It’s that time if year again! What are we going to wear to the office Christmas party, a dressy dinner or the New Year’s celebration? I’m getting many questions along these lines on “Ask Angie”, so I thought I’d devote a few blog entries to the topic.

Your outfit choices for such occasions are always the same. Before I delve into specifics – you’ll need to select one of the following ensembles:

• Little black dress – there is nothing more fashionable and appropriate to wear at the moment then that little black dress. Black remains the strongest fashion colour this season and nothing is quite as festive, elegant or girly as a dress.
• Cocktail dress – if black is not for you; try something red, smoky grey, brown, blue or metallic. Iridescent fabrications add interest and depth, and tend to look better-end and more sophisticated. If you are uncomfortable wearing a dress that is flimsy, select a fully lined and structured style instead. You might not find a huge selection in colourful cocktail dresses at the moment with anything black being the order of the evening.
• Dressy suit – either a pants or skirt suit will do the trick. Pant suits capture this season’s fashion moment a little more than skirts (in keeping with the androgynous trend). Dressy means tuxedo style pants, satin piped lapels and velvet trim – something a little more then what you’d wear to work.
• Dressy separates – these are a particularly good choice if you have a few occasions to go to as you’ll be able to mix and match your items cost effectively. Dressy slacks or skirts teamed with shimmery or sequined tops and a formal trench coat or jacket will have you looking the part for any formal occasion.

Once you’ve chosen one of the ensembles above – the finishing touches are also always the same:

• Heels – you’ll ruin your outfit with flat shoes. You’ll need height to create that long lean line, even if it’s only with a one inch kitten heel.
• Small bag – no totes or slouchy hobos. Dainty clutches or glittery evening bags are best.
• Jewelry – choose one piece to wear with your outfit and make a statement with it.

This party season cheat sheet will hopefully give you a better idea of what to look for when you shop for an ensemble. You might already have the outfit and merely want to update the accessories. Enjoy your social function and make an entrance with what you wear!

Two fashion forward party ensembles from Max Studio.

The answer to this question depends entirely on your lifestyle and your preferences. Can you wear jeans to work? Do you like to wear jeans? Do you wear jeans every day?

• If you wear jeans every day you’ll need at least four pairs. Five if you don’t do laundry often. You can vary the lengths and washes as you wish, but ensure that you have options for flats, heels and smart casual dressing.
• If you can’t wear jeans to work but like to wear them outside of work, you’ll need to have at least two pairs. Both pairs preferably dark blue (for maximum versatility, the slimming effect and the fact that they will fade anyway), and at different lengths – one for flats and one for heels.
• If you seldom wear jeans you should invest in a single pair in a dark wash. Commit to either flats or heels and then buy them at the appropriate length.

If you have more than five pairs of jeans hanging in your closet – make sure that you actually wear all of them. If you don’t, ask yourself why not, and either have them altered or pass them along to somebody who will wear them.

While the right coat can increase your style quotient; the wrong one can do precisely the opposite. We need to be mindful of what works best for our body types.

Here are a few guidelines:

• Belted styles with soft self fabric ties are the best option for curvier figures. They enhance your shape and give you plenty of definition – both tied and untied. Single breasted styles are best for ladies with ample bosom, while double breasted styles are super for the less endowed.
• Trapeze styles are best on tall women. Petites tend to disappear in all that volume. Above the knee, more subtle A-line versions of this style are a better choice for shorter ladies.
• Classic single breasted princess seam coats are the ideal choice for well-endowed ladies. Avoid high buttoning double breasted styles and visible waist seams at all costs. A V-neck revere collar style with princess seams (seams that run from bust point to hem) will give you extra definition. Keeping your coat unbuttoned will accentuate that long lean line that you are looking for. This style is also another excellent option for curvier ladies.
• A-line Empire styles are perfect for pretty pear shapes. Large collars, puffed sleeves, double breasted styles, asymmetrical buttoning and oversized buttons are fun details to have on the top half of this type of coat.
• High buttoning, double breasted military styles are perfect for slight, less well-endowed women. Short pea coat styles or longer versions with cinched in belts will give you the shape that you are looking for.

While coat styles and body types may differ – there is one rule that always applies: keep your coat fitted snugly on the shoulders. This will automatically give you the tailoring and structure that you need for your most flattering look.

A belted style from Nordstrom. Classic single breasted and a-line asymmetrical styles from Macy’s. These styles happen to be maxi in length, which are not suited to petite heights of 5”3’ and below. Petites look best in coats that are no longer then knee length.

Coats are my favourite item of clothing. Whether it’s smart or casual, the correct coat never fails to make you look poised, elegant and sophisticated. A well-chosen coat can pull together almost any ensemble. A fabulous coat will kick your outfit up a few notches. As with boots, the assortment of coat styles available is growing each season. Many of the styles are timeless and with some savvy decisions you’ll be able to wear your coats season after season.

Coats can be divided into various categories:

• Trapeze – this unstructured A-line retro ‘50’s style coat is the look-of-the-season. Its voluminous character is spot on with the hottest trends. Its three quarter sleeve lengths might be off putting if you tend to get cold easily, but wearing the style with long gloves is a good solution.
• Trench – a classic single or double breasted belted style that Burberry made famous almost a century ago. It‘s usually best in some sort of water resistant fabric and always looks chic no matter what you wear it with.
• Double breasted – this military-inspired, structured style is sharp, crisp and immaculately tailored. Good at both above and below the knee, it’s another great option to capture this season’s fashion moment.
• Belted – coats that cinch in, tie differently at the waist. Self fabric ties are most popular, but actual structured belts are a more updated version. This versatile style is notorious for hiding a multitude of sins.
• Asymmetrical – these are coats at any length and style that have asymmetrical button stands. They are eye catching, interesting and especially effective when extremely tailored.   
• Toggle – these styles might remind you of your childhood but are just as stylish for you today if you are after something more playful. Toggle coats have toggle buttons and some sort of hood (usually detachable). They are most fun in a bright colour.
• Classic – the single breasted revere collar knee-length coat is the ultimate timeless option. This style suits all body types and is most flattering with princess seams (seams that run down from bust point to hem). A detachable fake fur collar and maxi length will add an unexpected level of old movie star glamour to this style.
• Evening – these coats are made of evening wear fabrics like brocade, velvet or silk blends. Embroidery is also common. Evening coats resemble dresses when buttoned up which is particularly useful for the party season.
• Empire line – coats with empire lines also give us that retro feeling. They are immensely feminine and neat as a pin.
• Cape – this dramatic high fashion statement is not for everyone – Dracula and Sherlock Holmes spring to mind.  Their unstructured quality can be unflattering.  If you have your heart set on one – consider a cropped version so that the rest of your shape shines through. 
• Parka – these coats are fabulous! A form fitting parka is the perfect answer to ultra casual dressing. Your wardrobe is not complete without one.
• Shearling and Fur – make sure that the fur is faux. These toasty Nordic inspired styles are super for casual weekend attire and the après ski setting.

There is an abundant array of coat styles to choose from this season – take your pick. With black and grey as the fashion colours, you might battle to get your colour of choice. Be mindful of the type of coat that is best suited to your height and body type (a topic that I will cover tomorrow). In the meantime – wrap up with style!

Belted (princess seams)                 Toggle                 Classic (princess seams)

  Empire Style                    Cropped Cape                 Structured Parka

Coats from Bebe, Banana Republic, Nordstrom, French Connection, Bloomingdales and Old Navy.