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.
i love those heels!
Posted by: Tiffany | 04 December 2009 at 01:29 PM
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.
Posted by: nicole | 04 December 2009 at 04:59 PM
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.
Posted by: Stephanie | 05 December 2009 at 01:20 AM
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*
Posted by: EveryChapter | 05 December 2009 at 02:22 AM
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!*)
Posted by: melissa from girlymama | 05 December 2009 at 08:42 AM
Oh, this is so helpful! Now if I only had somewhere to go! I do not have one dressy party this year! Unbelievable.
Posted by: Janel | 05 December 2009 at 10:38 PM