekend and I have NO IDEA what I’m going to wear. So it seemed like a good topic for Fashion Friday!

Of course, these occasions vary widely in formality, and I suppose the style quotient differs across different parts of the country, but there are some basics that always work.

They say you can’t go wrong with a LBD, and I suppose that’s generally true, but my husband’s office parties have been fairly casual as of late, and I wouldn’t feel comfortable in a cocktail dress.

I do, however, have a collection of cute tops gathering dust in the back of my closet so I will likely pull one of them out and pair them with my dressy jeans or black ponte knit pants. A fabulous pair of shoes, a piece or two of statement jewelry, and a cute clutch and you’re good to go!!

Last year I wore this glittery top (Ann Taylor, circa 2007) with my favorite jeans and suede pumps to my husband’s party. It was at a VERY casual location last year!! I’m talking bowling alley casual. I KNOW.

I wore this outfit to a daytime holiday party last week. (Kudos to the ladies of Element Associates – Sarah Peppel, Debbie Bookstaber and Melissa Angert – for throwing a fun and festive Cyber Monday Luncheon!!)

I’m considering reworking this outfit for Saturday night. It is comfortable and has some bling, although at the end of the day, it is rather safe.

It’s times like these when I wish I had a pair of leather pants. I don’t, and I don’t want to spend the money to get them either, so I will probably make my black ponte knit pants work.

I tend to be a bit of a plain jane, but I’ve learned to make a primarily black outfit work by incorporating some bling or texture and ideally one fabulous accessory — either shoes or jewelry or handbag. In this case, I really needed a statement accessory. The shirt has the bling, and I did try to pick my most striking jewelry but I needed something more. I think the outfit would have popped with a truly great collection of stacked bracelets or perhaps a wow pair of earrings. Or maybe a great bag? The bag I carried I like a lot, but it was black too. I guess I have some shopping to do!!

This year I’d like to branch out and wear COLOR! Imagine!

An embellished sweater is always nice . . . and safe. I like safe. Ha!

This gold dot date top is cute.

Or this Lynx Print Silk Top by Ella Moss! That would be awesome with black coated denim jeans and some really jazzy platform pumps!

Of course, pants aren’t always appropriate for holiday parties. Any of the above tops would be fab with this sequined skirt.

And this Sequin Mirror Skirt is stunning. (I’m assuming the model is 6’10” and it wouldn’t be a mini skirt on us ordinary humans.)

Wouldn’t this Chantilly Lace Charmeuse Blouse be perfect with that black sequin skirt (above)?? I like that it’s not bare, but it’s still festive. I often get cold at winter parties in sleeveless tops.

Velvet pants are fun too. But what I really want are leather, or coated denim. I just fear I wouldn’t get my money’s worth.

Wait. I said color, right? It is hard to find holiday tops in color right now. What is UP with that??

Okay, there is this. Wouldn’t those velvet pants look fab with this Tiered Striped Top?

And this black sequin tank is simple but cute. You can see what I gravitate to, right?

Here are some outfit examples. You know, if I were going to go shopping before Saturday, which I’m probably not.

How about you? Do you have any holiday parties this year? What are you wearing? Or what are your biggest fashion challenges? I will try to help!