YouLookFab » Party Wear

Informal party dressing

Angie — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:29:40 +0000

Casual holiday parties are actually more common than the formal celebrations we spend a lot of time talking about. These are bashes straight after work, at fancy restaurants, or in people’s homes. Some parties are extremely casual, which makes any form of casual attire appropriate. But most of the time, informal party dressing is about adding a bit of festive fun and bubbly bling to an outfit. Fancier than what you would normally wear to work, but not quite cocktail wear.

My favourite way to dress for these events is to use one of the following three formulas, and these are the outfits I’ll be wearing this year:

Matching a fun frock with fab boots: Choose a relatively dressy dress and throw in a pair of dressy boots, great hose and bling. I chose knee-high boots but pumps or booties are just as effective. Dramatic earrings and a bracelet make a nice alternative to a necklace, as does a sequined scarf. I leave my specs and watch on for these occasions and like to carry a small clutch handbag.
Dressing up a pair of sleek jeans: This is hands down the easiest formula. Choose any silhouette of smart dark blue or black-black jeans and match it with a dazzling top, dressy shoes and bling. Tops that sparkle always go down well, as does a jacket with sheen. I chose to surrender my waistline by wearing a shiny, oversized batwing blouse because the silhouette is of this fashion moment. The casual boxy-ness of the blouse contrasts well with the luster of the necklace. All in the name of trendy fun!
Toning down a sparkly skirt: This formula turns formula #2 upside down. Choose a dazzling skirt and tone it down with a denim jacket, adding a top or blouse, dressy shoes and bling.

You don’t need to stick to a black and cream colour palette matched with pearl and patent accessories. Pick any colour combination and throw in the bling that tickles your fancy. Your style is all about your aesthetic preferences so substitute the formulas with items that are more to your taste.

I am still in love with the pairing of black and cream matched with patent and perfect white pearls. Once a Chanel girl, always a Chanel girl. That’s my style and I feel magical every time I sport the look.

Party wear formula: the unexpected suit

Angie — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:32:32 +0000

Wearing a trouser or skirt suit outside a professional environment isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. They scream strict, matronly, boring and conservative discomfort. I hear you. Suits can look severe and business-y, the opposite of alluring and festive. But they don’t need to. I actually have fun wearing a suit and I feel alluring in a suit ensemble. As is often the case, it’s how you put the look together that makes the difference.

Here is the formula:

Dressy suit + fun, feminine, formal layer + heels + small handbag

I adore the look, ease, polish, presence and practicality of suits and find myself sticking up for the orphaned item at every opportunity. I’ve had a currently styled pants suit in my wardrobe for 15 years and will probably have one forever because it’s a no-brainer timeless go-to item that I can dress both up or down. A suit comes in very handy when you don’t know what to wear for semi-formal and desk-to-dinner occasions. Add a bit of sparkle, spunk and attitude to this formula and you’re good to go:

Here are the components in more detail:

Dressy suit: Suits come in many colours, styles and fabrications. A wool or triacetate-blend solid or baby pinstripe trouser or skirt suit in charcoal, ink blue or black gets my vote as the most versatile option. For my own style, I prefer an uber-tailored, androgynous styled suit with strong simple lines. But there are all sorts of design variations that can make a suit look more playful, like retro collar and button detailing, pocket placement, peplum insets and interesting cuff treatment. Look out for these types of detailing if that’s more to your taste.
Fun, feminine formal layer: This is the key to the formula. A contrasting layer of girly glitz and texture underneath the suit jacket takes the vibe from drab to fab. Opting for a super feminine, soft, shiny and drapey blouse is a flop proof solution. The jade green shell top I’m wearing above is iridescent and ruffled, which contrasts well against the harshness of the suit. I’ve added extra texture to the layer by tying a fish-scaled shawl as a scarf around my neck which double duties as a necklace. In my other example I’ve broken the rules by layering a hard, matte, rigid and masculine button-down shirt with Greg’s tie. But I’ve added back femininity by un-buttoning an extra shirt button and placing the tie INSIDE the collar making it function more like a scarf than a necktie. Draping a whimsical necklace over the tie adds even more texture, contrast and playfulness. If you’re daring, wear nothing but your bra and a lacy camisole under a buttoned-up suit jacket. Pile on a statement necklace and watch those heads turn.
Heels: Very few things are as feminine as a heeled shoe. Peds with bling and sheen work particularly well because they’re visually interesting which once again contrasts well against the severity of the suit.
Small handbag: Geometric clutches are hands down the best bag to sport with this formula because their neat graphic simplicity packs a modern punch. I like to add a bold clutch to my look so that it stands out against the suit.

Adding girly accessories like dangly bracelets, bangles and earrings or cocktail rings are also effective ways of loosening up the suit look. Remember your party make-up, your confidence and a smile. Bob’s your uncle… your sassy party suit style just made a fabulous impression.

Party wear formula: the timeless frock

Angie — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:17:55 +0000

Several seasons ago I created a cheat sheet for the flop proof holiday party ensemble. The essential guidelines remain unchanged and the components of the formula are as follows:

Dressy dress + cover-up + heels + small handbag (hose is optional)

Creating a party outfit that’s fab for today AND several seasons into the future requires extra attention to details. If you choose the items carefully you’ll be able to wear the same timeless outfit year after year, perhaps changing the look slightly with a different arsenal of accessories each time. This approach to formal dressing saves you time, money and last minute holiday outfit stress. Obviously, if you’d prefer to change up your holiday look each year with a completely new outfit then that’s loads of fun too.

I thoroughly enjoy sporting the latest fashion trends in my every day style, but when it comes to formal wear, I like to look classic, retro and vintage because I adore the aesthetic and it won’t date. The dresses, shoes and accessories that you see in these pictures are many, many years old and still going strong. Some of the items were pricey, while others were moderately priced or dirt cheap, like the black floral feathered brooch on the strappy sequined dress which cost $4 at an H&M sale.

If you’d like to have a current and fun, yet timeless dimension in your party wardrobe capsule, these tips will help you on your way:

Pick an era: Dressy frocks with design features from decades like the 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and 60’s are always in style because they look retro. Shopping vintage stores to get authentically old pieces from these decades can also be a fun experience.
Add the modern element: It’s important to add the “hip factor” to a classic, retro and vintage ensemble to keep things fresh and updated. At the end of the day you still want to look cool when you’re classic! This is easily achievable through accessories and in my case, my short mod pixie haircut instantly acts as one of these accessories. For the first full bottomed frock look, layering several strands of oversized pearls is very “now”. So is the clutch made of ruffled biker zippers that I matched with the red dress, while the bold geometric bag contrasts nicely against the vintage sequined frock.
Texture, texture, texture: Making sure your ensemble is texture-rich from top to toe is the most important part and I cannot stress this enough. This is what makes your outfit interesting and totally yours. Look for dresses and accessories that are made of interesting fabrications and mismatch these fabrications in one outfit. For example, choose a cover-up made of an iridescent texture especially when it’s in the same colour as the dress. Mix shiny with matte, hard with soft, and bright with neutral.

Finish off the look with a bit of party make-up and a trench or relatively dressy Winter coat (no puffers please). For me that means fiery red Chanel lipstick, darker brows and a black sateen trench coat with a huge silver buckle. I like to leave off my specs and chunky watch with this formula. My cell phone keeps the time and Greg becomes my eyes for the evening (no specs!).

Is Christmas-themed apparel a fading tradition?

Angie — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 17:16:46 +0000

The American tradition of wearing holiday knitwear, pins and neckties seems less popular this season. There isn’t an abundance of these items in department stores, and I’ve seen fewer men and women wearing holiday sweaters and ties on the street and at Christmas functions.

Perhaps the look has taken a retail back seat because the sales weren’t strong last season. Perhaps the current economic climate has put a damper on the Christmas spirit. Or perhaps it’s a Seattle thing. Looking at CNN’s iReport on Christmas sweaters, the tradition appears to be alive and well in some places. Are people wearing holiday apparel and accessories in your neck of the woods?

Sticking up for the suit

Angie — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 14:37:06 +0000

A suit is not a wardrobe essential but in many instances it’s a useful item to have at your disposal. The following suit-friendly situations spring to mind:

Formal interviews and presentations
Reserved business settings
Cocktail parties (a suit can look alluring if matched with the right pieces)
Desk to dinner occasions
Fancy nights out
Theater and auctions
Funerals

Think further than the traditional, black wool crepe pants suit paired with a white button down shirt and black pointy-toed pumps (unless that is precisely what the setting calls for). You have several alternatives, including skirt suits, interesting fabric textures, attractive style detailing and a colour that isn’t black.

If you don’t need to conform to a conservative dress code, take your suit look to the next level by dressing it up in cheeky ways:

Wear it on its own with a pretty camisole or shimmery top
Add a skinny belt to the natural waist for an eclectic vibe
Throw in fishnets or textured hose for a bit of edge
Go to town with funky accessories, shoes and handbags
Create a fun androgynous look and watch those heads turn

Nowadays, suits are seldom a look or wardrobe item of choice. And if you’re required to wear one frequently (e.g. for work), you’ll probably gravitate towards a completely different look for other occasions. But I’m defending the suit. It can be a practical, easy and flop-proof option if you think outside the box with the ensemble. Especially as you get older, because it is such an elegant option. A woman in a fabulous suit looks killer.

The pictures below illustrate the point that suits can look far from boring and severe. The belts, the texture of the fabrics, the addition of feminine layering and the boldness of the accessories and shoes creates a completely different suit mood. I have a baby pinstripe black pants suit that I love. It comes out from time to time with a ruffle top, belt, tomato red pumps and zebra print clutch. I’d love to add an interesting skirt suit to my wardrobe as well. Maybe I’ll score one on sale in the next couple of weeks.

(1) A modern, minimalist monochromatic Calvin Klein-esque skirt suit belted to perfection with patent that adds just enough texture to the black-on-black ensemble. (2) A belted cream boucle skirt suit with hose and peep-toe pumps. (3) A romantically styled textured skirt suit with lacy camisole, stockings and of the moment booties. (4) A classic black skirt suit made of an unexpected black crinkle sateen, matched with over the top ankle strapped pumps. (5) A classic one-button pants suit in a bold grey gangster pinstripe matched with an alluring shawl collar top. (6) A traditional black pants suit comes to life with a bright shiny blouse, belt and chunky eye-catching necklace.

Casual holiday parties on a budget: glam up your jeans

Angie — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:41:05 +0000

We’ll probably see loads of cost-conscious casual soirées this year and that’s no problem. We can look and be festive on any budget. The holiday season is here and it’s time to dress up!

A pair of sleek dark wash jeans, or black-black jeans can be the basis of a fabulous casual party outfit. All you need to add is a bit of party edge and here’s how:

Embellished top: think sequins, beads, silk, organza, lurex, satin and shine, shine, shine. Sheer shimmery blouses, beaded knitwear, velvet jackets, lacy camisoles and just about any other type of dressy top will work with a killer pair of jeans.
Dazzling accessory: You might like to keep the top fairly plain and add a fun statement accessory to the look instead. Like a sparkly scarf, glittery belt or gleaming brooch. Funky forum member Antje showcased this look perfectly when she paired a white button-down with a black jacket, waistcoat and oversized red floral brooch (here is the thread in the forum). She looked stylishly festive.
Dressy shoes: Heeled pumps, strappy sandals, bejeweled flats, or a pair of fancy boots will do the trick. Anything shiny and metallic is good.
Small, cheerful handbag: Clutches are a no-brainer, but a small, jovial bag of any description will work.

Rest assured, you have other options if jeans aren’t your thing. But glamming up jeans is flop proof and you’ve probably got most of the components in your closet already, making this outfit especially cost effective.

These pictures capture all the elements, but are not quite as dramatic as I would have liked. I recently purchased a sparkly formal shawl to accompany a ball gown. It doubles up as a scarf and I fully intend to pair it with jeans, a silky top, heels and a clutch for a stylish, but casual holiday look.

Metallic jackets go mainstream

Angie — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:32:19 +0000

The space age trend started coming through last year and there’s no stopping it for 2008. Metallic trapeze jackets, biker styles, blazers and trenches are an ultra modern, fashion forward look that has just recently gone mainstream. Metallic jackets are not created equally and you’ll find that some are more overtly shiny than others. If you like the idea of wearing a silver or gold jacket that’s not that shiny, choose one in a natural fiber like cotton or linen. The effect of metallic fiber (lurex) woven together with natural fiber is more subtle, than metallic fiber woven together with non-organic fiber. I purchased a metallic linen jacket last season and it’s an indispensable neutral in my wardrobe for both daytime and evening.

A collection of subtle and very shiny metallic trapeze jackets, bikers, trenches and blazers. I like this look best with jeans or over a dress.

Platforms: the height of party fashion

Angie — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 15:10:00 +0000

Unfortunately I cannot appreciate the elevation of these shoes, but platforms are the height of party fashion this season. They’ll look festive and mod with cocktail dresses, jeans, flirty skirts and satin skinnies (either bare-legged, or with hose). Pop in foot petals to prevent your feet from sliding and add an insole for cushioning comfort. Statement peds like these are sure to kick your outfit up a notch if you feel stable in 4-5 inch heels. They’re like sculptured works of art on your feet. I’ll admire them from a distance because I draw the line at 3 inches and “2 hours” for party shoes and that scenario needs to include a lot of sitting.

Pretty party platforms with either skinny or chunky soaring heel heights are a must if you like the look and your feet can stand it. It’s a skill that you can add to your resume if you can walk and dance the night away in these. I don’t know how Beyonce does it.

Semi-formal holiday ensembles for men

Angie — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 15:16:51 +0000

Some holiday events aren’t formal enough for a suit and tie, but smart casual won’t do either. The answer is something in between, where a fancy form of business casual never fails. Here’s what you need:

Dress pants in wool blends are best. Stick to flat fronted styles with straight legs (these are generally most flattering). Stay away from casual khakis and cotton rich fabrications because it’s inappropriate to wear this look in Winter.
Dress shirts should be fairly form fitting and preferably a little shiny. This way your look is a step up from everyday office wear. Wear them tucked into pants with an undergarment-T and dressy belt that matches your shoes. The informal untucked shirt look is not suitable in this setting.
Smart shoes in high shine leathers are ideal. Keep them the same colour or darker than the pants and wear dress socks that match.
Blazers are an optional extra, but a chic finish to the look. Plain or pinstriped wool , cashmere or velvet fabrications are great and remember that you can comfortably pair this look with jeans for smart casual occasions. Multi-purpose pieces in our wardrobes are fab.

Plain shirts and micro-geometric patterned shirts are dressier options than broad stripes, and darker colours both for shirts and dress pant look a little swankier than lighter hues. But a pair of black dress pants and white shirt remains a perfect semi formal combination, especially on a darker skin tone.

The casual holiday party for gents

Angie — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 14:44:37 +0000

Suits and tuxes are inappropriate for casual holiday parties at home or at informal restaurants (unless there is a dress code stated on the invitation). Relaxed holiday gatherings are usually smart casual and this calls for a toned down, yet appropriate, holiday look.

Putting together smart casual attire for gents is easy once you have the components:

Jeans – A perfectly fitting fab pair of quality dark wash jeans will take a bloke almost anywhere. Learning to dress smart denim up or down contributes significantly to one’s personal style, so it’s worth investing in a splendid pair. Make sure that the jeans aren’t too short (high water pants shorten the leg).
Shirt – Finding a great shirt is not easy because shirt fits and lengths are inconsistent. A man’s shirt has to fit properly in order for him to look chic (men generally wear smarter shirts at least a size too big). A dressy shirt looks classy when it’s tailored but not too snug, so alter if you need to. And remember to do “the sit test” (a shirt should not pull open at the tummy when sitting). It’s acceptable and hip to leave smart shirts “untucked”, but they need to be short enough to look chic. An untucked shirt that’s too long and big looks sloppy.
Shoes and belt – There is no limit on the dressiness of the shoe. Both lace-up and pull–on will work. Stay away from clumpy peds with thick rubber soles that are unrefined. Wear a matching belt and finish off the look with dark dressy socks.
Blazer – This is an optional but handsome cherry on top. Think boarding school pinstripe blazers in grey, ink or black wool blends and make sure that the fit is perfect both in length and width. The shoulders should not drop and the button should close. Ask for professional assistance if you’re unsure.

A tailored finely knitted polo neck (turtle neck) is a great alternative to a shirt when it’s cold. This is the masculine version of the flop-proof outfit and will serve men well for almost any smart casual occasion.

The untucked shirts on these models are at the correct length. An undergarment T-shirt worn under a button down shirt is always a good idea.