MissusSmartyPants Personal Profile Style ArticleVolume 7 Week 48 November 29, 2012

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Outfit Ideas for the Holidays

It’s the season to sparkle! This is the season to wear splashes of rich fabrics like velvet, faux-fur trim and romantic ruffles and lace and sequins (yes, always wear sequins) to make your look stand out. Wear something fun and joyous so you will enjoy all the sparkle and glory this season brings us.

Do it now. There is no time to wait! Get your holiday outfit together right now, before it gets crazy-busy! If you wait to put together something stylish while the RUSH of holidays is on...you’ll panic because you’ll have NO clue ‘what to wear’--and then you’ll end up spending too much on something you may never wear again!

Coldwater Creek Sequin Shell & Easy Crepe Pant (petites, misses, womens)

Got nowhere to go? I recommend getting something together (from your closet) for a festive event even if you are not invited anywhere. You just might be invited somewhere at the last minute (of course) so it would be good to have a festive outfit already put together! Perhaps your plans only include going out to dinner with family and friends during the holiday season...DRESS UP and be festive! Every occasion during the holidays is more fun when you’ve got your style together.

Now is time to put together what you are going to wear for the upcoming Nutcracker play (for the umpteenth time), holiday parties, church services, and casual neighborhood get-togethers. Having a couple of style ideas “ready to go” in your closet will keep the chaos and stress from creeping in. It will also assure you that you’ll look good (stylish) and and enjoy yourself (without spending unnecessary money on things you don’t really need in the first place).

Too cold to dress up? Nonsense, bundle up. If you don’t live is sunny Los Angeles, chances are it’s going to be pretty cold outside when you do attend a festive event. No worries. You can still wear something fabulous (with sleeves) and look sparkly and wonderful. See my style suggestions below...

Don’t freeze just because you are dressing up!

A basic dress that skims your silhouette will be classy and stylish (you can even wear black tights to keep your legs warm)...

Coldwater Creek Time to Shine Dress (misses, womens)

Brrr....Baby it’s cold outside! Here’s another style idea.

Sequined separates are also a classic choice for festive style...

Brilliant Red Sequin Blouse & Flare Pant (petite, misses, womens)

Always shop in your closet FIRST.

Look for pieces like these below that you could possibly wear BEFORE you head to the stores and plunk down the plastic...

__A sparkly lame top__A nice fitting dress or skirt (solid colors--no prints) __Palazzo (or other dressy) pants__A pretty fuzzy sweater or cardigan

Use what’s in your closet first to help you create your ‘festive’ outfit. Start with the most basic wardrobe pieces--then go from there. For example, start creating an outfit by using a basic black skirt or dress or slack. Even a fitted black blazer and dark dress jeans will be a great starting place for a casual outfit. Now go to your jewelry box and look for sparkly earrings, rings, necklaces, belts--anything festive (sparkly, dressy

and fun). Now check out your shoe selection...do you have dressy shoes from a military ball or fancy wedding or graduation party you could possibly wear? How about red suede pumps (or another bright colored shoe)?

Now mix and match to see what OUTFITS you can come up with using what you’ve got. ***You might only need to purchase one accessory (or a sparkly sweater) to complete your holiday outfit!!!

Relax. You might not need to buy anything new.Those RED pumps can be the start of a fabulous festive look!

Do you have dress slacks in winter-white or a basic black dress you can wear your red pumps with?

Now, add some sparkly accessories---and you’re all set with a fabulous festive look!

NO you don’t!!! Below are style don’ts...holiday decorated sweaters/vests with blinking reindeers, wreaths, or decorated trees on them. They are all OUT OF STYLE and kitschy.

Leave the holiday décor for the front door! These aren’t even remotely stylish...

Tacky sweaters are style DON’TS! You don’t want to be known as the woman that dresses silly, inappropriate or tacky for the holiday office party. You don’t want to be wearing something outdated, ill-fitting or over-exposed either. You will look like a million bucks with MSP’s clever ‘festive style’ ideas below! If you DO need to purchase something festive--DON’T spend too much. You probably won’t wear fancy occasion clothes enough to make plunking down hundreds of dollars worth it. You should be able to find everything to complete your look on sale right now.

Frugal style tip: Check out the sales racks for a simple red dress...

Now add gold sparkly accessories you already own...

Consider purchasing ONLY festive accessories you can wear with your basic dress or dress slacks or black blazer and dark denims...

For example, perhaps all you need is a sparkly red scarf you wear with afuzzy winter-white sweater and slacks...

Snow Blossom Scarf from Coldwater Creek

START with your classic LBD (Little Black/Basic Dress) or a basic black skirt/pant...NOW ADD....

__Add a rhinestone belt __Or sparkly chandelier earrings to take your look up-a-notch__A sparkly gold or plaid hairband__A wrap sweater with a sparkly brooch worn at the neckline__A large sparkly brooch worn at the waist__Metallic or patent leather shoes and handbag to match__A unique jewel-toned clutch

ALL of the above items will add some sparkle to your LBD! Get creative by starting with your “Little Black Dress”.

Start with your LBD (little black/brown basic dress)...

Every SYSter should have a LBD

(Or any dark-colored basic dress) as a basic “go-to” dress...

Tahari Sleeveless Crepe Dress (4-14)

Anna & Ava Bubble Bib Necklace (17" w/ 3" ext.)

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Gianni Bini Jewl Sandals Nina Bridal Larica Pouch Clutch

Your “LBD” works every time!However for real chic-style...don’t wear both a red purse and shoes together—

instead choose either a red (or other color) purse (like above) then wear silver, nude or a black pair of shoes.

Take one soft velvet jacket…a create this festive look:

Coldwater Creek Grosgrain Velvet Jacket (petites, misses, womens)

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Coldwater Creek Pleated Maxi Skirt (petite, misses, womens)

Coldwater Creek Brilliant Blossoms Earrings

OR start your style with a bright-colored dress!

For a festive dressy look... Think: A bold jewel-toned dress!

Coldwater Creek Metallic Lace Dress (petites, misses, womens)

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Dillards J. Renee Nalda Satin Pumps

Of course you could wear a black cocktail dress,

but why when a jewel-toned dress is much more fun?

If you already own a colorful dress or find one on sale for next to nothing—I say “Go for it”!

But be forewarned—You’ll get lots of attention at the party when wearing a bright noticeable COLOR!!

Sparkle in Dressy Separates...

Burnished Sequin Top (misses)

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Dillards ZoZo Palazzo Pants (misses, womens)

Calvin Klein Bree Peep-Toe Wedge (avail. in ext. sizes)

*Style tip: when you wear Palazzo pants (wide-leg pants) always wear a shoe with a heel (even 2” heel). This helps keep your proportions balanced.

Also, with Palazzo pants your shoes should match your pants. For example: black palazzos, black sandals.

Add pizzaz to any basic outfit with a sparkly animal-print clutch!!!

Kate Landry Sequin Poncho

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BCBG Maxazria Evening Clutch

Dressy separates work so well because you can mix and match them.

They also are your BEST choice if you wear different sizes on your top and your bottom.

Dressy-Casual Style Dress-casual means you can wear either a dark skirt, dressy pants

or dark (or black) jeans for dressy-casual event.

A jewel or beaded top/sweater always looks appropriate. You can also wear a colorful camisole or shell with a fitted jacket over the top (for style and warmth).

Adrianna Papell Sequin-Front Shell (4-16)

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NYDJ 'Barbara' Bootcut Jeans in Black (2-16)

Naturalizer Dayna Metallic Sandal (ext. sizes)

And to keep the chill off...

Dolce Cabo Faux Fur Crop Jacket (s-xl)

Budget-friendly festive Style means:

A. You always “shop” your closet first.

B. If you do purchase something new (like the red Metallic Lace Dress from Coldwater Creek or above faux fur jacket from Dillards) be assured you’ll wear these pieces AGAIN and AGAIN! The CPW (Cost Per Wear) of these versatile garments will make them pay off in a short period of time.

More budget-friendly style tips for the holidays:

1. Wear a work suit and show a bit of sparkle with a sequined trimmed camisole or shell underneath. No work purses—switch to evening bag instead.

2. Add a pretty ruffled blouse or one with a touch of lace to a basic A-line skirt or basic pant from your wardrobe. Wear dressier shoes. Carry a gold clutch bag (look for a cute one at a “big-box” retailer or second-hand for next to nothing).

3. Wear the same color from head to toe (monochromatic) and add a jewel colored beaded shrug (cropped sweater) over the top—then add chandelier earrings. This will make you look like a “movie star”!

4. When in doubt, wear pearls! You’ll always look stylish when you wear a classic pearl necklace with a delicate sweater. Even layer on strands of pearls and add a rhinestone necklace too, like Coco Chanel!

5. Buy a “fun” glitzy bag or purchase some inexpensive “over the top” accessory to complete a basic outfit (LBD or basic pantsuit) you already have. All eyes will be on your cute bag or sparkly accessory!

6. Pull your hair back with a couple of ‘sparkly’ clips or a sparkle headband and dust some shimmer powder in pink or flesh tone on your décolletage.

Coldwater Creek Holiday Dressing (misses, womens)

Use these holiday outfit suggestions (before you’re in the rush of the season) and put together a festive outfit (mostly from your closet)! You’ll be ready ahead of time for any invitation that comes your way! Love, Leslie MSP

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