defining “festive attire”

Every year, Husband's Company has  Christmas Party Holiday Party and the invite always says "festive attire."  And every year, all of my husband's co-workers' wives and I say, "What the heck does that mean?"  Unlike the guys, we can't just throw on a suit and be fine. The female wardrobe is MUCH more complex. Thank goodness.
So after 5 years of "festive attire" parties, I define it as "dressier than work, but not too formal." Here are a few of my suggestions:

1. The little black dress is ALWAYS okay. If you're worried about being too formal, try it with minimal jewelry and flats. Or go in a different direction: a little grey dress or a sweater dress.

2. A sweet cardigan with a hot necklace. (Oh, my word, I am in LOVE with this cardigan!)

3. A terrific pair of dark skinny jeans with heels or trouser jeans with boots can easily be dressed up enough to be appropriate for a party!! Pair your jeans with a silk top or a cute jacket or blazer.

4. The embellished top trend makes it super easy to dress up jeans or black pants! This one would look fabulous with a pair of wool pants or trouser jeans. And lets not forget MY favorite trend: ruffles! (Very. Festive. Indeed!)

My verdict? If I was going shopping with a nice fat gift card, I would buy this top. With black pants, heels and bangles. But I'm probably going with a plum wrap sweater dress (with ruffles!) that I picked up at Target this fall!

For more Fashion posts today, check out Musings of a Housewife, Big Mama as well as Blissful Style.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
About Melissa

Melissa is founder of Girlymama and co-founder of the fashion blog, All Things Chic. You can also find her designing blogs at Eliza Grace Design and on Twitter as GirlymamaMel.

Comments

  1. 1
    Tiffany says:

    i love those heels!

  2. 2
    nicole says:

    I want to buy almost everything you linked! That plum colored silk top with the cowl neck is gorgeous! Almost makes me wish I wasn’t pregnant and that I had something to go that requires such a top.

  3. 3
    Stephanie says:

    I just went to my husband’s company party tonight actually. :) I wore dark wash jeans, a black cardigan, a great custom necklace, and gray heels.
    I bet you’re going to look stunning in your plum sweater dress.

  4. 4
    EveryChapter says:

    Oh I love your fashion sense- I just ooggled the “This One” top from anthropology this afternoon! As in pulled out the tag and looked even though I knew that it was out of my budget just for being in Anthro…but oh so darling. Did you see their beaded dressy headbands- *sigh*

  5. 5

    i KNOW!! i love anthropologie and always include it in my fashion posts…. but sadly, i do not own a single piece of clothing from there.  (and their accessories!! *SWOON!*)

  6. 6
    Janel says:

    Oh, this is so helpful! Now if I only had somewhere to go! I do not have one dressy party this year! Unbelievable.