And the Holidays are Here...

Joan King

December 13, 2018

Just like that, it’s holiday season. Many of us are running around trying to keep up with the demands of the holidays. Food prep, gift buying, holiday cars, holiday parties, trips to see Santa or maybe the Grinch… these tasks are filling our calendar throughout the month of December. From one weekend to the next, I have any number of holiday events scheduled. Some of these are very casual (breakfast with Santa) and others are a bit more formal (holiday cocktail party). And the very last thing you have time to do is figure out what to wear.

When you’re trying to fit in multiple events in one day, you most definitely don't have time to sit in front of your closet and attempt to pick an outfit. TIP: pick out 2-3 different outfits that might work well for your events. So if you have more casual type events on your plate, look to plan for 3 different outfits that could satisfy your needs and have those on deck. They don’t have to be totally separate outfits. For example, you can use the same pair of jeans in all 3 outfits.

What about when things get a little more formal? A holiday cocktail party, a new year’s eve soiree or even a holiday wedding could be in your calendar this month. Well, then it’s worth digging through what you already have to see if anything can satisfy the current need. Is it still stylish? Does it still fit? What if you find that your current wardrobe isn’t going to cut it, time to go shopping. So what are the current trends in formal/cocktail wear this season? Like most holiday seasons, shimmer and shine are in style. We’re also seeing a fair amount of velvet this year. Sequins and lace have been spotted this season as well. And don’t forget the jumpsuit! Jumpsuits are still everywhere in any and every style. These jumpsuits can be extremely versatile - dressed up or down for a trip to the nutcracker, dinner with friends, or that office holiday party.

Need a little inspiration? What’s out there in retail stores this season? Look no further, get a feeling for this season’s holiday styles, right here!

J.Crew Collection spaghetti strap pleated midi dress

December 22, 2015

Party Dress Shopping

December 22, 2015

Big plans for NYE? In need of a new party dress?

I’ve always found that party dresses are the most fun to shop for. For the most part, you can wear anything your heart desires. Party dresses break all the rules. We tend to be a little more adventurous in a party dress. Maybe it’s a little shorter or tighter or flashier than we would normally wear…. but, it’s a party! It’s the perfect opportunity to wear something we might not otherwise.

This time of year there is a large inventory of party dresses in all kinds of styles. The current trends are leaning towards short fit & flare skirts, sequins, lace and shimmer. This doesn’t mean that you can’t wear your trusty little black dress to your NYE party. THE LBD will ALWAYS be in style. But if you’re looking to add a new dress to your wardrobe, I would recommend trying something a little outside your comfort zone. There are some gorgeous dresses on the market now and while your first thought might be “that won’t look good on me”, “I’d never wear that”, “I can’t pull that off”… You really need to try stuff on. You might be surprised at how amazing you look in the mirror!

I always try to push clients to try things on that might be out of their comfort zone, especially if it’s a style that I think will work for their coloring or body type. In most cases, they are surprised to see how great it looks. “It’s something I would never have picked out for myself, but I love it.” And it opens up a whole new style for them. Try this when it comes to party dress shopping. The only person, who’s going to see you in the fitting room, is YOU! What have you got to loose?!!

If you like shopping with a friend, that’s even better. Make sure you tell her to be honest! You don’t want her to tell you it looks great just to make you feel good. If the fitting room has the mirrors that go around in a semi-circle, use that. See yourself from all angles so you can be your best critic.

Don’t forget to have fun with it! Half the fun can be buying the dress!

In case you’re interested in some ideas, I have a few dresses selected below to get you started: