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.

These two products have been around forever. I remember my grandmother putting them to full use when I was a little girl and they are still popular today.

Vaseline (or “petroleum jelly”) is a substance with magical powers. I don’t use the messy goo regularly, but know several stylish and well groomed people who swear by the product. I liked the Budget Fashionista’s wonderful account of its uses. I won’t list them all, but here are the ones I’ve tried myself:

• As a quick facial moisturizer
• As a last minute shoe polish
• As a lip-gloss (I’ve also known ladies who use Vicks, which apparently makes for an effective peppermint gloss)
• As a gel to keep eye-brow hairs in place
• As a remedy to sooth sunburn, windburn minor scrapes, burns and cuts

While it doesn’t have nearly as many uses as versatile Vaseline, my favorite classic remedy is Nivea. I use Nivea hand cream and moisturizing body cream daily to treat sensitive skin that’s prone to eczema. I keep a tiny travel size tin in my handbag at all times. After 30 years, Nivea is still my number one choice for moisturizing hand and body. No need to fix a formula that isn’t broken.

As a side note: I’ve tried most of the facial oils that were recommended after my post on olive oil. Jojoba oil has yielded the best results by far. It’s like liquid gold. I like the scent, texture and absorption qualities. I feel like I’ve hit the beauty jackpot.

You’ve got to love cheap beauty products (about $8 apiece) that keep on doing the trick.

The idea of a sweater dress is appealing. Throw it on with hose and boots and you’re ready to roll. If only they weren’t so hard to fit. The sweater dress guidelines below are by no means flop-proof, but they might help get you on your way:

• Embrace an unstructured look: Many sweater dresses are supposed to look untailored and a little boxy. It’s fine if they float away from the hips and don’t come in at the waist. It’s a cute look if the rest of your outfit is pulled together (good fit on the shoulders, fab hose, nice boots and handbag). Clingy sweater dresses are extremely tricky and not my preferred choice for most body types. I say go with the volume and embrace a less structured look.
• Consider an Empire cut: The baby doll style is a good option if you’re not busty. It’s tailored on top and roomy on the bottom, which makes for a forgiving A-line silhouette.
• Consider a Fit and Flare: Styles that are belted at the waist for structure, but spacious at the bottom for comfort are another good way to go. You can also change out the belt for a more polished appearance.
• Choose heavier knits: This does not necessarily mean “chunky knit” because fine gauge knits can have substance. Knits with weight smooth over the contour of the body instead of grabbing onto curves in an unflattering way. Many sweater dresses are made with flimsy knits and this is usually the deal breaker for me.
• Get the length right: Sweater dresses can’t be hemmed or lengthened, which means that the length has to be perfect upon purchase. I like them best just above the knee. I’m personally finding most sweater dresses too short, but I know that petites are finding them too long. Not easy!
• Test the complete outfit: Make sure you try a potential sweater dress with hose and boots before you say no. Getting the ensemble right can make all the difference.

Add the desire for non-scratchy wool, a pretty colour and a flattering neckline to the above variables and the search gets even harder. It’s a miracle we’re wearing sweater dresses at all.

I’ve been lucky to find two that I love but it’s taken two seasons and lots of experimentation. One is an empire cut and the other is a sack-like shape. Several possibilities opened up to me once I got my head around the fact that I could still look and feel pulled together wearing an unstructured style.

Have you had luck finding a sweater dress, or have you given up? Any more tips on how to find this elusive item?

Four sweater dress styles that are generally more flattering: an empire cut, two fit and flares and a sack dress. The weights of the knits look pretty substantial too. Be sure to check out bluefly for sweater dress deals.

Congratulations Corey! You win the $250 T.J. Maxx and Marshalls gift voucher. You were a clear winner so we didn’t need to use the tie-breaker question, but the competition was fierce.

• Tanya and Cynthia were very close behind, but weren’t quite as complete on question 2. We accepted “yes”, but a more accurate answer is that T.J. Maxx and Marshalls carry both in-season and previous season merchandise. Bonus points went to those who mentioned that more than 85% of the stock is in-season.
• Christine, Cherylp and Mishie were also in contention, but lost by a hair on question 1. We gave extra points to people that went beyond the information in the TJX corporate website, or at least acknowledged in their answers that these numbers applied to end 2007.
• Antje deserves an honorable mention. She went completely above and beyond, citing her sources and calling the companies to get accurate information on the number of stores. Sadly, she missed on question 4. Although these stores don’t carry couture clothing, they do carry couture brands. Designers like Jean Paul Gaultier and Marc Jacobs run both couture and prêt-a-porter collections, and it’s their prêt-a-porter collections that you’ll find at some T. J. Maxx stores.
• People were tripped up by question 5 on the differences between the two TJX off-price chains. Many answers talked about Marshalls, but few mentioned the aspects that are unique to T. J. Maxx.

On behalf of the TJX team, thank you so much for your thoughtful suggestions regarding the shopping experience. It was great to see the positive sentiment about the TJX concept and their retail chains in your responses. The chart below shows the four clear themes that emerged in the feedback: improvements to the organization of the store, improvements to the dressing rooms, more information regarding the stock in the store, and a wider range of available sizes.

Top suggestion topics and the percentage of entrants who mentioned them.