The Party Dress

The holidays are a time to celebrate with family and friends, to enjoy each others company with decadent food, inspiring music, and all of the traditions and customs of the season. It's also a time to join in a little revelry as the year is put to bed and the prospects of a new year are dancing in front of us.

And, well, speaking of revelry and dancing, this time of year often ushers in many a party -- whether it be the office shindig, the friend's fabulous holiday soiree, your family's traditional gathering, or that fancy New Year's Eve fete. All of these festivities mean an opportunity to shop for some chic party dresses. While some of these get-togethers might not require such fancy attire, it certainly doesn't hurt to look as wonderful as you feel or, at least, to wear a pretty dress to make you feel wonderful.

So, here are some spectacular party dresses that would most definitely make me feel wonderful and sexy and ready to ring in the new year!

And whether or not you attend any fancy parties this holiday season, may your final weeks of the year bring you happiness in whatever you wear and in whatever way you celebrate.

Cheers!

 Diane von Furstenberg, Achava Embellished Dress, $698 (Wow! I suppose if you a party where you need to dress to impress); ModCloth, Premier and Dear Dress, $157.99; Anthropologie, Effervescence Dress, $188; Zara, Lace Dress, $99.99.

Packing for Paris: Part Three

Shirts, tees, sweaters, cardigans. I obviously can't go topless in Paris. (Okay, well maybe I could get away with it, but it might get too cold for those kinds of shenanigans.) So to ensure my torso (and other accouterments) stays warm, I will need to make sure I have a decent supply of tops to go along with my skinnies and kicks.

And although I have a healthy supply of tops already vying for their place in my suitcase, I would like to supplement them with some fun yet basic shirts that will allow me to mix and match at my pleasure. Here are some of the treasures I found online that I think would be a great addition to my traveling wardrobe.

Polka Dot Sweater, J.Crew Factory, $47.50; Blue striped t-shirt, Anthropologie, $29.95; Jeweled Collar Sweatshirt, LOFT, $54.50; Black Sweater, Zara, $59.90; Chambray Popover Shirt, New York & Company, $20.

Packing for Paris: Part Two

Now that I've got my kicks figured out, I've got to figure out what I'm going to wear to cover my bee-hind. Being that I'll be in Paris and London in early Fall, I'm planning on wearing pants and jeans most days. Although I don't mind skirts or dresses, I typically only wear them for work or church. And since I definitely won't be doing the former and will unlikely be attending the latter, pants will suffice.  I may throw in a dress or skirt just in case I venture out for a little nighttime fun -- which I hope to do at least once (or deux).

For most of the time, though, pants it will be. And by pants, I mean jeans and khakis (or what other people might refer to as chinos or basically cotton pants). What's great is that there are plenty of options to chose from, although it seems most of the world is currently having a love affair with skinny jeans. (I've even seen advertisements for skinny skinny jeans, which leads me to wonder: How much skinnier can jeans get before we just start painting them on ourselves? I mean, come on, unless you have sticks for legs, skinny jeans just become a veritable self-esteem ass kicker.)

Thankfully designers still offer the standard fair of pant shapes -- straight, bootcut, flare, etc. -- and so as to maintain some level of fashionable style, I've decided that the straight and slightly skinny pant that skims the ankles will be my go-to chic pant style for across the pond. I've already got a couple pairs of jeans that fit the bill (although one pair might cause internal damage if I wear them for too long) and at least one pair of khakis that will look great with almost anything I wear. But I'm on the prowl for more! So, here are some recent styles I found while perusing my usual fav stores.

 1. Chino Trousers, Land's End, $59; 2. Houndstooth Trousers, Zara, $79.90; 3. Slim Ankle Pant, Banana Republic, $89.50; 4. Straight Leg Jeans, LOFT, $69.50; 5. 1969 Real Straight Jeans, Gap, $69.95.

The Yin and Yang of Style

Keeping with the style tip theme of the last couple weeks, here is an essential rules when it comes to developing a personal style of your own.

Michael Kors' Rule #9

Combine covered arms with bare legs; classic trousers with plunging necklines; conservative dresses with an outrageous shoe.

What's great about this rule is that it is pretty versatile. It's taking classic pieces and adding some oomph to them -- and that is basically the essence of style.

Nine West Bezel sandal, Piperlime, $79.99; Polka-dot sweater and miniskirt, Mango, $24.99 for each; Top with waistband, Zara, $35.99; Asymmetric top, Zara, $39.99.

Keep It Simple

Another very simple style rule – number 2 on the Michael Kors’ style  list – is to, well, keep it simple. That is, pick items that are effortless in structure, shape, and color. If you build your style around well-made items – either a more expensively made item or a tailored one – that are classically built and in a neutral color, you can create a foundation for any other look. It’s like a house or a painting or a cocktail – the foundation, the background, and the liquor needs to be constructed well, accentuate the positives, and be top-shelf enough to make a statement. Once you have them all in place, you can add almost anything else to it.

And, so, here we are at Rule #2:

"Buy tailored jackets, coats, dresses, and pants in neutral colors."

There are plenty of budget-friendly stores out there that offer an array of these types of clothes – Ann Taylor, LOFT, Banana Republic, J.Crew, The Limited, just to name a few. And, most department stores carry all sorts of pants, dresses, and jackets to fit almost any size.

The key, however, to getting a tailored fit is to actually get these items tailored. I know it is an added expense, but let me tell you, it is a wonderful feeling when you have something fit your body perfectly. It makes buying an okay-fitting sale item even more special when it is alter just enough so that you feel like you spent triple what you paid. And finding a descent tailor is not that hard or expensive either. The last time I had something altered – two skirts – I believe I paid around $15 for each piece.

In the meantime – while you find a good tailor – here are some almost-tailored-like items that fit Michael Kors’ #2 rule.

 1035 Jacket & Trouser, J.Crew, $240 & $140; Ellen Tracy Cap Sleeve Sheath Dress, Nordstrom, $110; Double-Breasted Raincoat, Zara, $99.90; Kate Spade "Brent" Linen Sheath, Nordstrom, $398 (not very budget-friendly, but probably well-worth it!)