Cup Half Full: Holiday Fashion Guide

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Holiday Fashion Guide

The month of December is most obviously one of the busiest times of the year, where my social calendar is packed with festive get-togethers, holiday shopping, and spiked eggnog around every turn. The last thing I want to worry about is what to wear at the last minute, so I've put together some holiday fashion inspiration, to keep me focused despite the chaos.

Holiday Lunch:
Whether it's an upscale lunch with friends downtown, or a swanky client lunch for work, a head to toe look with winter white is chic, and simple to pull together. Look for a creamy white in luxe fabrics like silk, silk-cashmere blends, and cashmere. These fabrics will keep you warm in chilly weather, and the fabric will drape in a really pretty way. One thing to be cautious of is cheap fabrics - since it's a monocromatic look, poor quality will be very easy to spot. Also, when doing all white, do not go for anything too form fitting. It will accentuate every flaw, and nothing looks cheaper than tight, white clothing.

Holiday Lunch by beckyc1923 featuring lip makeup

Moschino wool shirt / Tulle Clothing / 3.1 Phillip Lim / Vince Camuto taupe high heels / Estée Lauder lip makeup, $29

Office Holiday Party:
You may be attending a fancy dinner or cocktail hour for your Office holiday party, but do not forget for a moment that you are with co-workers, and you are still essentially "at work." This means, if you wouldn't wear it in front of your grandmother, then you shouldn't be wearing it at all. A good rule of thumb: nothing too low (ie: cleavage bearing), nothing too short (your skirt shouldn't be more than 3" above the knee), and nothing too tight (this is pretty self explanatory). A classic red sheath dress is still festive and feminine, classic pearl accessories will pop against the bright color, and a little leopard clutch never hurt anyone. Trust me when I say, nearly every office has that one person who is going to break out the too short, backless ensemble - do not be that person!

Office Holiday Party by beckyc1923 featuring pearl jewelry

Roksanda Ilincic wool crepe dress, $1,255 / Forever New , $94 / B Brian Atwood peep toe pumps / Dorothy Perkins clutch handbag / Kate Spade pearl necklace / Majorica pearl jewelry

Christmas Shopping
I think we've all made this mistake before - wearing your very cutest "It's Christmas-time in the City" outfit to hit the stores, only to regret those stiletto boots an hour into your shopping expedition. If you haven't, you are one of the lucky ones, but take it from me - there is NOTHING worse than aching feet, when tromping from store to store. Comfort is key - flat or nearly flat boots with good support will be your best friend, and I am a huge fan of leggings with a long tunic sweater or sweater dress. You will be super comfortable, and chic enough to stop into Nieman's for a quick latte mid-day.

Christmas Shopping by beckyc1923 featuring high heel shoes

Fat Face knit top, $72 / Green coat / Oasis legging, $18 / Clarks high heel shoes / Barbour leather satchel handbag, $320 / Dolce&Gabbana dolce gabbana, $515 / Estée Lauder lip makeup, $29

Christmas Dinner
I know a lot of people who spend Christmas Day in their pajamas, and everyone wears their elastic waist pants to dinner. If that's your family, you can skip this part, because I am a firm believer in making Christmas dinner a special event. Evening gowns not required, but I think a cute sweater dress, patterned lace tights, and a pair of these gold capped pumps would make the perfect ensemble to gather with family, open gifts, and eat a delicious meal together. It's church appropriate, comfortable enough to get through plenty of that roast, and the tights will help save your legs from the cold during the annual after dinner walk through the neighborhood to see the lights.