First I must say that you look beautiful in that photo Angie! And the shawl is so pretty!

I really enjoy these articles on dressing up and this looks like a lovely idea. Sadly, I never get to apply them and I l do love to dress up. The only holiday party that actually happens for me is my department’s party that’s on a afternoon of a regular workday so everyone comes wearing their usual subcasual work clothes. I always get tempted every year when the holiday wear gets on sale, I even get a few pieces, but they almost never get worn.

Well, I’ll live vicariously through all the lovely YLF ladies that actually do get to dress up for holiday parties.

Angie, I love this picture of you. You have a lovely smile. You look beautiful and very elegant – like a movie star. Everything works, the dress, handbag, scarf and signiture pearls.

Thanks for the tips and reinforcing that we don’t need to spend a lot of money to look great. I decided not to purchase any new holiday items this year. Our firm will not have a holiday party this year. I have already shopped from my closet for holiday wear for more casual holiday occasions.

Oh that’s a shame, Tanya. I know you love to dress up. Perhaps you can create your own festive occasions with your sweetie?

Thanks for the compliment. We had Greg’s formal Christmas company party a few weeks ago and it was fun. The shawl was SUCH a find. It’s quilted so it’s warm. It works with other formal dresses I have and of course, I can wear it with jeans. It’s not going to date and I love it’s vintage look. I shall have it until it falls apart.

Yes, I must agree with the others, you certainly are beautiful in your formal wear! So lovely!

I like your ideas for dressing up jeans and I will keep them in mind.

We have a black tie event next weekend, the same one I stressed over last year. I agreed to wear a dress hanging in my closet, rather than buy a new one. When I tried it on yesterday, I couldn’t zip it! Oooops! So I’m on a crash diet to see if I can lose enough weight to fit into it. If not, next Wednesday, I’ll be going shopping! (That wouldn’t be too bad, except on my husband’s credit card!)

What a beautiful picture of you Angie. Your hair is so shiny and your red lipstick acts as an accessory. You’re brilliant. You are as sparkly as your shawl so you harmonize well.

Can something like this work for the office as well as as holiday parties?

http://www.whitehouseblackmark.....&size=

Also, what is the role of the dress at casual holiday parties? I have one from last year I was planning on wearing– it’s a sweater dress with sequins. But I’m wondering if the downturn in the economy makes this not a good idea.

Angie, I love seeing pictures of you too. The wrap is fantastic and you are beautiful in it.

now you’re speaking my language, Angie. These kinds of parties are in the majority, in the circles I run in (although I’d love to wear a lovely ball gown somewhere like yours-pretty picture)!

Angie, you are gorgeous!! and thanks for addressing this topic.
I actually didn’t attend a Christmas luncheon today because I couldn’t put anything together to wear in time. What I thought I had from purchases last spring were way too big now (should have realized that) and I spent the morning trying things on. I’m bummed. We have a semi formal event on Saturday, so I’m near panic at this point. I have no time to shop between now and then except in my closet.
When I do get out shopping, I’ll be sure to keep your post in mind. Maybe I can start a new trend with the church ladies by dressing up jeans

Tanya, maybe you can get a friend or even older lady aquaintance to dress up with you and go to Nordstroms for a nice lunch or tea or wine. I’d also suggest joining some groups that do volunteer work or have an interest you share, maybe a professional women’s group. These almost always have some holiday party. It would also help take your mind off being so far from your BF. A group of women friends will enrich your life in many ways.

Terrific ideas, Angie. I already have these items in my closet, so I guess I’m in business. Now I need opportunities to wear them

Angie, you look absolutely beautiful! Thank you for sharing your picture. The shawl looks incredible. I like how it doesn’t compete with your natural beauty, instead it enhances and makes you look radiant. And I’m sure you’ll get a lot of use out of it.

Angie I just wanted to echo everyone else and say how much I loved seeing a piccie of you. You look smashing and the shawl is beautiful – hope you had a great night that night!

p.s. first time I’ve seen a pic of you without your glasses! Do you wear contacts or be lazy like me and “go blind” without them?

Angie you look lovely! I have the same question as Yublocka about your glasses?

Hi Angie,
Here is another resounding…What a wonderful picture of you!
I love the look you put together. It is elegant and yet appears comfortable enough to hit the dance floor and stay for awhile. Always my ultimate desired combination if going out to a special occasion.
What type of shoe were you wearing that night?
I love the look of a higher heel for evening but without serious practice I am a runaway train when I have them on.
I am not a platform shoe person, as you may remember I have an hourglass shape and I have a fairly classic look- (Boston Tea Party). I think I read somewhere that a company was going to make a higher heel and have it set back like a kitten heel so it was easier to wear? Am I dreaming here?

Kellee

The outfits posted in photobucket are awesome! Headturners for sure!!! Very impressed.

Thank you Rhonda, San, Eva, Patience, RSRP, Anne, Lulu, Yubloka, Lena, Kellee and Joy (I know I could have said “thank you ladies”, but I wanted to address each of you in person). Your awfully kind compliments have made my day. I thoroughly enjoyed dressing up for the occasion. It was all in my closet bar the new shawl. I went to a Ball in Paris in May and wore the same outfit (sans the shawl). Easy!

Kellee, the dress falls over the knee and flares out quite a bit (it has a tulle petticoat). I wore delicate black polka dot fishnets and stacked, chunky heeled tomato red round-toed Kate Spade pumps. I love bright red and it matched my lipstick. It added a super modern touch to a very classic dress. The frock has a low V in the front and back and is fitted at the waist. It’s a 50’s vintage copy and I was extremely comfortable all night. I even took my shawl off for some of the time. I’ve realized that when it comes to formal events I enjoy to dress in an era. This was a late 50’s style, but I also have formal dresses that resemble the 20’s and early 60’s. I think it’s a fun way to turn out.

Eva, you have plenty of fab stuff that will work for casual holiday parties. Give me a shout if you need help putting your ensembles together.

Rhonda, keep us posted on whether you get a new frock. You’ll get one for a steal if you need to purchase.

Anne and Yublocka, I don’t wear contacts, and as you said “was blind for a night” – not too bad though. I’m short sighted so as long as the people were close I could recognize them. I also had my specs in the car in case of emergency.

Lena, like Tanya, perhaps you could create your own festive occasions so that you can wear those holiday clothes

Joy, I’m sorry you missed today’s do. Please go to the next one and buck the trend!

Patience, it really depends on the dress code of the office. Gorgeous jacket you posted. I see no reason why you can’t wear the sequin sweater dress unless I’ve missed something. Dresses are great options too and remember that you can dress them down with flat boots and a denim jacket.

You looked absolutely stunning Angie, and that truly is a gorgeous shawl! I won’t be attending a ball during the holidays, but your post has inspired me to dress up my jeans with a festive top, and a scarf, of course;-)

Thank you, Inge. I knew you’d like the idea of a festive scarf

I’m late but I’m glad that I didn’t miss this post. Angie you look much better than some of the stars on red carpets! So elegant, graceful and inspiring. A shawl like yours is on my after Christmas shopping list now.

Thank you, Julia. That’s so very gracious of you. I can’t wait to see your post Xmas shawl!

Angie, thank you for this post. Most of the holiday parties I get to attend are casual ones. You look lovely in that shawl and evening dress! I wish I had more opportunity for formal events, because I love dressing up.